Locals flock to return of Live on Stage

“One of the best  open mics in the country.”

Those are the words that Live On Stage performer Mark Williams used to describe the Live on Stage series hosted by the Hill City Arts Council (HCAC) and  held at High Country Guest Ranch. Williams was one of three open mic performers who graced the stage for the first of six  Live on Stage shows this season.

Williams played four songs, three of which were original. He gets his inspiration for his songs from viewing life from a Chrsitian viewpoint. His song “Angel Wings” was written for a little girl who died.

“There are specific stories behind each song I write,” he said.

Williams has played at Live on Stage before and got to know most of the performers from the Chute Rooster. He says Live on Stage is like being with family.

“It’s very cool. It’s very well supported. It’s one of the better open mics, probably in the nation. I really think that,” he said.

HCAC board president Kristie Van Bogart was “really pleased” with the turnout for the first Live on Stage. Over 100 people came out to hear Williams, Kim Plender, Paul Larson and JJ Kent. Kent played a straight set of George Strait songs to the delight of many fans in the crowd.

Live on Stage has new entertainers for each show. It also has a new sound man for the season. Craig Pitt is a retired cop-turned-rancher at High Country who is now the Live on Stage sound man “by default.”

Pitt says each year the High Country staff looks forward to the start of Live on Stage.

“At the very last one we’re all so sad that it’s over,” he said. “The anticipation, the buildup, the excitement of this starting again, it’s like one of those things when you’re a kid. We got a great turn out for the first event. And they always build up from here.”

Pitt says Live on Stage brings the community together.

“We’re not doing this for any other reason  than what you see here right now,” he said. “All these people socializing who wouldn’t normally get together on a Saturday night. That’s what it’s all about.”

The next Live on Stage is Jan. 20 and features performer Galen Huebner and The Noise in the Bar Band and a dinner sponsored by the Hill City Wrestling team.

Tanner Davis, head coach of the wrestling team, says the team is excited to be a part of Live on Stage.

“It gives the kids a chance to reach out to the community and let the community see who makes up the wrestling team,” he said.

Like Pitt, he also says it’s a time for socializing, where community members can ask wrestlers questions and tell stories.

Dinner begins at 5:30 p.m. with music starting at 6 p.m.

Van Bogart knows it’s Burning Beetle weekend in Custer but points out that the Beetle is at 3:30 p.m. and there is plenty of time for people to do bot.