The Good Living Tour - produced by Hear Nebraska

design by Justin Kemerling

The unprecedented, free, all-ages concert series and storytelling tour across Greater Nebraska.

The GLT happens in two parts: The concert tour is a free, all-ages concert series, featuring original Nebraska music and hosted in outdoor settings and traditional venues across Greater Nebraska. The storytelling tour is a community storytelling/marketing project aimed to reach a young, targeted audience through social and traditional media statewide and around the world.

Project Mission

Celebrate the unique livelihood available in Greater Nebraska.
Cultivate an increasingly vibrant, original, contemporary music culture and industry in Greater Nebraska — connecting and growing the state’s urban and rural and urban communities.
Expose a young audience to new, innovative music and performance through homegrown Nebraska musicians — inspiring them to learn an instrument, host a concert or pursue a career in the arts.
Educate Nebraskans — and the world— about Greater Nebraska music venues, music-related small businesses and passionate arts supporters.

Concert Tour

The concert portion of the Good Living Tour sends original Nebraska bands and musicians to Greater Nebraska communities for free, all-ages outdoor concerts. In July of 2015, a total of 27 Nebraska bands performed family friendly sets over a nine-day tour. Each concert, carefully curated by Hear Nebraska, featured three contemporary groups, representing a diverse mix of musical genres and styles — from indie rock to hip-hop to country to blues.

In 2016, we will travel across Nebraska over three weeks, expanding to twelve Greater Nebraska Communities, 36 bands and up to 12 DJ’s. Stay tuned for details on this tour in the coming months.

2015 Storytelling Tour

The storytelling portion of the Good Living Tour accompanies the concert tour by sending an editorial team to each community a month prior to conduct interviews and capture footage, all in an effort to tell stories about each community. In June of 2015, a team of Hear Nebraska journalists visited each community to produce feature stories highlighting cool, music/arts-related people and businesses, and viral marketing videos featuring young professionals and artists communicating, in their own words, what makes their community a distinctly attractive place to live, work and play.

Corresponding with each concert, the stories were broadcast to a worldwide audience on HearNebraska.org. The videos, which are embedded below, premiered before each concert headliner, and still serve as compelling, online social devices for community stakeholders working to attract and retain young people for years to come.

In 2016, we will yet again embark on our storytelling adventure to tell more stories from our rural communities as well as to film music videos for local musicians in each community.

Come young. Come old. Celebrate Good Living in Greater Nebraska.

2015 Storytelling Videos

In June, we sent a team of journalists to all nine Greater Nebraska communities involved in the Good Living Tour. It was a 10-day trip to find and tell stories showcasing how music relates to the Nebraskan experience.

Our Good Living Tour storytelling crew interviewed local musicians, venue operators, musical entrepreneurs and young professionals, all dedicated to cultivating the arts in their communities.

We are proud to present the product of that 10-day trip, made possible in part by Humanities Nebraska, the Nebraska Cultural Endowment, Center for Rural Affairs and Pinnacle Bank.

Imperial | July 17

The Imperial Bedroom Sessions and The Talbott Brothers in Arms | story by Chance Solem-Pfeifer | photo by Chris Dinan

At the beginning of their teenage years, music gave Imperial natives Nick and Tyler Talbott a new lease on their sibling relationship. In the years since, the brothers have only strengthened their bond, touring to both coasts and releasing three records.

The Passion Projects of Marla Smith | story by Andrew Stellmon | photos by Logan Pribbeno

A lifetime Imperial resident, retired science teacher Marla Smith continues to impact the community through both her passion for music and innovation in science education. Whether teaching guitar lessons or guiding students through S.C.O.R.E. camp, she remains driven by her students’ joy.

Ogallala | July 18

Nick Rich: From Addiction to Benediction | story and photos by Andrew Stellmon

Former professional drummer Nick Rich followed the hard-touring, rockstar lifestyle down a destructive path to addiction. After hitting rock bottom, he left behind fame and money for Ogallala’s New Hope Church, drawing on his tribulations and musical talents for community good.

Lou Kraus Music: How the Little Guy Survives [and Thrives] | story by Chance Solem-Pfeifer | photos by Chris Dinan

A 30-year regional fixture, Ogallala’s Lou Kraus Music Inc. has weathered the arrival of big box stores and the internet, expanding and diversifying its inventory and community presence.

Scottsbluff/Gering | July 19

Ancova Empowerment Project seeks to help Scottsbluff’s at-risk youth with art and project-based learning | story by Chance Solem-Pfeifer | photos by Chris Dinan

Scottsbluff-based musician, composer and filmmaker Dave Calkins holds a lifelong passion for teaching and mental health. His fledgling nonprofit, Ancova Empowerment Project, aims to give youth facing behavioral, legal or economic obstacles a guided creative outlet.

