“ When you come in one day you hear bluegrass. You come in another day, it’ s folk— then blues to rock and roll to honky tonk— like a little bit of everything.”
— Caitlin“ Spanks” Spangler
While he uses his connections made from living on the coasts and from touring the Midwest, Scott said finding talent much closer isn’ t all that difficult.
“ There’ s plenty of people down here that are touring all over,” he said.
Musicians usually have a tough time booking shows on Thursday nights, so the music series can provide gigs for artists on their way through the Midwest.
Many acts have brought people here who have never been to Brown County.
Nashville, Tennessee-based musician Tim Easton contacted him after a recent show, Scott said.
“ He made a point of texting me— actually the next day— and saying,‘ I just fell in love with this place. And I can’ t wait to come back and I’ m going to bring my daughter. Can you book me again next year?’”
Banister and frequent audience member Bob Blass said Scott has brought something special to the region in giving the audience a venue for music they don’ t generally hear live, while at the same time choosing the artists in such a way as to keep things fresh.
Blass, a fan of the Hill Folk series, has dabbled in choir, banjo, and saxophone. He says while he loves music, he is not a musician.
“ For a town our size, we just got a multitude of talented musicians here,” Blass said.
One of those local musicians, Caitlin“ Spanks” Spangler, said she especially enjoys the Hill Folk Music Series’ variety.“ When you come in one day you hear bluegrass. You come in another day, it’ s folk— then blues to rock and roll to honky tonk— like a little bit of everything. And I think that’ s what makes it so special,” she said.
Spangler, who promotes her music primarily through Caitlin Spangler Music on Facebook, had come to the inn that Thursday to listen to Banister and Kocur, but was also scheduled to play her original music the following night. She said she loves to perform at the Brown County Inn, in part because she has a history there, having built
headboards and picture frames with a friend of hers, Jayme Hood, another local musician who is one half of The Hammer and The Hatchet.
She is grateful that Scott showcases original artists who don’ t generally get a lot of exposure, as well as local and regional talent.
“ He really gives a lot of people a shot,” Spangler said.
Scott himself plays shows a few times a month, but much less so than he used to, because he focuses more on his event production work, through Brown County Music Services, which can be found on Facebook. Scott said he enjoys that work, in part because it allows him to be choosy about where he plays.
The inn offers music on other days as well. An open mic night on Wednesdays, hosted alternately by Scott and Rick Fettig, brings in a“ legendary” level of talent. Acts on Friday transition into more of a blues and singer / songwriter vibe, while Saturday’ s usually bring cover bands.
“ That Hill Folk vibe still bleeds into all of it,” Scott said. •
Will Scott. courtesy photo
July / August 2023 • Our Brown County 25