Ruckus December 9, 2022

‘West Side’ marks new sound for Platts

BY RACHEL HERGETT FOR THE CHRONICLE

Sam Platts is country, sure, but he’s no outlaw. The musician quit drinking three years ago. And without that particular temptation, he will celebrate part of his birthday this year in the style of a responsible adult — with a dentist appointment.

“There’s a lot of bands around here that dabble in outlaw country, the classic Willie and Waylon and Merle kind of stuff,” Platts said on Sunday while drinking a coffee at the Wheat Montana Bakery outside of Three Forks, wife and bandmate Lilly by his side. “We’ll play western swing.”

Sam and Lilly’s band, Sam Platts and the Plainsmen, released album “West Side” on Dec. 2. Sam’s last album “Sundown at Noon” was recorded in 2013, before Sam met Lilly, when the group was known as Sam Platts and the Kootenai Three and Sam had yet to define his sound, dabbling in a variety of country and

western styles.

Sam grew up on a ranch in Saratoga in southern Wyoming where his father was a musician and luthier. He was later based in Idaho and moved to Montana in 2014. A couple years later, a friend suggested Lilly, a Three Forks native, as a fiddle player for his band. The pair were married at the courthouse in Elko, Nevada, during the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. They will celebrate their fifth anniversary back in Elko with the Plainsmen set to play the 38th annual gathering in February.

Provided photo by Zachary Pearson Sam Platts and the Plainsmen’s album ‘West Side’ was released on Dec. 2.

Fri 12/09

25th Annual Big Sky Christmas Stroll

@ 10am Dec 9th Dec 11th

Join us Friday at the Meadow Vil lage Center and Saturday at Big Sky Town Center for a weekend of family friendly events, entertain‐ment, and holiday cheer! Big Sky Town Center, 33 Lone Peak Drive, Big Sky info@bigskytowncen ter com

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Belgrade. savannahapedaile@ gmail com, 682-323-6977

Ruckus arts and culture in southwest montana

Sat 12/10

Whiz BANG! An explosion of intoxicating comedy!

Mon 12/12

OLLI at MSU Friday Forum: Commu‐nity Win‐ter Trails for HumanPowered Recreation @ 12pm / Free

The Osher Lifelong Learn ing Institute (OLLI) at Montana State University will present “Community Winter Trails for Human Powered Recreation” at a free, online December 9 Friday Forum. Montana State University, 128 Barnard Hall, Bozeman olli@montana.edu, 406994-0665

Happy Hour Open Mic at Last Best Comedy @ 5pm

Join us for Happy Hour Open Mic with host Jon Jacobs! The perfect end of the week activity Grab your of�ce mates and come try your hand at some comedy Sign-ups start at 5:30pm Last Best Com edy, 321 East Main Street, Boze‐man. info@lastbestcomedy com, 406-570-7766

BELGRADE TRUCK VILLAGE

@ 5:30pm

Christmas event Belgrade Senior Center, 92 East Cameron Avenue,

Trivia Night: Gallatin Valley Farm to School Fundraiser @ 6pm

Test your knowledge of local food, agriculture, and farm to school topics! We will have two trivia games, and winning teams will re‐ceive a prize! 50% of sales of spe‐cialty drinks will bene�t GVF2S Steep Mountain Teahouse, 402 East Main Street, Bozeman. man ager@steepmtntea.com, 406577-2740

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Intermediate Country Swing @ 6:30pm / $15

Been dancing for a while? Need some styling or new moves? Or need to work on you lead/follow with a new partner. This class is for you!! Starlite Bozeman, 622 East Tamarack Street, Bozeman. mtcountrydance@gmail com, 406-570 7422

Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!) @ 7pm / $20

Open Door Bozeman Presents a staged reading of Every Christ‐mas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!) by Michael Carleton, James FitzGerald & John K Al varez 419 S Grand Ave, 419 South Grand Avenue, Bozeman. open doorbozeman@gmail com, 406570-5674

Wylie & the Wild West @ 7:30pm / $20

Wylie & the Wild West are bringin' the authentic country music (and yodels) back to Bozeman for a Bozeman Folklore Society show in the Sanctuary at Pilgrim! Pilgrim United Church of Christ Boze‐man, 2118 South 3rd Avenue, Bozeman. bob.wall@bozemanfolk lore.org, 406-579 5169

