At first glance, The Lil Smokies are another successful, Montana-bred bluegrass band on the rise. With a new album release and tour planned, it all felt like an unstoppable force continuing the grind of a musical life on the road. Much to the surprise of their fans, just days before heading to Colorado, the band announced that “Andy is taking a leave due to personal health reasons…” and that this three-show run through the Centennial State would be their last for the foreseeable future. What was supposed to be the start of a month-long tour celebrating their first release in five years quickly became three farewell shows and the announcement of an indefinite hiatus.

Despite the heaviness in the air, the crowd came to celebrate with their favorite band. The Lil Smokies are trailblazers, always creating art with an emphasis on authentic songcraft. Their commitment to making real music for real people has earned them a dedicated following that was very much along for the ride.

The early show started at 7 PM sharp with local artist Danno Simpson, accompanied by lone fiddle player Wes Barlow. Danno began his nascent musical career as a country crooner, but his sound has evolved into a more Americana approach. His velvet vocals flow with a country twang that dances around the high notes emanating from the violin. He has a new album dropping this year, and his live performances feel like a crossroads between the old and the new.

He treated us to “The Road,” a love song to the touring life. “Honest Work” was a ‘hit piece’ on an old boss, but Danno reminded us that “…if you dig holes for 20 years in Eastern Colorado, you’d be an asshole too.” Additional highlights from his short set included “Heartless,” about an ill-advised love, and “Brownie Brooks,” a tale of a Wyoming cowboy who “rides high.” He closed it down with his banger, “Appetite.” This kid is on the cusp, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him making a quick rise in the near future.

The Lil Smokies have never had the most stable of lineups — especially in the banjo department — but with the latest additions of Sam Armstrong-Zickefoose and Jean-Luc Davis on upright bass, the band felt solid. Now, with uncertainty in the air and minus one core member, the Smokies showed up for one more night of musical revelry and good times. They invited Dylan Flynn from local pickers Magoo to fill in on dobro.

The Smokies stepped out from the wings to 500 or so adoring fans cheering enthusiastically. Last show be damned, these fans were there for the shred fest. Jake ripped into their bluegrass spiritual “Harlem River,” and the rest of the band followed suit.

The Smokies first gained notoriety with their uniquely prepossessing lyrical approach to the traditional form, as evident in songs like “Ocean.” Jake reminded us that the last time they performed in Fort Collins was in 2020 — just weeks before COVID shut down the world. “Wheel on the Water” felt like a direct message to Andy, with the refrain: “I’m hoping you remember what we got right.”

“Kansas City” was another sweet and delicate moment in a night full of sentimentality. Each song took on deeper meaning as fans belted out the lyrics alongside the boys from Montana. The somber jams of “Might As Well” gave way to a celebratory cover of Winnetka Bowling League’s “America In Your 20’s,” sung by The Rev.

The band invited their incredibly talented merchandiser Chloe-Beth Campbell, also known as Beef, up for the classic duet “Bad News Babe,” featured on the new album. They followed it with a room-shaking rendition of The Cranberries’ “Zombie.” The Rev and Jake gave everyone a moment to catch their breath with a duo version of Watchhouse’s “Hey Stranger.” A fan yelled out “Thank you” as they started into “Montana Flower.”

This particular evening was also Jean-Luc’s birthday, and he celebrated by singing the “Tennessee Waltz” — though he humorously avoided the 3/4 time signature. Much to the crowd’s delight Sam set it off with a cover of Chapel Roan’s “Pink Pony Club.”

The Smokies then treated us to the title track off the new record, “Break of the Tide,” before The Rev and Jake split duties on “The City.” They closed their 90-minute set with the fitting “World’s on Fire.” The encore was a poignant “Sycamore Dreams” into Billy Joe Shaver’s “Georgia On a Fast Train.”

As the last notes wafted into the air and the cheers died down, we were all left wondering: What happens next for the Smokies?

The musical chemistry of the core trio — Jake, The Rev, and Andy — is undeniable, but existence is full of reasons why a full-time life on the road isn’t always sustainable. More information and future plans will come when the time is right, but for now, send all the love to Andy and the boys.

And if you feel so inclined, a friend of the band, John Hogan, has set up a GoFundMe to help them and the crew during this uncertain time: GoFundMe: Help The Lil Smokies Recover

SET I – Setlist:
Harlem River, Ocean, Wheel on the Water, Kansas City, Might As Well, America In Your 20’s, Bad News Babe, Zombie, Hey Stranger, Montana Flower, Early Morning Rain, Tennessee Waltz, Pink Pony Club, Break of the Tide, The City, World’s on Fire

ENCORE:
Sycamore Dreams, Georgia On a Fast Train