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your homegrown newspaper October 25, 2023
Vol. 20, No. 6
Musicians Co-op marks 4-year anniversary, plans public celebration News from WMMC
Bring Her Home pg. 5
Local Veteran pg. 6
Winter Market pg. 14
RONAN — To celebrate their 4-year anniversary, the Western Montana Musicians Cooperative (WMMC) is throwing a party and inviting all who’d like to attend. Founded by Dough Ruhman and Keith Rennie in October 2019, a small group of passionate musicians gathered with a vision to create a supportive and inclusive space for music enthusiasts. Now, four years later, they invite the community to celebrate with them on Nov. 11, at 3 p.m. at their at 1 Eisenhower Street SW, Ronan location. The WMMC was founded with a simple yet powerful mission: to provide a safe and welcoming environment for musicians of all backgrounds to create music together. For $25 a month co-op members have access to a 20x40 foot stage with guitars, amps, drum sets, a baby grand piano, an electric keyboard, a full digital PA with subwoof-
SUMMER GODDARD / VALLEY JOURNAL
Sid Seay and Keryl Lozar play guitar and sing on stage during a Saturday Open Jam night at the Western Montana Musicians Co-op in Ronan.
ers, microphones, stage lighting and more. Individuals and bands use the stage and equipment for rehearsal with minimal setup or just to jam and have musical fun with friends. On Fridays and Saturdays the space is
opened to the public at 7 p.m. for open mic and open jam nights. Over the years, the WMMC has flourished, nurturing local talent, and strengthening the sense of musical community in Western Montana. The co-op
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provides an opportunity to engage with others you may not otherwise cross paths with, Ruhman commented. “Regardless of political, social views – we’re all here for the music. It’s what brings everyone together,” he
said. Having played in a number of bands over the years, Ruhman said playing music with the same people fosters a feeling of family. “The co-op is a bigger version of that,”
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