Montana Chamber Music Society presents the Muir String Quartet

@ 7:30pm / $30

Montana Chamber Music Society presents the Muir String Quartet Howard Hall, Bozeman. amcarson @msn.com

Band of Drifters

@ 9pm

Tune Up, 24 W Mendenhall St, Bozeman

KGLT Vinyl Sale --Give the Gift of Vinyl @ 9am

This holiday season Give the Gift of Vinyl! We'll make it easy for you! On Saturday, December 10th, Friends of KGLT Vinyl Sale runs from 10am to 3pm in MSU Strand Union Rooms 233 and 235! Strand Union Building, 751 West Grant Street, Bozeman. el lensworldkglt@gmail com, 406599-4136

DeWeese/Wynkoop

Annual Studio Open House and Holiday Sale @ 10am Dec 10th - Dec 11th

Annual Studio Open House and Holiday Sale 2513 Magenta Rd, 2513 Magenta Road, Bozeman. deweese.josh@gmail com, 406586-9800

JINGLE JOG 5K FUN RUN @ 10am / $20

5k fun run and ugly Christmas sweater contest Belgrade. savan nahapedaile@gmail com, 682323-6977

Jingle Jog 5K @ 10am / $15 Belgrade, 11 W. Main Street

1st Annual Big Sky Winter Market

@ 5pm

A gathering of local artisans, crafters, cottage goods, and other mountain made businesses Residence Inn by Marriott Big Sky/The Wilson Hotel, 145 Town Center Avenue, Big Sky info@ bigskytowncenter.com

I'll Be Dead For Christmas, a Holiday Improv show at Last Best Comedy @ 7pm / $15

The holidays can be tough. Falling in love can be even harder This year, staying alive might just be the biggest challenge of all! Last Best Comedy, 321 East Main Street, Bozeman. info@lastbest comedy.com, 406-570-7766

The White Buffalo: Year of the Dark Horse Tour: Bozeman @ 7:30pm

The Elm, 506 S 7th Ave, Bozeman

@ 9pm / $15

Whiz BANG! is an explosion of in toxicating comedy! Exciting, high energy, short form improv that is so funny it's criminal An hour long show with lots of audience inter action! Last Best Comedy, 321 East Main Street, Bozeman. info@ lastbestcomedy com, 406-570 7766

Sun 12/11

Christmas Tea Party

@ 11am / $54

Enjoy Tea sandwiches, Savory bites, and pastries while sipping delightful tea offerings at Starlite Bozeman to Celebrate The Holi days! 622 E Tamarack St, 622 East Tamarack Street, Bozeman. info@ starlitebozeman.com, 406-551 2220

Trap-Release Workshop presented by Footloose Montana @ 1pm

Free and open to the public! Trap‐ping season has begun. What will you do if your pet gets caught in a trap? Learn �rst aid and how to handle a trap in an emergency! Beall Recreation Center (City of Bozeman), 415 North Bozeman Avenue, Bozeman. rattlefarm@ gmail.com, 406-274-4791

Big Band Jazz Holidays @ 3:30pm / $10

The Montana State University School of Music will present a concert of holiday jazz classics at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 11, 2022, in Inspiration Hall Norm Asbjornson Hall, W Grant St West Grant Street, Bozeman. ryan.matzinger@montana edu, 406-994-5743

Paranormal Talk & Trivia @ 7pm

Bozeman Paranormal Group will host a small gathering and pre‐sentation, sharing ghost stories and legends, with a summary of their tools and investigations of presumably haunted spaces across Montana Steep Mountain Teahouse, 402 East Main Street, Bozeman. manager@steepmt ntea.com, 406-577-2740

Adaptations In Owls with Denver Holt @ 7pm

Sacajawea Audubon Society pre‐sents a special holiday program with Denver Holt of the Owl Re‐search Institute. Ellen Theatre, 17 West Main Street, Bozeman. pro grams@sacajaweaaudubon.org

