[Editor’s note: The Good Living Tour will return bigger and better than ever in 2018, further incorporating community-specific programming and introducing a few new tricks. Stay up to date by signing up for our newsletter here.]
The one-of-a-kind, free, all-ages concert series and storytelling tour across Greater Nebraska – Year 3
Hear Nebraska returned to the road in 2017, bringing local music to Greater Nebraska communities during its third-annual Good Living Tour, presented by Nebraska Department of Economic Development. The ambitious concert series visited eight towns in six weekends that year, continuing to connect top Nebraska talent with new audiences, celebrating Nebraska music and culture and encouraging the growth of the state’s music industry.
One of the most significant issues facing Nebraska communities — especially outside of Lincoln and Omaha — is a loss of young people. In the last 30 years, Greater Nebraska has seen a 6.8% drop in its 18-34-year-old population. Young people think Nebraska is old, flat and boring, that interesting and diverse cultural events happen elsewhere, not here. So they leave.
It doesn’t have to be that way. With The Good Living Tour, Hear Nebraska helps answer the question “What is there to do in Nebraska?” Through the tour, sponsored by the Nebraska Dept. of Economic Development and the Nebraska Community Foundation, HN helps show Nebraska’s youth that their communities are worth investing in, encouraging them to remain in their communities after high school or returning after college.
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 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.
The Concerts
AZP performs in Hastings during the 2017 Good Living Tour | photo by Lauren Farris
The concert portion of the Good Living Tour sends original Nebraska bands and musicians to Greater Nebraska communities to perform free, all-ages outdoor concerts. Each concert, carefully curated by Hear Nebraska, featured a lineup of original, diverse Nebraska acts, with at least one band native to each town – representing an array of musical genres and styles – from indie rock to country to hip-hop to blues.
In its second year, The Good Living 2016 brought 36 Nebraska bands and 12 DJs to 12 towns across Nebraska over the course of three weekends in July/ August, with more than 2,000 attendees throughout. In addition, we filmed a series of Live Performance Videos with local musicians, capturing intimate, stripped down performances in settings that represent each town’s unique identity and character. See the results from the 2016 Good Living Tour concert series here.
This year, we traveled to eight Nebraska towns, filming live performance videos and telling stories in our new additions, Hebron and Auburn. Continue down to see everything we produced on the GLT in 2017.
Hebron
photo of Mad Dog & the 20/20s by Lauren Farris
Date: Friday, June 9
Location: Roosevelt Park
Concert coverage: HearNebraska.org
- Belles & Whistles (country – Omaha)
- Mad Dog & the 20/20s (ska/rock – Lincoln)
- Bokr Tov (rock – Omaha)
- Seven Days Sober (rock – Hebron)
Community Sponsors: City of Hebron, Hebron Chamber of Commerce, Hebron Community Foundation
Highlight Reel
Video by Andrew Dickinson, Lauren Farris
Edit by Lauren Farris
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“Things I’ve Learned” by Cole Harris | HN Live on the Good Living Tour
Country singer/songwriter Cole Harris extols small-town virtue in his acoustic ballad “Things I’ve Learned.” Watch the Seven Days Sober frontman perform the song from the World’s Largest Porch Swing in his hometown Hebron, Nebraska.
Video by Andrew Dickinson, Lauren Farris
Edit by Andrew Dickinson
Auburn
photo of Daniel Christian by Lauren Farris
Date: Saturday, June 10
Location: Legion Memorial Park
Concert coverage: HearNebraska.org
- Lucas Kellison & the Undisco Kids (funk/soul – Lincoln)
- FREAKABOUT (hard rock – Lincoln)
- Daniel Christian (rock – Tecumseh)
- Ian Miller (singer/songwriter – Auburn)
- Zach Steele (rock – Auburn)
Community sponsors: Nemaha County Hospital, Nemaha County Development Foundation Fund, Lifetime Vision Center
Highlight Reel
Video by Lauren Farris, Andrew Dickinson
Edit by Lauren Farris
* * *
“Climate Change” by Ian Miller | HN Live on the Good Living Tour
Watch Auburn-native singer/songwriter Ian Miller’s coming-of-age folk song, “Climate Change,” inside the southeast Nebraska town’s historic, time-worn opera house.
