Music is a regular summer feature at the Motherlode, Lost Love Saloon, Rockin’ 3M Ranch, Bobcat Pass Cowboy Evening, Bull O’ The Woods Saloon, Red River Brewing Co. & Distillery, The Tip at the Red River Ski Area and special events around town. As is always the case with special events and musical productions in Red River, call ahead before coming. While that may be a bit difficult this summer with things changing slowly/quickly without notice, doing your homework is highly recommended. Call!
When Steve Heglund moved from his hometown of Albuquerque to Red River in 1974 to be a partner in The Lodge at Red River, he was not a big fan of “country” music. When the partners bought the D-Bar-D Saloon next door and changed the name to the Motherlode in 1975, he got a crash course in a musical evolution – a cross between , folk, country and rock & roll.
Across the street from the Lodge was a coffee house/pizza joint where three young folk singers entertained packed houses. Three Faces West played their folk/country/rock tunes and welcomed friends from the Dallas/Austin music scene like Steve Fromholtz, Michael Murphey, Rusty Weir and Willis Allan Ramsey to hop on the small stage and perform a style of music that would be labeled Progressive Country or Country Pop. By ‘75, the coffee house venue was winding down, but Steve came to enjoy the music and the Lode became “the place!”
Over the years the stage at the ‘Lode has seen world renowned acts plying their trade: Leon Russell, Delbert McClinton, Brooks & Dunn, Asleep At The Wheel, and Michael Martin Murphey to name a few.
Besides enjoyment, there is something else that 45 years of music has given Steve: Stories. (Don’t ask him if Neil Young really spent 2 weeks “sleeping” under the pool table or if Joe Ely had a guitar pull on the front porch until sunrise.)
Steve recently recalled the first time in 1978 when he met Michael Murphey – the middle name Martin was added later. An act canceled just hours before showtime and Murph replaced him at the last minute. Heglund describes the show that night as “magic!”
Michael Martin Murphey and Heglund are still working together. For the past eight years they’ve been entertaining people at the Rockin’ 3M, formerly the Bitter Creek Guest Ranch located up Bitter Creek Road.
Success breeds success. It seemed like a natural step for Steve to get into the festival business a few years ago. As of 2020, plans include a “big stage” outdoor festival and cook-off in the park and a Folk Festival during Aspencade. Call ahead – it’s going to be an interesting summer.