Tue 12/13

The Studio Practice Dec 13

@ 1pm / Free BASE Art Studio, 285 Simkins Drive, Big Sky. 406-995-2742

German Conversation Evening

@ 6pm

Students and community mem bers who would like to practice speaking are all welcome to at tend, participants get 15% off their drinks if they place their or der in any non-English language! Steep Mountain Teahouse, 402 East Main Street, Bozeman. man ager@steepmtntea.com, 406-577 2740

Class Showcase Stand-Up 101 at Last Best Comedy

@ 6:30pm / $5

Come help us cheer on our Stand Up 101 students for their show case! Last Best Comedy, 321 East Main Street, Bozeman. info@last bestcomedy com, 406-570-7766

Bone Dry Comedy Hour Open Mic

@ 8pm

Bone Dry Comedy brings Open Mic night to Last Best Comedy. Our weekly open mic is a sup portive place to start your comedy journey, try new material, and connect to the Bozeman Stand up scene. Last Best Comedy, 321 East Main Street, Bozeman. info@ lastbestcomedy com, 406-5707766

Wed 12/14

Single-Mom Family Holiday Fundraiser Event

@ 6:30pm / $25 A Bo ar fr au the community to local

Bone Dry Comedy Hour Open Mic

@ 8pm

single mom families! Rialto, 10 West Main Street, Bozeman. more hopeformom@gmail.com, 406 690-3327

Thu 12/15

After School ARTventure

Dec 15

@ 4:30pm / Free BASE Art Studio, 285 Simkins Drive, Big Sky 406-995-2742

Bone Dry Comedy brings Open Mic night to Last Best Comedy Our weekly open mic is a sup portive place to start your comedy journey, try new material, and connect to the Bozeman Stand up scene. Last Best Comedy, 321 East Main Street, Bozeman. info@ lastbestcomedy com, 406-5707766

Tom Kirwan

Wed 12/14

Single-Mom Family Holiday Fundraiser Event @ 6:30pm / $25

@ 7pm Live music while you soak! Featur‐ing the Bozeman-based acoustic country artist Tom Kirwan Boze‐man Hot Springs, 81123 Gallatin Road, Bozeman. adam@bh springs com, 406-586-6492

An evening of LIVE music by Bozeman's Choice 2022 #1 solo artist, JACOB ROUNTREE, re freshing drinks, eats, and a silent auction! All profits go back into the community to local single mom families! Rialto, 10 West Main Street, Bozeman. more hopeformom@gmail.com, 406 690-3327

Champagne Drip: TIME WARP TOUR The Elm @ 7pm The Elm, 506 S 7th Ave, Bozeman

Sippy @ 9pm The Elm, 506 S 7th Ave, Bozeman

Fri 12/16

Friday Night Stand-Up with MK Paulsen at Last Best Comedy

@ 7pm / $20-$25

Originally from a small town in Texas, MK Paulsen is a comedian, musician, writer and performer based in Los Angeles Last Best Comedy, 321 East Main Street, Bozeman. info@lastbestcom edy.com, 406-570-7766

Band of Drifters

@ 8:30pm Stacey's Old Faithful Bar & Steak‐house, 300 Mill St, Gallatin Gate‐way

Friday Night Stand-Up with MK Paulsen at Last Best Comedy @ 9pm / $20-$25

Originally from a small town in Texas, MK Paulsen is a comedian, musician, writer and performer based in Los Angeles Last Best Comedy, 321 East Main Street, Bozeman. info@lastbestcom edy.com, 406-570-7766

ingston

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What’s Available NOW On

“Movie: A Unicorn for Christmas”

TV stars from the 1980s Charlene Tilton (“Dallas”) and Ed Marinaro (“Hill Street Blues”) head the cast of this 2022 holiday family drama about a little girl who discovers a unicorn at a Christmas carnival and must protect it from a greedy fair owner. Sunny Mabrey, Christian Finlayson and Catherine Dyer also star.

“Movie: Johnny English Strikes Again”

Bumbling ex-spy Johnny English (Rowan Atkinson) is summoned out of retirement when MI-7 confronts a desperate shortage in field agents after a massive cyber attack launched from the south of France exposes the identities of all personnel currently working for the agency, in this 2018 sequel to Atkinson’s two earlier Johnny English films. Supporting players include Ben Miller, Emma Thompson and Jake Lacy.