Video by Andrew Dickinson, Lauren Farris
Edit by Andrew Dickinson
Imperial
photo of The Talbott Brothers by Lauren Farris
photo of the Imperial Fun Run at the Good Living Tour by Lauren Farris
Date: Saturday, July 1
Location: 8th & Broadway
Concert coverage: HearNebraska.org
- The Talbott Brothers (folk rock – Imperial)
- Rothsteen (soul/R&B – Omaha)
- Universe Contest (indie rock – Lincoln)
- Mesonjixx (Soul – Lincoln)
Community sponsors: Imperial Community Foundation Fund, Chase County Tourism
Highlight Reel
Video by Lauren Farris, Andrew Dickinson
Edit by Lauren Farris
“Hey Honey” by The Talbott Brothers
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“Love Again” by The Talbott Brothers | HN Live on the Good Living Tour
Watch The Talbott Brothers perform warmly encouraging folk song “Love Again” in the living room of their Imperial childhood home.
Video by Andrew Dickinson, Lauren Farris
Audio by Andrew Dickinson, Aaron Markley
Edit by Andrew Dickinson
Red Cloud
photo of The Ramparts by Lauren Farris
Fans enjoy the Good Living Tour Red Cloud | photo by Lauren Farris
Date: Saturday, July 15
Location: Starke Round Barn
Concert coverage: HearNebraska.org
- Brad Hoshaw & the Seven Deadlies (folk/blues/rock – Omaha)
- The Ramparts (hard rock – Omaha)
- Lester Junction (rock – Red Cloud)
- Edem Soul Music (folk/soul – Omaha)
Community sponsors: Red Cloud Community Foundation Fund, Willa Cather Foundation, Red Cloud Chamber of Commerce, City of Red Cloud, South Central State Bank, Webster County Community Hospital Foundation, Heritage Bank, Casey’s General Stores, The Red Cloud B&B at the Kaley House, Republican Valley Arts Council.
Video by Lauren Farris, Andrew Dickinson
Edit by Lauren Farris
“Carpenter” by Brad Hoshaw & the Seven Deadlies
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“When I Fall” by Edem Soul Music | HN Live on the Good Living Tour
On a 100-degree July afternoon just outside of Red Cloud, Edem Soul Music finds shelter from the sun in the Starke Round Barn with HN’s Good Living Tour video crew. Watch her perform a soothing, uplifting “When I Fall” inside the historic building.
Video by Andrew Dickinson, Lauren Farris
Edit by Andrew Dickinson
MCCOOK
photo of J. Crum by Lindsey Yoneda
Date: Saturday, July 29
Location: Barnett Park
Concert coverage: HearNebraska.org
- JAGAJA (indie pop – Omaha)
- High Up (soul/punk – Omaha)
- J. Crum (hip-hop – Omaha)
- All We Seem (rock – Scottsbluff)
- MajorMajor3 (vocal music – McCook)
Community sponsors: Prairie Roots Festival, Community Hospital, McCook Community Foundation, Fund, Red Willow County Tourism Board, McCook National Bank, Acme Printing, McCook Chamber of Commerce
Highlight Reel
Video by Andrew Dickinson, Lauren Farris
Edit by Lauren Farris
“Land of Slumber” by Jagaja
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“The Star-Spangled Banner” by MajorMinor3 | HN Live on the Good Living Tour
Watch McCook-native vocal trio MajorMinor3 perform a spirited rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner inside a cozy home in the southern Nebraska town.
