As Whitefish’s own radio station celebrates its first year of broadcasting, The Big Fish adds to its collection of Montana musicians when Rob Quist premieres his Thursday morning musical program this week. “This new collaboration with Rob and WhitefishRadio.com is just a natural,” says owner Ross Strauser.
Known across Montana for his singing, songwriting, and storytelling, Quist will play music that captures themes of the West from his four-decade career. “Rob also has a love for Montana history,” explains Strauser. “I’m really looking forward to hearing some great stories that will take us back in time.”
Quist, a native Montanan and founding member of the Mission Mountain Wood Band, has toured the U.S., Canada, and Japan with his shows and was recently inducted into the University of Montana’s Fine Arts Department Hall of Fame. With nine CDs to his credit, his original music reached Billboard’s Top 100 and independent charts. Martin Murphey, Loretta Lynn, Mission Mountain Wood Band, and The Montana Band have recorded his songs.
The new show will contain music laden with stories about the country’s history and people of the West. “To me, [that] is infinitely more interesting than writing commercial songs,” says Quist. Friends whom he considers to be “some of the greatest musicians and songwriters in America” will join him on the show. “We also plan to do a lot of jamming on Whitefish Radio,” he adds, “with new songs that are just being born and maybe some that aren’t quite ready for show time yet, but are in the process of being made.”
To listen to Quist’s debut show live on Thursday, Mar. 6, click “live stream” on www.whitefishradio.com. If you miss his 10 a.m. show, pick it up on demand beginning the following day.