“Movie: Fruitvale Station”

It didn’t make a ton of money at the boxoffice, but writer-director Ryan Coogler’s gripping 2013 recreation of a real-life tragedy reaped critical raves and a slew of awards. Michael B. Jordan stars as Oscar Grant, a young man killed by a transit police officer during an altercation on an Oakland, Calif., train platform. Octavia Spencer, Kevin Durand and Chad Michael Murray also star.

“Kindred”

Octavia E. Butler’s novel served as the basis for this drama series about a young Black woman who embarks on her future in Los Angeles only to find herself pulled back and forth in time, emerging at a 19th century plantation to which her family is linked. Mallori Johnson stars as the central character, Dana James; Micah Stock, Ryan Kwanten and Gayle Rankin also star.

(ORIGINAL)

The identity of the celebrity is found within the answers in the puzzle. In order to take the TV Challenge, un-scramble the letters noted with asterisks in the puzzle.

ACROSS

With 6 Down, Katheryn Winnick series (2)

“__ __ Boy Girl Thing”; 2006 film

__ Johnson; role on “Young Rock”

“The Karate __”

Series for Marcia Gay Harden (4)

Bachelor’s last words (2)

Role on “The Waltons”

Daisy __; Li’l Abner’s pursuer

__ Coleman; role on “La Brea”

“Life of __”; 2012 Suraj Sharma film

Bokhee __; “Grey’s Anatomy” actress

“__ Kett”; old comic strip

“Spenser: For __” (198588)

Essie Davis

Clark __; role on “Adventures of Superman”

“__ to Billie Joe”

“Semi-__”; 2008 Will Ferrell film

Barney Fife’s title: abbr.

“90 __ Fiancé”

BY GEORGE DICKIE

OF ‘GUILLERMO DEL TORO’S CABINET OF CURIOSITIES’ ON NETFLIX

How was it approaching a traumatized character such as ornithologist Nancy Bradley in “The Murmuring” episode of “Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities”?

Well, Jennifer Kent, (the director) has a really beautiful way of rehearsing, although Andrew (Lincoln, her costar) and I flew in – he flew in from England and I flew in from Australia into Canada. We had a couple of weeks in quarantine in our various hotel rooms and we rehearsed on Zoom. But we had three days physically together before we started filming.

And Jen works in a way with us that created a very detailed history between the two of us. And in a way, I guess it’s an improvisation that we went through all of the major parts of our relationship over three days. We improvised them (laughs) and so we had a very intensive history built up between us that we both knew. And it meant that whatever I needed in any scene that I was in with Andy, I could just look in his eyes and I would get it (laughs). Because whatever I needed from our past to have in our minds at that moment, it was in a look.

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“The Bad Guy”

From Italy comes this dark comedy about a Sicilian prosecutor who spent his life fighting organized crime only to be accused of being one of the people he was targeting — a mobster — which sets him on a course of revenge. Luigi Lo Cascio, Claudia Pandolfi, Vincenzo Pirrotta and Selene Caramazza head the cast.

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“Movie: Warm Bodies”

One couple — a zombie and a human, played by Nicholas Hoult and Teresa Palmer — could be the key to saving the world from a rampage of the undead in this satire of a genre. The fellow is the zombie who saves the young woman, one of the few humans left, from others of his kind; their ensuing relationship could have an impact on many others.

“Dr.

Seuss Baking Challenge”

Actress, author and foodie Tamera Mowry-Housley is the host of this competition series in which teams of two bakers will be challenged to use their imaginations to craft jaw-dropping creations inspired by beloved Dr. Seuss characters. Judges Clarice Lam and Joshua John Russell determine the winner, who will receive a $50,000 grand prize. (ORIGINAL)

“Movie: Nanny”

This psychological horror film stars Anna Diop (“Titans”) as Aisha, a Senegalese immigrant who goes to work as a nanny for an affluent New York couple so she can afford to bring the son she left behind to the U.S. But she’s haunted by a violent presence that invades her dreams and reality. Morgan Spector and Michelle Monaghan also star. (ORIGINAL)

on page 12

tasty tv

BY GEORGE DICKIE

Pass the comedy, please –memorable Christmas dinner scenes in movies

Ah, the Christmas feast.