Video by Andrew Dickinson, Lindsey Yoneda
Edit by Andrew Dickinson
Norfolk
photo of Hakim & DeyJean by Lauren Farris
Date: Friday, Aug 4
Location: Downtown Norfolk, Johnny Carson Mural
Concert coverage: HearNebraska.org
- Kris Lager Band (blues/rock – Lincoln)
- Thick Paint (indie rock – Omaha)
- HAKIM (hip-hop – Lincoln)
- The Ambulanters (post-rock – Lincoln)
Community sponsors: ForkFest, Downtown Norfolk Association, City of Norfolk Economic Development, Norfolk Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Highlight Reel
Video by Harrison Martin, Lauren Farris
Edit by Lauren Farris
“So Long” by The Ambulanters
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“The Wolf” by Jim Casey | HN Live on the Good Living Tour
Watch Nebraska Music Hall-Of-Fame songwriter Jim Casey lament the troubles of everyday life through bluesy acoustic song “The Wolf,” performed live at a restaurant near the Norfolk Regional Airport.
Video by Harrison Martin, Lauren Farris
Edit by Harrison Martin
Lyons
photo of Jocelyn by Lauren Farris
Fans dance during Jocelyn’s performance at GLT Lyons | photo by Lauren Farris
Date: Friday, Aug 18
Location: Storefront Theater
Concert coverage: HearNebraska.org
- Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal (soul – Lincoln)
- Wagon Blasters (tractor punk – Omaha)
- Jocelyn (singer/songwriter – Omaha)
- Ted & Alice Miller (folk – Hartington)
Community sponsors: The Center for Rural Affairs, Petal Pushers, CNA Automotive Services, Save More Market, First Northeast Bank of Nebraska, Daniel A Smith, Hiway Cafe, Linda’s Shear Impressions, Lane’s Tree Service, Lorenson Lumber Grain & Redi-Mix, Vetick Construction, Fallout Bar, Olson Plumbing & Heating, Clint Peterson CPA, Silver Creek Nursery, Brian Depew, Ortmeier & Associates, Lyons Mirror Sun, KTIC — AM 840/98.3 FM
Highlight Reel
Video by Lauren Farris
Edit by Lindsey Yoneda
* * *
“River” by Ted & Alice Miller | HN Live on the Good Living Tour
Watch northeast Nebraska singer/songwriters Ted & Alice Miller perform “River,” an rollicking ode to the seasons and their bounties, surrounded by the cinematic set-pieces inside Lyons’ Cosmic Films Studio.
Video by Lauren Farris, Andrew Norman
Audio mixing by Mark Wolberg
Edit by Lauren Farris
Hastings
photo of AZP by Lauren Farris
Date: Saturday, Aug 19
Location: Brickyard Park
Concert coverage: HearNebraska.org
- AZP (hip-hop/rock – Lincoln)
- Miwi La Lupa (folk/indie rock – Omaha)
- Dominique Morgan & the Experience (soul/R&B – Omaha)
- Oquoa (indie rock – Omaha)
- Andrea von Kampen (folk – Lincoln)
- Samuel Scott McCumber (singer/songwriter – Omaha)
Community sponsors: SolFest
Highlight Reel
Video by Lauren Farris
Edit by Lindsey Yoneda
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“Grace” by Samuel Scott McCumber | HN Live on the Good Living Tour
In the final installment of the 2017 Good Living Tour Live Performance series, watch Omaha singer/songwriter Samuel Scott McCumber perform “Grace,” his folk song for spiritual balance, at Hastings’ First Street Brewing.
Video by Lauren Farris, Andrew Stellmon
Edit by Lauren Farris
The Workshops
On the day of each concert, Hear Nebraska staff and performing artists led an educational workshop designed to give every community the tools and knowledge to increase the presence and support of original music in their community. Topics included: attracting touring artists; facilitating local music production; starting a sustainable music venue or concert series; helping an existing band expand their reach; and engaging and encouraging support from the community. These workshops were responsive to each community’s desires and infrastructures, focusing on what is possible and what will have the greatest impact.
