Bozeman Magazine

Mission Spotlight After escaping a dry, fundamentalist town in eastern Washington, three of the members of Mission Spotlight moved to the big city (Portland, Ore.) where they met two bourbon-drinking atheists who would help them fulfill their dream of starting a country/indie/folk band. The band’s sound is built around singer/songwriter Kurt Foster’s baritone voice. Foster grew up in the church in Southern California. His musical education was a a mix of hymns, Joy Division on the radio and the Buck Owens and Gram Parsons songs family friend and country musician Jann Browne taught him. After moving to the Northwest in 1990 and playing in several indie rock bands, Foster’s divorce helped him find focus in the stories he wanted to tell in his music. Once the alcohol haze of those years lifted, Mission Spotlight was born. The band explores the classic country and western themes of love and loss and mixes them with the post-punk rock sounds they grew up on. Sad stories, soaring vocal melodies and dramatic guitar hooks. It’s more Magnolia Electric Company than George Jones. Mission Spotlight performs regularly at the Pacific Northwest’s finest venues. They have been privileged to play with greats like Sturgill Simpson, American Aquarium, and Lindi Ortega. The band’s first two albums (Everything That Floats and Keep The Good Ones Close) were recorded with the legendary Larry Crane at Jackpot! Studios. Mission Spotlight’s newest album (Remember The Time) finds the band collaborating with one of their musical heroes, Jason Lytle (Grandaddy). The band met Lytle through mutual friend Howe Gelb and quickly bonded over a love of the wilderness and early country music. The new album (coming in Sept. 2018) was recorded at Lytle’s home studio in Modesto, Calif. and The Map Room in Portland. Sam Platts and the Great Plainsmen Southwest Montana’s Sam Platts and the Great Plainsmen play honky-tonk music with a unique sound guided by tradition. Sam Platts leads the group and is backed by solid rhythm, bass and harmony, creating music that is meant to be danced to. Songs range from originals written by Platts to traditional country staples, led by his vocals and guitar. The band’s focus is on making country music—while it may not fit on mainstream country radio, the young group’s commitment to their sound sets them apart. They have played around the world for a wide range of audiences, including festivals in France and China. The group originally formed in Coeur d’ Alene Idaho, but now call the small mountain town of Pony, Montana, home. Platts grew up in southern Wyoming, listening to music while driving around his grandfather’s ranch and cultivating a passion for traditional country music that few young people have today. His grandfather’s love for polka and accordion playing prompted Platts to learn the instrument himself, which now adds variety to the band’s music. His father runs Stonetree Guitars, which Platts worked for throughout high school. He plays guita