One of the first things Leif Routman and his bandmates did after forming the folk-rock group, Inland Isle, was head to a cabin in the woods. The four veterans of the Jackson music scene — Leif, Dusty Nichols, Pat Chadwick, and Shawn Fleming — packed up and hid out in a remote, scenic cabin in
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During the summer of 1995, Kyle Johnson walked into Snake River Brewing and was awestruck by the sounds of keyboardist Keith Philips. Kyle introduced himself and began taking lessons with the late musician — the two developing a close friendship. “Keith was my hero and mentor and I still get choked up talking about him
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The uproariously tongue-in-cheek band Strumbucket weaves together a web of genres and a vast array of sounds into every performance — from blues and country to funk and rock, and all the way to samba and reggae. The lively quintet makes music for everybody. “In one show we can have everyone’s foot tapping at some
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Mark Gocke’s spring ritual is to sit at the water’s edge with a camera, awaiting the song of the loon as they return to nest in Jackson Hole. The waiting game he plays each May paid off one year. “This loon started calling to another loon and then a wolf started howling back to the
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The obvious irony of Jackson is the solitude of nature that’s disrupted by the bustle of humans. The bark of a dog, the splash of a kid jumping into String Lake, and a park ranger’s tale, all interrupt nature’s native noise. Sound is an often-overlooked aspect of Teton County because the visuals tend to overwhelm
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Duane Betts’ first visit to Jackson Hole made a lasting impression on the musician. After a friend insisted that he join in on a trip, the two landed in the Tetons and made a stop for groceries after leaving the airport. There, a serendipitous encounter would change his life. “That’s when I met my wife
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At first blush, it’s easy to think that hawk-like vision is the most critical sense when casting a fly to a wary trout. To some extent, it’s true; watching the play of shadows and the patterns of a current can lend signs to an attentive angler. But turning your attention to auditory clues can take
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As an 18-year-old, Ned Brown knew that he belonged in the mountains — a place where he could find solace clipping into his bindings and making turns each day. He left Southern California and plopped down in Colorado, attending the University of Colorado in Boulder and studying business and marketing. While going to school, he
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Thirty-some years ago, the Jackson band Loose Ties were on the cusp of breaking into the national scene. They won the band contest at the 1986 Telluride Bluegrass Festival and the following year, placed second behind Alison Krauss & Union Station in a national ranking of best new bluegrass bands. Fresh out of college, the
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Once Victor, Idaho’s dive bar, West Side Yard (formerly known as Timberline Bar & Grill) was purchased by Wind and Seth Mills in February 2018. The two brothers had big dreams, transforming the dingy and outdated building into a modern piece of functioning art. The Mills brothers had just returned from a trip to Thailand
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Daniela Botur speaks softly, her voice gentle and soothing even when speaking over the noise of a restaurant in downtown Jackson. She seems grounded and soft, with no rough edges to be seen. It’s this serene presence that adds to the power of her work. Whether she sits silently while running a mallet gently around
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Though he has been guiding for Barker-Ewing Float Trips for 13 years, Grant Bishop is still the “youngster” on the oars. When he started working on the Snake River at age 18, he was following in the footsteps of his father and uncle. His dad rowed for High Adventure Whitewater and his uncle owned High
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Since the dawn of her career, Nicole Garrett (aka Nicole Madison) has played many roles. And whether she’s crooning toe-tapping jazz tunes alongside a pianist or performing a self-written cabaret, her performance is utterly captivating. Her energy is at once graceful and commanding, magnetic, yet bold — and everything she does shines with authenticity. No
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Popular country music blares from the speakers, punctuated by the announcer’s sharp-shooting drawl. Horse hooves kick up dust, a rope cracks in the summer air, and people cheer for their favorite roper, bull rider, or barrel racer. This is the soundtrack of the fairgrounds in Jackson Hole — it’s a collection of sounds that’s steeped
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Busking on the subway late at night is one of multi-instrumentalist and composer Ben Musser’s favorite memories from his raucous, music-filled life in New York City. While living in Brooklyn, he and the bass player of his band, Benyaro, would head to Bedford Avenue Station at 1 a.m. or later. “That neighborhood at the time,
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One of AJ DeRosa’s earliest memories of boating is the sound. AJ, owner of Jackson Hole Vintage Adventures (JHVA), recalls being lulled to sleep as a kid by the sound of water lapping against his uncle’s flat-bottomed boat. Since then, AJ has floated in many kinds of boats — plastic canoes, rubber rafts, fiberglass dories,
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To say Shannon McCormick is a fixture in the Teton Valley music scene — in both Wyoming and Idaho — is a profound understatement. Known for his trademark sombrero at summer festivals, Shannon is passionate about live music. He references Daniel Levitin’s book, This Is Your Brain on Music, as he describes getting goose bumps
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What are the sounds of your perfect summer? For some, it’s the near silence of nature — the soft rustle of aspen leaves, the meeting of foot and trail, or the soft flutter of a bird overhead. This may be background noise to some — but for hunters, foragers, and outdoor enthusiasts, these sounds offer
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It’s been a surreal year to say the least, but here in the least populated state in the U.S. we’re built for — and in some cases, intentionally chose — a life with more space and fewer neighbors. We recognize that isolation isn’t always a bad thing, and we know how to find comfort and
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Every winter, Jackson Hole film production companies brave subzero conditions to capture breathtaking footage showcasing extreme adventures on jagged, snow-covered peaks. Many talented local film producers also use their cinematic skills to shine a light on important conservation issues—such as climate change. Teton Gravity Research (TGR), founded by brothers Steve and Todd Jones, is synonymous
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Winter is a challenging time of year for wildlife. Deep snow makes it difficult for animals to find food or move quickly to escape threats. Just traveling through the snow—especially in bitterly cold temperatures—expends a tremendous amount of energy. Taylor Phillips, owner of Jackson Hole Ecotour Adventures, knows how important it is to protect wildlife
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