It’s something we plan for weeks and consume over the course of hours. Then we spend months at the gym getting the excess off our hips and midsections.

It’s also something that has catalyzed memorable Yuletide film scenes over the past century as the turkey, pumpkin pie and other comestibles become backdrop to holiday shenanigans.

So without further ado, we present for your consideration some of the ones that we think stand out above the rest. Now bring us some figgy pudding.

“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (Airs on AMC; streams on HBO Max and Spectrum): Clark

(Chevy Chase) wants to have the perfect Christmas but as with the all things Griswold, nothing is. Including the turkey, which is so dry there is only air inside when Clark carves. And then there is Aunt Bethany, who when asked to say grace instead gives the Pledge of Allegiance. To which everyone responds “Amen.”

“Elf” (Airs on AMC; streams on HBO Max and Spectrum): It’s a sweet and savory Christmas for North Pole elf Buddy (Will Ferrell) in this 2003 holiday comedy, when he reconnects with his birth father (James Caan) and consumes his first meal with his new family – spaghetti and maple syrup. Which is followed by a long, foghornlike belch.

Chase in “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”

Chevy

A G

Y B

O I

A R O V S E B O S T I D P E Q H Z U H A V R G O W I B L

O O C T O F M U S I C A L T L M S B R L L R H Q O T I C J A U D T A U F I U G D J N E G E S O Q K M R N S T A E R E V N A M L R I F W I G C C R I E C E E N A E O K N U R I E R L H I V Q O R H O R I B L Y O G A V M V T E M N

P E G U A C D N A R H L A L I L N M R S P O T T S B L W S L I C U A A H L E O A T F B E L O V E D X S R D N R E R S T P B G I S G M N V A H

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“Tom Papa: What a Day!”

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“Cook at All Costs”

The question of whether expensive ingredients translate to better meals is addressed in this competition series in which contestants are given money that they will have to budget while bidding on ingredients that they will then use in their dishes.

The cook who best impresses the celebrity guest chef will win all the money left in their bank.

Chef and restaurateur Jordan Andino hosts. (ORIGINAL)

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“National Treasure: Edge of History” (Dec. 14)

From director Mira Nair (“Monsoon Wedding,” “Queen of Katwe”) comes this actioner that follows 20-year-old Dreamer Jess (Lysette Olivera), who sets off on an exploration to discover the mystery of her family history and seeks to recover historical lost treasure with the help of her friends.

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“Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration” (Dec. 16)

Performed in front of a live audience at Disney Studios in Los Angeles, this special presentation features neverbefore-seen musical performances as it tells the iconic musical tale of a young woman whose love can transform a beastly creature back into his former self, a prince. H.E.R, Josh Groban, Shania Twain, David Alan Grier and Martin Short head a formidable cast.

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“If These Walls Could Sing” (Dec. 16)

This film from first-time documentarian Mary McCartney takes viewers inside perhaps the world most famous studio, Abbey Road Studios, to tell the stories of some of the studio’s most iconic recordings and the people who made them happen, including her father Paul’s band, the Beatles.

(ORIGINAL)

“Retrograde” (Available now)

From director Matthew Heineman (“City of Ghosts”) and National Geographic comes this documentary that captures the 20-year war in Afghanistan from multiple perspectives — one of the last U.S. special operations forces units deployed there, a young Afghan general and his corps fighting to defend their homeland and the civilians desperately attempting to flee as the country collapses and the Taliban take over.

BY JAY BOBBIN

‘Green

is still the place to be

Back in the 1960s, when rural-flavored programming was big business for CBS in particular, “Green Acres” was one of the most popular shows on the air. Decades continues a weekend “Binge” marathon of the show Sunday, Dec. 11, into the early morning of Monday, Dec. 12 – and it retains the easy charm and laughs that made it so popular initially.

A big part of the series’ success was its fish-out-ofwater aspect that relocated lawyer Oliver Douglas and his socialite wife Lisa (played by Eddie Albert and Eva Gabor) from their swanky New York penthouse to the much simpler pleasures of Hooterville, where the quirky residents made for much of the fun here. One standout: Arnold Ziffel, a pet pig treated like a human by just about everyone around him.

