fbpx

Dunnigan Returns to the Stage in Whitefish

Fundraiser for Dunnigan to be held this week in Whitefish

By Justin Franz

John Dunnigan is back.

One of the Flathead Valley’s most recognizable local performers is set to return to local stages on May 28 at a benefit concert that will be spread across four venues in downtown Whitefish.

Dunniganfest will feature at least a dozen bands and solo acts and much of the proceeds will go toward covering Dunnigan’s medical bills after he was sidelined with pancreatitis earlier this year. The May 28 concert will feature Dunnigan’s first concert at home since January and kick off a series of performances this summer at the Great Northern Bar, The Boat Club and the Craggy Range Bar and Grill.

“I can’t wait to be back,” Dunnigan said recently.

For $20, concertgoers will have access to all four downtown venues on the night of May 28, including the Great Northern, Craggy Range, Crush Lounge and Tupelo Grille. The lineup includes God Fearing Women, Smart Alex, The Bad Larrys, and Dunnigan’s son’s band, the Lil’ Smokies. Earlier this month, Dunnigan performed at a festival in Yakima, Washington with his son and he said it was great to be back on stage.

After the benefit concert, Dunnigan will also start playing at his old haunts again, including Tuesday nights at Craggy, Thursdays at the Great Northern and Saturday nights at The Boat Club. In mid-July, Dunnigan will also hit the road again playing at fairs across the Pacific Northwest.

Dunnigan said two months after he had a surgery to remove part of his pancreas, doctors have given him a clean bill of health, although he is constantly keeping an eye on his diet.

“It’s like getting bitten by a snake,” he said. “You’re always going to be worried it will happen again when you’re walking in the tall grass.”