The Braun Brothers Reunion is not your typical family reunion. It's a three-day music festival that takes over the town of Challis. This year's fest includes Cross Canadian Ragweed, Randy Rogers Band, and many more. Of course, the Braun family has plenty of acts of their own, which comprise the Original Braun Brothers, Reckless Kelly and Micky and the Motorcars.
The festival will take place Thursday, Aug. 6, through Saturday, Aug. 8. Food and beverage will be available at the venue. Low-back chairs are allowed and you're advised to bring sunscreen and warm clothes for the cool nights. Identification will be necessary to purchase beer or wine at the venue. The show will go on, rain or shine, so come prepared. No coolers, dogs or outside food and beverage allowed.
"My brothers and I have been doing this for over 20 years," said Muzzie Braun. "People plan their own family reunion around ours. I recognize familiar faces every year."
Braun said this year is a diverse lineup.
"Lot of bands have played at the festival before and we always bring in new acts," he said. "Bands always want to come back. A lot of musicians are from Texas, and they like the weather, the people and the scenery in Idaho."
The Original Braun Brothers of Gary, Billy and Muzzie Braun will kick off the festival on Thursday and will be followed by Texas artists Stoney Larue and Ray Wylie Hubbard. Headlining the evening will be Austin's Micky and the Motorcars, fronted by Micky and Gary Braun. Friday will include The Kim Stocking Band at 4:30 p.m. After that, the eclectic Texas singers and songwriters The Gougers take the stage for the evening.
Western Swing enthusiasts will hear Texas-born Doug Moreland. The Academy Of Country Music's nominee for top vocal group, The Randy Rogers Band, will be returning for its second year. The evening will close with Cross Canadian Ragweed, the pioneers of the Oklahoma Red Dirt Music scene. This year will be their fifth appearance at the reunion.
Saturday will include Joshua Tree from Boise. Later in the afternoon the stage will be taken over by the popular Guitar Pull, an act that features the Braun Family and their guests.
"The Guitar Pull is my favorite part of the festival," Braun said. "It is where the singers and songwriters all do two or three songs. It's fun because it's real ad-lib and all acoustic. We do it early Saturday afternoon, and it's a good representation of artists."
The rest of the day will include the high energy of Austin's George Devore followed by the entire Braun Family clan. Texas legend and honky-tonk king Dale Watson will take the stage as well on Saturday and the grand finale will include Reckless Kelly led by Cody and Willy Braun, Muzzie and JoAnn's two oldest sons.
"This year we actually have two surprise guests," Braun said. He would not reveal who.
All the bands will bring merchandise and their CDs. A complete schedule as well as ticket and camping information are available on line at braunbrothersreunion.com.
Sabina Dana Plasse: splasse@mtexpress.com
All the Brauns from left to right are Micky Braun, Billy Braun, Muzzie Braun, "Little" Gary Braun, "Big" Gary Braun, Willy Braun and Cody Braun. Photo by
