High Country Cowboys swing back into Sanders County

The High Country Cowboys trio were at Quinn’s Hot Springs last week for a two-night performance.

The brothers; Marty, John and Joe Kosel are firmly becoming staples in the entertainment at the local Sanders County Resort.

Hailing from a large family on a ranch in Red Lodge, the boys only truly discovered their sound and musical path around four years ago.

Originally starting off in a Partridge Family-styled band, it was a few years before they would find their true niche — classic country.

The young trio not only showcase their amazing vocal talents, but also play the instruments to bring back that sound of yesteryear.

“We were home schooled on our ranch and when we would have some time, we would sit down and watch all the old Westerns. Particularly the “Roy Rogers Show.” I think we have seen every episode more than a few times,” chuckled lead singer Marty.

Their interactions with the crowd were something of a signature of the trio, they joked and really understood the demography of ages that showed up to enjoy a night out.

During the first set, there were two couples who enthusiastically got up to two step around the dance floor. As the band played and the crowd watched on, it was easy to understand and see just how well those dance steps synced to the strum of the guitar.

John took the reins of speaking with the crowd, he joked, “because I’m the oldest I get to speak.”

As the crowd laughed with the one-liners that he spoke, they were also very appreciative of the classic songs that were sung as well.

From chart topping hits of the 1950s and 60s, to some beloved television show themes, there was certainly some hootin’ and hollerin’ from the crowd.

Tom Jummer a former resident of Sanders County was back in Montana visiting with a friend whom accompanied him to the evening’s event.

“I’m based in Alaska now, but it’s always good to come home to visit. We didn’t know who the band was, but we looked them up and got excited to come see them at Quinn’s,” he said.

“This is my kind of music, and the boys do a great job by the sounds of it,” he added.

Not wrong in his assumption, the throwback to the traditional sounds would easily inspire the younger generations to fall in love with the heart of the country music sounds.

Though modern country has taken on a different sound, the brothers all of whom seem to have an old soul about them; truly love to be able to give their audience a step back in time for a couple of hours.

“We don’t really have much set out as far as planning on what we will play as a standard. We like to gauge off the crowd and who we have in the audience,” said John.

“It’s been really surprising at how big of a following we really have. We never set out to be big stars, we just love doing what we do and it’s humbling to have people out there that love what we do also,” he continued.

From “Cheyenne” to ‘Ringo” and even “Don’t Fence Me In,” the music filled the Paradise Hall at Quinn’s Resort uplifting that classic concert feel.

Though it could be their rendition of “Rawhide” that they played before the intermission that truly left the crowd wanting more after their short dinner break.

A staple in Sanders County, the High Country Cowboys are now a solid award-winning band who recently received the titles of Music Group of the Year, Yodeler of the Year (Marty), Western Album of the Year just to name a few though the Professional Cowboy Artists Association.

“We don’t have any real goals to say of as it all started by accident. We’re just along for the ride and enjoy playing some great music,” said John.