Big Sky Boneheads

This week we were joined by Montana musical legends John McLellan and Josh Keehr of El Wencho! We got hear all about their musical beginnings and their original band The Clinton's, how they've kept their love for music alive over the last 25 years, what they've defined as their style and a lot more! This was a fun talk with two Montana originals that we know you'll enjoy. Learn all about El Wencho, their upcoming dates and more here!

This week we were joined the host and producer of Into High Country Jason Matzinger to talk about how he's made his life presenting Montana's outdoors. From his early stress about hunting success to staying authentic to the audience to balancing his love for the outdoors with his family life and much more. Into High Country

This week we were joined by Will Summers and Matty Clark from Horse Soldier Bourbon Whiskey. Will was travelling through Montana for a series of Whiskey and War Stories events and shared the origin story of the brand, his military history as one of the Horse Soldier Green Berets featured in the film 12 Strong along with his plans for the future and what he's taken from his time in the service to life as a civilian businessman. Horse Soldier Bourbon Whiskey

This week we got to spend some time with Comedian Rodney Norman and his lovely wife Theresa as they were making their way across Montana on Rodney's comedy tour. We talked about Rodney's start in comedy, his emergence as a social media super star, the responsibility that goes with having an audience of over a million people and some of special moments he's had along the way. Check out Rodney's homepage here.

On this episode Mike and Scott went on a road trip to the Kenetrek Boots headquarters in Bozeman to talk with President Jim Winjum and Social Media Coordinator Chas Arthur. Many may not know that Kenetrek was born and raised in Montana and remains so to this day. Jim tells the story of the company and how his passion for the outdoors and a pair of bad feet guided him in created the company and what it's like to have seen it grow into the worldwide brand that it is today.

This week we were honored to be joined by Derek VanLuchene who has turned the unspeakable into a life dedicated to finding missing children. Derek shared the tragic story of the abduction and murder of his 8 year old brother and his subsequent promise to help those facing the same unspeakable circumstance. A long time law enforcement officer, Derek has also started Ryan United and works tirelessly as an advocate for missing children and their families. This was an incredibly special episode of the show and we thank Derek for taking the time. Learn more about Derek here. Visit Ryan United here.

This week were lucky enough to be joined by Kit and Trevor Johnson - the father and son duo behind Kit's Tackle. The two of them shared their stories about growing up in Montana, learning to love all of the outdoors, turning their passion into a growing business and a whole lot more. This was an inspiring conversation with a couple of guys that are getting the absolute most out of life here in Montana and are sharing it with the world. Kit's Tackle Homepage

This week with Mike out Scott spent some time with Montana rodeo legend Jonnie Jonckowski. From her ground breaking bull riding to the film chronicling her journey this was a fascinating conversation with a true Montana original.

This week we had an opportunity to sit down with the truly inspiring duo behind the Chasers of the Light. From Tyler's Typewriter Poet book series to the pair's work in photography to their Autism advocacy and all of the crazy world travels they've been on along the way this was a one of a kind conversation with a couple of true originals. This conversation hit close to home and we're sure it'll be worth your time. Find Tyler and Sarah at Chasers of the Light.

This week we were joined by Max Pigman, the owner of Lewis and Clark Brewing and the host of the 2024 Montana State Brewing Awards! Max took us behind the scenes on building one of Montana's biggest breweries and what goes into all of the different businesses he now operates out of L&C. We also talked about the growth of the brewing scene throughout Montana and the inaugural Montana State Beer Awards!

This week Mike and Scott are joined by MLB Umpire and Montana native Brian Knight. As the snow piles up here at home Brian gets us all ready for Spring as he talks about his journey to the Majors and what fuels his love for the game of baseball. From his hometown beginnings in Helena to his very first game in the Big Leagues to how he deals with mouthy managers and much more - this was a really fun talk and a great way for us all to get our minds off of the winter weather outside!

This week the guys talked Montana spirits and cigars with Ken Weinheimer and JC Sampson of Rocky Mountain Liquor, Capital Club Cigar Lounge and Tatanka Cigars! From what goes into starting your own cigar brand to Montana liquor laws to the opening of a brand new business in Helena and beyond this was a really fun conversation about turning passions into big business. Check out everything from Ken and JC at the links below: RML on Facebook RML on Instagram Montana Alcohol Free

This week Mike and Scott were joined by Montana Historian, teacher and Interpretive Ranger Austin Haney. Austin is a self described nerd who has been fascinated by Montana's history since his childhood and pursues it with passion to this day. This was a really fun conversation about the biggest moments - and misconceptions - about Montana's history along with a number of off the path adventures and a couple of cautionary tales about making a road trip with a history buff. Humanities Montana Email Austin: Ahaney78@outlook.com

This week the guys were joined by Mark Ward, the creator of a Montana institution that is the Montana Outdoor Radio Show. Mark talked about the beginnings of his statewide syndication effort, the cast of characters that have become a part of his radio family, his favorite Montana adventures and a ton more! Check out The Montana Outdoor Radio Show homepage.

This week Jim Kalafat/Starr joined Mike and Scott to talk about his life growing up in Montana, his college football days and his eventual starring role in American Gladiators! This was a great conversation about stardom, bar fights, what it is about hailing from The Last Best Place that makes Jim so proud and a lot more. We also touched on the struggles his brother - and fellow Montana football legend - has been dealing with since an accident in 2023 and what it means to truly be humble. Hope you enjoy this week's episode and please get more from Jim at the link below. See Jim Kalafat/Starr in Instagram See Jim Kalafat/Starr on Facebook

This week Mike and Scott were joined by social media superstar and native Montanan Trinity Vandenacre! Trinity walked us through how he built his unique Life in the West brand and what goes into the balance of entertaining and educating his audience on what it means to live an authentic Montana ranch life. From the basics of agriculture to the politics of land management to light-up pink hats and much, much more this was a really fun and enlightening conversation touching on so much of what it means to live here in Big Sky Country. You can find out more about Trinity on the Life In The West homepage at all of the links below! Facebook Instagram YouTube Tik Tok Twitter Pinterest

The University of Montana Grizzlies are playing for the FCS National Championship on Sunday, Jan 7th and Griz legends Bill Cockhill and Ryan Fetherston joined BSB to talk about the game, the Griz program and share some of their memories from their time with the team. Check out Good Ol' Grizzlies for ways to help the Montana Griz program!

The Big Sky Boneheads make their 2023 debut just in time for 2023 to be over! Mike and Scott take a look back at some of the biggest stories from 2023 here in Montana from spy balloons to UFC champions to the ever present fake Montanans. Big Sky Boneheads is back with a slate of new guests and shows planned for 2024 but first a look at the year we missed.

Mike and Scott are back from the Thanksgiving holiday with a recap of Scott's trip to Bozeman for the Brawl of the Wild and a truly unique conversation with Montana artist Bob McEachern. Bob is the creative force behind Squirrel Warriors and he tells us all about how he got started, what it's been like working in this unique part of the art world and what might be next! Check out the Squirrel Warriors homepage.

The biggest football game of the year is here as the Montana Grizzlies head to Bozeman to face in-state rival the Montana State Bobcats and everyone is getting in on the action! ESPN College Gameday will be live from Bozeman, Scott Hirschi will be attending the game and a very cold, snowy Montana sky will take center stage for kickoff. This week the guys talk about the game and Scott gets some Griz perspective from former Montana Grizzly player and broadcaster Scott Gurnsey as we get closer to kickoff!