Written by Dana Turvey
The Mission Mountain Wood Band will play a long-awaited return to Tahoe on Friday, Nov. 27 – the night after Thanksgiving. Booked into the Harrah’s-Tahoe South Shore Room, MMWB will once again charm the crowd with their inimitable blend of bluegrass, rock, country and whatever else the band may blend in that night.
In their old days of touring, the boys from Mission Mountain covered the country many times, traveling to over 300 gigs each year. In the decade they were originally together, the band opened for The Allman Brothers, The Grateful Dead, Bonnie Raitt, Jimmy Buffet and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, to list just a few.
Mission Mountain Wood Band currently consists of four original band members, who met circa 1970 while at the University of Montana. Rob Quist is on guitar and banjo, Greg Reichenberg is the longtime drummer, Steve Riddle plays bass and Christian Johnson is the multi-instrument wiz – switching deftly and often from electric guitar, mandolin and fiddle. In 1987, the fifth original player – Terry Robinson – was killed in a plane crash with his then-current group, The Montana Band.
Lately, his place on stage-left has been filled by another Montanan, singer/songwriter, Tim Ryan. Of his current gig with MMWB, Ryan says, “Right now, people want to go to live shows. After a Mission Mountain concert, you’ll hear people say ‘That was a great evening, and you know what? Those guys entertained me.’ Many acts now, if they lost power – no video, no lights – it’d be over. Mission Mountain can handle any venue there is – they are master performers.”
Bruce Young
Ryan, who has penned songs for many top Nashville acts, has written four new tunes that Mission Mountain has been adding to their line-up. But, as Rob Quist points out, “Songs that will probably never leave our set list are Mountain Standard Time, Sweet Maria and Take a Whiff On Me.”
For a group who has always ‘considered the audience the sixth member of our band,’ check them out personally – the show is Nov. 27 at 7:30pm, Harrah’s South Shore Room. Tickets are $25. 800-786-8208
Jim Reiley
10 years ago
Gentlemen,
It is so good to know that the Wood Band did not die on that fateful July 4th so very long ago. I was living in Missoula when it happened and never forgot about that day. I remember Terry from a bar that you played in Bozeman called the “Corner Pockets” it was a pool hall with a stage, as I remember you guys were there and there was next to no-one in the place except some friends and the band. I remember Terry saying if we had any questions about the band, how you got started and so on to just ask at any time. This had to be around the late 70’s or early 80’s but it is ac clear as if it were yesterday, he was such a gentleman and so was the band, great memory. It was not that long after this the band was on the “Cheryl Ladd Christmas Show” from Lake Tahoe, you guys were on your way. I am not sure how much space is left but if you could send me any information on how to buy a CD of your past and current hits, I would be most great-full. I have a cassette of Rob Quist’s that he did in Missoula that I have all but wore out and would like to get more. I have moved to NY but my heart belongs to Montana and always will, I am sure that you know this feeling all to well when you are on the road. Okay please send me any information ASAP and maybe you will be in NY someday.
Thanks from a fellow Montanan
jim burrows
10 years ago
guys i dont think you remember me but when you first came to new jersey and played great adventure i was the guy name jim who got you guys set up with a camp ground and took you guys to my house for a home cooked meal. i remember every moring when you guys were at great adventure i had to pick you up and take you do do your gig there. well guys i am still around and still remember the great time we hand jim burrows if you ever want to write me back e mail its jimb88843@aol.com would love to hear from you again