Midwest Theater: Anchoring the Scottsbluff Arts Community | story by Andrew Stellmon | photos by Bridget McQuillan & Bridget McQuillan

From the diverse, community-oriented programming to the charming decor, the Midwest Theater stands as a crown jewel of the arts in downtown Scottsbluff.

Valentine | July 20

Saturday Night At Norden Dance Hall | story by Andrew Stellmon | photos by Bridget McQuillan

Norden Dance Hall lies at the center of the rural Niobrara Valley community, an 80-year-old living ode to family, culture and tradition. A Saturday night visit in June connects past and present, displaying its importance to generations.

The Country Experiment: Big Harp’s “White Hat” and Chris Senseney’s Valentine Youth | story by Chance Solem-Pfeifer | photos by Daniel Muller and Molly Misek

The nationally touring indie band Big Harp is known for never sitting still when it comes to its sound. But the Los Angeles group’s first album pays artistic tribute to singer/guitarist Chris Senseney’s youth near Valentine, Neb.

North Platte | July 21

Brandon Raby: North Platte’s skateboarding, gypsy jazz enthusiast | story by Chance Solem-Pfeifer | photo by Bridget McQuillan

Like most players and proponents of gypsy jazz, North Platte coffee- and skate-shop owner Brandon Raby is attracted to the genre’s mysterious backstory, uncommon style and its entrenched, subcultural following.

Kittle’s Full-Service Shop Sustains North Platte’s Music Community | story by Andrew Stellmon | photos by Bridget McQuillan

Rob Kittle made his first instrument repair more than 20 years ago. Ever since, he’s strived to provide a full-service, learner-centric experience at Kittle’s Music.

Kearney | July 22

Buffalo Records: Where Kearney Drops its Needle | story by Andrew Stellmon | photos by Bridget McQuillan

With a vast record collection and community-minded owner Bill Sinnard, recently opened Buffalo Records is filling a void in Kearney music and arts.

The New World: A Stately Home for Film and Music in Kearney | story by Chance Solem-Pfeifer | photos by Bridget McQuillan

From marquee to lobby to balcony, Kearney’s The World Theatre is a visage of reinvented classical taste. But then, there’s the elbow grease, the volunteers, the eclectic musical acts and the lifelong stories that make it an accessible and lasting part of Kearney’s history.

West Point | July 23

A Point of Pride: West Point Community Theater’s New Life | story by Chance Solem-Pfeifer | photos by Nickolai Hammar

On the brink of demolition, West Point rallied around its century-old community theater in 2006. Though ambitious and historically-appropriate renovations continue to this day, West Point Community Theatre has become a community magnet for live music, theater, film and more.

Peace at Home: Finding Calm in West Point | story by Jacob Zlomke

West Point native Dustin Prinz makes a point of regularly returning home amidst his hectic touring schedule and time at his other home, bustling Houston. Prinz says friends, family and ease of pace help him recalibrate. Prinz plays Nielsen Community Center [July 23] as part of The Good Living Tour.

Nebraska City | July 24

Nebraska City Barbershop Choir Strikes Community Chord | story by Andrew Stellmon | photo by Nickolai Hammar

Since co-founding the Apple Corps barbershop choir in the mid-1980s, Dr Dean Thomson has led the dedicated group of male vocalists in inclusive, community-oriented performances and endeavors.

Keys For Kids and the privilege-meets-necessity of student instruments | story by Chance Solem-Pfeifer | photo by Chris Dinan

Think of the dusty instrument case in your basement, the one you’ve considered discarding for years. A Nebraska City high school musician has started a program around refurbishing those instruments, lending dozens to students and drastically impacting the lives of shy, struggling kids. Just like she was.

Grand Island | July 25

Making Space: The Chocolate Bar and Fostering Creativity in a Small Town | story by Jacob Zlomke | photos by Nickolai Hammar

Industriousness, adaptability and innovation. From carving out sod houses to raising some of the world’s best beef, these qualities have helped shape Nebraska. Sharena Arriola-Anson, owner of Grand Island’s Chocolate Bar, works in that tradition. But for her, it’s less pulling fences and more reimagining the kinds of spaces small communities can use.

‘You Never Conquer Music’: Grand Island’s DeAundrae Clayton Urges Church Music Culture Forward | story by Chance Solem-Pfeifer | photos by Nickolai Hammar

The position of creative worship arts pastor didn’t exist at Grand Island’s Evangelical Free Church before DeAundrae Clayton took the job fresh out of college in 2014. In a little more than year, Clayton has pushed, reimagined, but most importantly, led, his community into a new, multi-generational place in its music traditions.