Montana Logging and Ballet Co.
| Company type | Ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Comedy, Political satire, Music |
| Founded | 1975 |
| Founder | Tim Holmes, Steve Garnaas-Holmes, Rusty Harper, Bob FitzGerald |
| Defunct | 2013 |
| Headquarters | Billings , United States |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Albums, Radio comedy sketches |
The Montana Logging and Ballet Company was a U.S.-based ensemble specializing in comedy and political satire, active from 1975 until their disbandment in 2013. This four-member group—Tim Holmes, Steve Garnaas-Holmes, Rusty Harper, and Bob FitzGerald—was formed at Rocky Mountain College located in Billings, Montana. Notably, Holmes and Garnaas-Holmes are siblings.
Throughout their career, they released multiple albums alongside a variety of radio comedy sketches. Their first album, Take the Barriers Down (1987), included liner notes authored by Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The album’s sales contributed to supporting Tutu’s initiatives aimed at fostering peaceful political reform in South Africa prior to the 1994 elections. Their follow-up record, We Don't Get It (1992), was produced and arranged by jazz guitarist Mundell Lowe and featured guitarist Tommy Tedesco.
Subsequent albums, Solutions to Our Nations Problems, Take 1 (1999) and Take 2 (2001), compiled content from their frequent roles as "resident political satirists" on National Public Radio's Sunday Weekend Edition during the Clinton administration. These brief satirical pieces tackled current political topics of the time.
After a 37-year tenure, the ensemble wrapped up their career with a final concert tour across Montana. This farewell tour was captured in the documentary Love is the Journey: The Montana Logging and Ballet Co., which was broadcast on Montana PBS in 2012.
References
External links
- Love is the Journey: The Montana Logging and Ballet Company Final televised performance of the Montana Logging and Ballet Company after 37 years of touring. Produced by Montana PBS