BBR Artist Spotlight: Corb Lund

Courtesy of the Artist

​Nestled in the mountains of central Idaho, the picturesque town of Challis bustles every August when it plays host to the Braun Brothers Reunion Festival. Regarded as one of the state’s premier musical gatherings by both attendees and artists alike, the BBR is a family-friendly event that draws thousands of visitors from across the globe, bringing artists and fans together in an unparalleled setting for three unforgettable days. 

This year, the BBR will be held from August 9th-11th and will feature fifteen plus Americana, Texas, and Red Dirt artists including fan-favorite Corb Lund who makes a return appearance at the Reunion. Ahead of the festivities, Lund graciously took some time to speak about the festival, what's ahead, and more.

With so many festivals out there these days, what do you find special about the BBR that keeps bringing you back?
I’ve only known the Brauns for about ten years, but I feel like I’ve known them my entire life. They’re fantastic people who have become like family to me. With them being from Idaho and me being from Alberta, we share a Rocky Mountain heritage and a history of cowboy culture that bonds us in addition to the music.
We’re on the road so much and we play the same venues as our friends, but we never see one another. Sometimes we'll play the same club a week apart, and I’ll see their gig posters and write them a note on it (laughing). That's why festivals like the BBR and Steamboat are so terrific, they're some of the rare times we get to hang out and spend time together. Braun Brothers is a special one too because most of the bands are good friends and getting together there is literally a reunion for us as well.

At times you play full band and others solo acoustic with always varying set lists. Will you be full band or solo at the BBR?
This will be a full band show. Actually, all of my summer dates are with my full band, and I'm not planning another solo tour any time soon. As for setlists, I don’t use one, ever. I’d get bored if I did the same set every night and since I have eight records of material, I kind of just get out there, start, and call audibles all night. After playing hundreds of shows I feel like I have a handle on taking the audience on a journey and have developed a sixth sense of how to structure the show on the fly so that it turns into a big emotional conversation with the audience. It’s always a fun time.

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Keeps it fresh for you and the audience. In addition to varied set lists, you also play a variety of settings from small clubs to outdoor festivals.
I play many different settings and I really like them all. Outdoor shows are super fun, especially the BBR, where the setting, with those mountains behind the crowd, is just so beautiful. And it’s not just the setting there in Challis, it’s the fans too; they’re there for the music. I mean, they can party, but while some festivals are all about the party, the people who come to the BBR are definitely there for the music. It’s always such a great line-up; I love getting out there in the crowd and watching my friends on stage.
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It really is an all-around great time.
​Four months in and 2018 has been an incredibly busy year for you touring Europe, playing in front of The Oilers, and singing on the new Colter Wall record.
It has been. I played shows in Canada with Ian Tyson as well, but I’ve spent the past few weeks in Nashville doing some writing with plans for a new record sometime next year. Me and the band are really looking forward to May, when we fire things up starting with the Mile City Bucking Horse Sale.

While you're in Nashville are you writing solo or with anyone in particular?
In the past, I’ve tried writing with people I don’t know well, but I find it awkward. My best results have come from writing with Evan [Felker of Turnpike Troubadours], Hayes [Carll] or guys I know already because it’s more comfortable. Plus, writing isn’t really something I feel like doing at 10am, I’m more apt to do it at 10pm when I’m more relaxed.

Speaking of your friends, you were doing a series on Facebook called “Songs My Friends Wrote.” Are there any plans to continue that?
I haven’t done one of those in a few months because I just haven’t had the chance. I was also doing one called “B.S. With C.L.” where I would talk about a specific topic and play two or three tunes related to the topic and another called “What That Song Means” which would be me speaking about the origin of the song as well as a guitar lesson. It’s been awhile; I should fire those up again.

You mentioned May was when things were going to get busy; is there anywhere that you have not yet been that you would like to play?
We play Texas and Oklahoma a lot and those places are good to us, but I would like to get out to Arizona, Utah, and the American West in general, and maybe play the rodeo circuit, more often. The American West is full of people who live the lifestyle I write about. Cowboy culture is a lot different than straight-up country music, and unless you’re in that world, you’re not going to understand it. Chris LeDoux left a void that people like Cody Johnson and Aaron Watson are filling, but there’s a whole bunch of people in the West who are under-served and I think, because we speak the same language, our music would be a natural fit there.
 
Absolutely.
​Well, to end on a lighter note, as you’re out on the road, what are you listening to?
History podcasts. My favorite thing in the universe is the Hardcore History podcast with Dan Carlin. If it’s not a podcast, I usually listen to my friends like Hayes, Turnpike, or Reckless; or the older stuff like Marty Robbins or Johnny Horton. That stuff holds up.

To keep up with Corb Lund:
Website/Facebook/Twitter/Insta/Purchase

2018 Braun Brothers Reunion
Challis, Idaho
August 9-11th
​Purchase: 3 Day Pass $124.30
Purchase: 2 Day Pass Friday and Saturday ONLY

The BBR is held rain or shine.
Tickets purchased online will be picked up at will call at the venue.
Tickets are Non-refundable.
Kids age 5 and under are free.
Kids age 6-12 are $15 a day and can ONLY be purchased at the front gate even if its sold out.
Kids age 13 and up pay full adult price.

Website/Facebook/Twitter

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