By Mick Holien
What a Difference a Day Makes … 24 little hours brought the sun.
The 2009 Emmy Award lyrics of Dinah Washington seemed particularly apt as skies that mildly threatened the Aber Days Reunion held for a day as the some 40-plus vessels of every type that blanketed the Flathead River provided additional ambiance to a throng of attendees that grooved to a day dominated predictably by the Mission Mountain Wood Band when.
The partially smoke obscured Mission
mountains were all that dimmed a nearly two-hour iconic performance by the Treasure State’s cult band that dominated the early 70s original concerts up Deer Creek and later Miller Creek.
Evidenced of the band’s popularity the “Mosh Pit’’ filled quickly with several over achievers climbing onto the stage and the majority sharing every word for the debut of the newly constructed Regatta Shoreline Amphitheater just feet from the river banks.
Attendance figures were not immediately available but the crowd built steadily from the sweet sounds of the opening quartet Andrea Harsell and Luna Roja and hung in anticipation to await the closing act of Las Vegas sensation Sam Riddle.
And with his Dad Steve, M2WB bassist and co-vocalist joining him on the stage at the end of the night the torch has been passed. Andrea’s father, Rod, who played at the site more than 30 years ago also accompanied her band for a song.
The massive 30-by-40 foot stage, constructed in a very short time with a private-public effort accompanied by a horde of in-kind, traded and discount labor and materials.
But identified for years as recommended use of the site on Lake Count property near the Fairgrounds, will do nothing but enhance the ambiance of the property but attract additional and diverse use.
The Blues Festival, for example, will occupy the site next weekend.
The lofty towers forming the structure’s roof were donated by Anderson Broadcasting and refigured to hold speakers and lights.
A non-profit formed by the Andersons, will donate some proceeds to
