Walkin' Jim Stoltz will present music and photography of the last great wilderness areas in North America at the Wood River Community YMCA in Ketchum at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 11.
The last time he passed through town was on one of several Mexico-to-Canada walks in the 1990s.
"It's been a while since I've been there," he said. "I guess you could say I am living the rich man's life without the money. It is rewarding in personal ways."
Stoltz has been hiking around the United States, playing guitar, singing and telling stories for 30 years. His music is regularly played on National Public Radio.
Stoltz's "Forever Wild" show comes to the Community Room at the YMCA with images and stories from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, his Yellowstone-to-Yukon walk and Utah's canyon country. Tickets cost $25. Proceeds will support the Snake River Alliance, an Idaho-based nuclear watchdog group.
Stoltz has covered 27,000 miles by foot in the wild country of America and has plenty to talk about.
"I'm all about getting people to think about the planet they live upon," he said. "I have seen it change and places lost over the years."
Known for his powerful baritone and emotion-packed vocals, Stoltz combines poetry with images to create a tribute to the natural world.
In 2006, Stoltz organized a 45-state outreach tour, gathering musicians, authors and community organizations to gain support for clean water, roadless lands and wildlife protection.
The Environmental Protection Agency has awarded Stoltz with an Outstanding Achievement Award for his sharing and celebration of nature and wilderness across America.
"I have discovered a lot about myself walking," Stoltz said. "Both strengths and weaknesses, and how good and friendly people are generally."
Tony Evans: tevans@mtexpress.com
Walkin’ Jim Stoltz will entertain at the YMCA on Thursday, March 11, at 6:30 p.m. Photo by