Storytelling
photo of Christopher Jacoby by Peter Barnes
In its third year, the GLT storytelling component comprises written and video features on Nebraska music industry elements, filming live acoustic performance videos with an artist with connections to each community, and capturing the concerts and their settings to showcase the art and culture happening in each town.
While you’ll find each highlight reel and live performance video above, read on for the journalism we did as part of the 2017 tour.
Preserving Handmade History at Jacoby Fine Violins | Video Feature
video by Peter Barnes | interview by Andrew Stellmon
The fine art of violin making lives on in Auburn, Nebraska, where resident Christopher Jacoby handcrafts the instruments in the Italian tradition. Watch as Jacoby takes us inside his workshop, gives us an in-depth glimpse into the craft and explains what it means to call Auburn home.
Full story here
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A Country Punk Liberty: Discovering Pondstock Music Festival, rural Nebraska’s lawless family reunion
story by Jacob Zlomke | photos by Madeline Cass
One hundred miles from the nearest town with 10,000 people, the sun-baked Pondstock community embraces its somewhat outsider status on the plains. Forged equally by a love for music and a distaste for being told what to do, the far-flung group of Merle Haggard devotees and hash-smoking anglers reconvened for its 12th iteration in June. But the music festival is no secret, even if it feels that way.
Full story here
WhiskeyDick at Pondstock | photo by Madeline Cass
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Celebrating Music & Community at Flatwater Music Festival | Video Feature
video, interviews & edit by Marti Vaughan & Emma Petersen
Flatwater Music Festival seeks every year to dispel the myth that “good things only come from far away” by providing local, family-friendly music and entertainment to Hastings and the surrounding central Nebraska community. Our feature video peers inside the 11th-annual festival with Prairie Loft Center’s Amy Sandeen and its performers, attractions and concertgoers.
Full story here
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Railside Rally: Hear Grand Island and the community push for arts appreciation
story by Sam Crisler | photos by Emma Petersen
Like many small communities, Grand Island watches as millennials and young adults hit the road for the allure, opportunity and culture of major metropolitan areas. Hear Grand Island, the city’s now-annual summer concert series, and its motivated group of organizers are part of a growing movement to keep young people by highlighting local, original music and art.
Read our feature here
Thousands gather for Hear Grand Island, summer 2017 | photo by Emma Petersen
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Artist Profile: 7 Days Sober’s Cole Harris | Video Feature
video by Lauren Farris, Andrew Dickinson | interview by Andrew Stellmon | edit by Marti Vaughan
Hebron native songwriter Cole Harris explains how his band 7 Days Sober channels their small-town roots and hometown pride in the latest artist profile. Watch his interview, part of the 2017 Good Living Tour storytelling project.
Full story here
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Artist Profile: Cruz Control | Video Feature
video, interview by Arianna Bohning
Cruz Control founder Cruz Salazar explains how the Kearney jam band has grown with the local scene and how it hopes to alter audience perceptions of the genre in the latest artist profile. Watch below.
Full story here
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Artist Profile: Tragic Martha | Video Interview
video by Lauren Farris, Arianna Bohning | edit by Arianna Bohning
Tragic Martha’s Kim Nuss and Sarah Bailey talk about their experience playing music in rural Nebraska, up-and-coming creative communities and why they hope to inspire others in a special Good Living Tour artist profile.
Full story here
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Auburn’s performing arts supporters confront lack of dedicated facilities
story by Andrew Stellmon | photos by Lauren Farris
Four decades after Auburn High School opened, the performing arts center long imagined on its north wall remains a dream, leaving choir, band and theater students without a dedicated venue. Its supporters take a hard, hopeful look at the remaining obstacles and possible solutions.
Read the full story here
Auburn High School | photo by Lauren Farris
The 2017 Good Living Tour is presented by the Department of Economic Development, and made possible with support from Peter Kiewit Foundation, Nebraska Community Foundation, Humanities Nebraska and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment, Nebraska Loves Public Schools, Pinnacle Bank, Union Pacific, Center for Rural Affairs.