Puzzle Solutions

“Happy Days” (MeTV, Sunday, Dec. 11):

In the tradition of so many series, this nostalgic sitcom got into the habit of doing holiday episodes – and six of them are offered here in a three-hour block, starting with the Season 2 tale “Guess Who’s Coming to Christmas.” When Richie (Ron Howard) finds out that Fonzie (Henry Winkler) will be spending the yuletide on his own, an invitation is extended.

“Kindergarten Cop” (TBS, Sunday, Dec. 11): One of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s most enjoyable movies, this Ivan Reitman-directed 1990 actioncomedy also is one of the relatively few of his suitable for all ages ... though there is the aspect of tracking a criminal. That’s what brings the star’s police-detective character to an elementary school, where he poses as a substitute teacher and has quite a time adjusting to being in charge of a class of rambunctious youngsters.

Eddie Albert and Eva Gabor

“That’s kind of a big deal for us,” Sam said. “I used to play with Wylie and the Wild West and we did that a lot. Almost every year I played with him, we did the Cowboy Poetry Gathering down there. It’s cool to be getting hired with this crew and getting able to do our thing there.”

In the last nine years, Sam has swapped his electric guitar for a Gibson archtop and dropped the drums from the band, which features Lilly on fiddle and also includes bassist J Kane and Bill Dwyer on electric guitar

“Throughout versions of this band, I’ve covered a lot of territory and dabbled in a lot of different directions,” Sam said. “It got to a point where it was time to really narrow down and start doing what suits us the best and what we’re best at.”

For the Platts, that is a vintage 1940s and 1950s country sound steeped in western swing, playing into Sam’s evolving guitar skills and Lilly’s Texas-style fiddling, which won her the adult division championship at the Bob Wills Fiddle Festival contest in November.

Sam and Lilly have put their energy into maintaining the roots of the style in their music.

“Part of what makes the western swing thing enjoyable is that it is difficult to do right,” Lilly said.

Western swing, originated by artists such as Bob Wills, Spade Cooley and Milton Brown, is the official state music of Texas. Also known as cowboy jazz, the style blends the old cowboy country with the then-popular big band style.

“It’s simplified jazz with a cowboy hat,” Lilly said.

There’s an oft-quoted quip from the late songwriter Harlan Howard, who penned songs such as “Heartaches by the Number” and “I Fall to Pieces.” “Country music,” Howard said, “is three

chords and the truth.” That’s not Sam Platts and the Plainsmen.

“Our is like 16 chords and some half truths,” Sam said.

“West Side” was recorded last year at Peak Recording in Bozeman and was produced by Dwyer, the Plainsmen’s other guitar player. The tracks were mostly recorded live, with band members playing together while isolating their instrument sounds.

“That’s kind of how this style of music is,” Sam said. “You want to keep it as organic as you can, not overdo the production on it. There’s no string section or Jordanaires on this one.”

Sam recorded the album on a 1940s Gibson archtop guitar, but has since moved on to a newer model. While instruments are meant to be played, Sam said he was concerned about the wear and tear gigging would cause on the older archtop.

“I was getting kind of worried about totally destroying it,” he said.

The sound may harken from another time and be played on vintage instruments, but other parts of the process were entirely modern. Harmony vocals, performed live by Kane, were hired out in recording to a man in California. And the album was mixed by Eric Amble in Brooklyn. The band also hired a publicist and distribution company for the release.

“It’s neat to be able to live in rural America and be able to get a pretty professional album done,” Sam said.

The Platts live and work on a ranch outside of Silver Star, but before their Sunday night duo performance at Willow Creek, Lilly points out a blue house around the corner that they used to call home. They frequent what they jokingly call the “tri-cities” — the tiny towns of Harrison, Pony and Willow Creek.

“Head West” includes versions of “Saint James Infirmary Blues” and “Whoopee Ti Yi Yo,” but the majority of the 11 songs were mainly

the

ABOVE: Sam Platts and the Plainsmen’s album ‘West Side’ was released on Dec. 2.RIGHT: Sam and Lilly Platts perform at Woolzie’s Willow Creek Cafe on Dec. 4.

penned by Sam.

