Mission Mountain Wood Band story premieres in Libby Nov. 5
Never Long Gone: MontanaPBS program in Libby
by MontanaPBS
October 23, 2009
MontanaPBS will present a special 7pm screening of its new documentary: NEVER LONG GONE: The Mission Mountain Wood Band Story on Thursday, November 5th at the Dome Theater in Libby. This will be the first big screen viewing of a MontanaPBS program in Libby. The community was chosen as it is the home town of Mission Mountain Wood Band member, Steve Riddle. The screening is free, but contributions to MontanaPBS – Montana’s only public television service – will be accepted at the event.
NEVER LONG GONE recounts the spirited journey Rob Quist, Steve Riddle, Terry Robinson, Christian Johnson and Greg Reichenberg took after forming the Mission Mountain Wood Band (M2WB) in 1971; how they became one of the nation's hottest performance bands and put thousands of miles on a converted 1955 Scenic Cruiser bus. Singing ballads, old timey tunes and original songs like "Mountain Standard Time," they continually perfected their musicianship and professionalism to the point where they were guest stars on national TV programs.
The program includes rarely seen footage of the guys as they toured around the country and highlights the unique time in which they grew. By the early 70’s, the war in Vietnam was beginning to wind down. The first Godfather came out and M*A*S*H premiered. The Eagles hit it big with "Take It Easy." Bob Dylan's plaintive, nasal cry echoed down dormitory hallways. The Allman Brothers fused "southern" to "rock." Don McLean's "American Pie" ran eight minutes, 28 seconds - five minutes longer than a pop song had the right to. So when five young men from the University of Montana came blazing out of the chutes, flailing away at banjos, mandolins, strumming guitars, thwapping the bass, and kicking out drum beats like wild men, Montanans were ready to party. Their rousing mix of music defied category, generations, social strata - even the contentious politics of the times.
As a retrospective, NEVER LONG GONE is a tribute to these down home Montanans, as well as their fans, friends and admirers. It reminds us of the wild abandon, often stormy times, and the pure joy The Mission Mountain Wood Band brought — and continues to bring — to so many ready to boogie in the aisles.
Screenings of the program will also take place at the UC Theater in Missoula on November 4th and at Glacier High School in Kalispell on November 6th. The program will air on MontanaPBS across the state on November 15th.
Photo courtesy MontanaPBS.
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