The idea for Music Between the Ranges began in 2004 when Ken McAllister invited us to a pig roast at his home.  After dinner we all gathered in Ken’s garage for a bluegrass jam.  We were new to the festival scene and we learned that several of the musicians were regular players at various music festivals around the state.  That evening someone mentioned how great it would be to host a festival in Kenny Lake.  Without hesitation, Anna Mae suggested that we had the ideal setting for a festival and from that moment on she was determined to make her vision a reality.

A year later we attended another pig roast at Ken’s house and this time Anna Mae pitched the idea to a banjo player named Ken Terry who had organized most of the festivals in Alaska.  The next morning he brought a group of friends over and after a brief look at our property, gave it a thumbs up.  Ken Terry booked the bands and helped us organize the festival.  I worked on the grounds, Anna Mae took charge of food, advertising, etc. and our friend Jim Jordan gathered some friends and built a spectacular stage.  Ken Terry was very ill that summer but still managed to emcee the festival and with the help of friends and volunteers it was a successful event.

In 2006 we didn’t have a festival.  Ken Terry had passed away shortly after our first festival and our stage had to be torn down as it had been constructed with parts and pieces that belonged to other people.  Anna Mae invited just the musicians to come out for a picnic and jam session and get their opinions on future events.  She also consulted community business owners to give them a look at what we were capable of bringing in to the community and to get their opinions. By 2007, Jim had constructed another stage and our second festival was on.  We dedicated the new stage to Ken Terry and began sponsoring annual festivals. 

In 2009, our friend Sharon Forster volunteered to organize the festival.  She improved advertising and was able to bring in substantial donations from local businesses.  After several years of losing money we were finally able to donate proceeds to the Kenny Lake Volunteer Fire Department.  Last year we actually broke even and donated proceeds to the Kenny Lake Library.  This year, Anna Mae wants to donate proceeds to help local kids pay for music lessons.

If you’ve never been involved in putting on an event like this I can tell you it is difficult, expensive, time consuming and no matter what you do you will never please everyone.  Although the vast majority of feedback has been positive, we’ve been criticized for not having a variety of music by some folks and for not sticking with the blue grass/folk venue by others.  This year, Bob Fairchild is booking the bands.  We are sticking with the bluegrass/folk venue and he is booking the best bands he can find.  Our son is now helping to organize the festival which is a big help.  Our website should bring more folks but hopefully not too many. 

Just how many more festivals we will sponsor is an open question.  My concern is that our property is all we have and event insurance doesn’t cover all potential disasters.  While we do allow folks to bring in alcohol our event has remained “Family Friendly”.  We were told early on that we could look for our event to stay family friendly for a few years until word gets around to the “rowdy” crowd who will bring trouble.  At that point we will close down the festival but until then, we hope you will come and enjoy the music, food and beautiful surroundings.

Pete and Anna Mae Peschang