One song, “Buster,” is based on a cattle trucker who showed up at the ranch in Silver Star to pick up some calves. The song’s title character, a short man with a blonde mullet, arrived at the ranch in a rig with his name on the door and “there ain’t no feeling like cowmobiling” on a decal on the back.

“He was a rolling country song,” Sam said. “He had the whole vibe going.”

Often, someone in the audience will have crossed paths with Buster and will tell the Platts they know exactly who the song is about. But as of yet, Buster has yet to comment on the song.

“My guess is that he’d be pretty into it,” Sam said. “He has his own theme song.”

“West Side” is streaming on all major music platforms. CDs of the album are available at www.samplatts.com.

Provided photos by Zachary Pearson, Rachel Hergett for

chronicle

Questions:

1) A freak storm partially tore the roof off this Midwestern NBA arena in 1979. What was its name, and what team played there?

2) The name of this sports venue has actually adorned three other buildings dating back to 1874. Name it and the NBA franchise that calls it home.

3) This multipurpose domed stadium was home to the Seattle SuperSonics until 1985. What was it called?

4) This storied venue was called home by the San Francisco Warriors and the San Jose Sharks. Can you name it?

5) The Denver Nuggets entered the NBA in 1976 playing in what building?

6) This edifice was famous for its parquet floor and for being the home of the NBA’s most successful franchise. Identify it and the team.

7) What arena was the only home the original Charlotte Hornets ever knew?

8) On March 2, 1962, the Philadelphia Warriors’ Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points against the New York Knicks. In what arena did he do it?

9) The Chicago Bulls began their incredible 1990s run of six championships in eight years in what building?

10) Teams would make pilgrimages to this arena to play the Milwaukee Bucks. Can you name it?

Solution on page 12

BY GEORGE DICKIE

Answers:

The Mecca

Chicago Stadium

The Hershey (Pa.) Sports Arena, where the Warriors played a handful of home games each year

The Charlotte Coliseum

Boston Garden, home of the Celtics

McNichols Sports Arena

The Cow Palace

The Kingdome

Madison Square Garden and the New York Knicks

Kemper Arena, home of the Kansas City Kings

BY GEORGE DICKIE

Embiid kicks it up a notch for Sixers

Wilt Chamberlain, Moses Malone, Joel Embiid.

Yes, if you’re talking greatest centers in Philadelphia 76ers history, one must include the seventh year big man out of Kansas in the same breath with the two Pro Basketball Hall of Famers. And if the 28-year-old Cameroonian can continue his stellar play into his 30s, he’ll likely be joining them in those hallowed halls in Springfield.

His career stats of 26.2 points, 11.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game are certainly comparable to Malone’s (20.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, 1.3 blocks) although Chamberlain’s (30.1 points, 22.9 rebounds) were otherworldly and amassed at a time when he was literally head-and-shoulders above the competition as one of the league’s few seven-footers. These days, sevenfooters are common and even playing point guard.

Embiid also earned a comparison with the great Wilt the Stilt last month. Within a two game span, he scored 42 points in a Saturday, Nov. 12, game against the Hawks followed by a 59-point performance against the Jazz on Sunday. If you’re scoring at home, that’s 101 points in less than 24 hours. Though it’s not in the class of Chamberlain’s 100-point single-game output in 1962, it certainly evoked memories of that record-setting performance, one that still stands today.

With the Sixers in the thick of the playoff hunt in the East, they’ll be counting on the stalwart play of Embiid to lead them to an NBA Finals berth. He can be seen in action Friday, Dec. 16, when the Sixers host the Golden State Warriors in the opening game of an ESPN doubleheader.

FULL NAME: Joel Hans Embiid

BIRTH DATE: March 16, 1994

BIRTHPLACE: Yaounde, Cameroon

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 7 feet/280 pounds

TEAMS: Philadelphia 76ers (2014-present)

COLLEGE: Kansas

DRAFT: Taken in the first round (third overall) by the 76ers in 2014 (though didn’t play until 2016 due to injury)

POSITION: Center

NO.: 21

HONORS AND ACHIEVEMENTS: Five-

time NBA All-Star; twotime NBA MVP (2019, 2020); NBA scoring champion (2021-22); NBA All-Rookie First Team (2017); Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year (2014); Big 12 All-Defensive Team (2014)