​Nestled in the mountains of central Idaho, the picturesque town of Challis bustles every August when it plays host to the Braun Brothers Reunion Festival. Regarded as one of the state’s premier musical gatherings by both attendees and artists alike, the BBR is a family-friendly event that draws thousands of visitors from across the globe, bringing artists and fans together in an unparalleled setting for three unforgettable days. 

This year, the BBR will be held from August 9th-11th and will feature fifteen plus Americana, Texas, and Red Dirt artists including fan-favorite Corb Lund who makes a return appearance at the Reunion. Ahead of the festivities, Lund graciously took some time to speak about the festival, what's ahead, and more.

With so many festivals out there these days, what do you find special about the BBR that keeps bringing you back?
I’ve only known the Brauns for about ten years, but I feel like I’ve known them my entire life. They’re fantastic people who have become like family to me. With them being from Idaho and me being from Alberta, we share a Rocky Mountain heritage and a history of cowboy culture that bonds us in addition to the music.
We’re on the road so much and we play the same venues as our friends, but we never see one another. Sometimes we'll play the same club a week apart, and I’ll see their gig posters and write them a note on it (laughing). That's why festivals like the BBR and Steamboat are so terrific, they're some of the rare times we get to hang out and spend time together. Braun Brothers is a special one too because most of the bands are good friends and getting together there is literally a reunion for us as well.

At times you play full band and others solo acoustic with always varying set lists. Will you be full band or solo at the BBR?
This will be a full band show. Actually, all of my summer dates are with my full band, and I'm not planning another solo tour any time soon. As for setlists, I don’t use one, ever. I’d get bored if I did the same set every night and since I have eight records of material, I kind of just get out there, start, and call audibles all night. After playing hundreds of shows I feel like I have a handle on taking the audience on a journey and have developed a sixth sense of how to structure the show on the fly so that it turns into a big emotional conversation with the audience. It’s always a fun time.

​Nestled in the mountains of central Idaho, the picturesque town of Challis bustles every August when it plays host to the Braun Brothers Reunion Festival. Regarded as one of the state’s premier musical gatherings by both attendees and artists alike, the BBR is a family-friendly event that draws thousands of visitors from across the globe, bringing artists and fans together in an unparalleled setting for three unforgettable days. 

This year, the BBR will be held from August 9th-11th and will feature fifteen plus Americana, Texas, and Red Dirt artists including singer-songwriter-producer Bruce Robison, whose most recent album, Bruce Robison & the Back Porch Band, was released in 2017. Ahead of the BBR, Robison kindly took some time to speak about the Reunion, The Next Waltz, and more.

Right now, you’re in the midst of a tour with John Baumann, but in August, you’ll be headed to the Braun Brothers Reunion, have you been out before?
This will be my second trip out. The previous time, we took the kids and made a big ole family vacation out of it, but this time, I’m coming out myself. I’m looking forward to it.

On stage, you’ll be backed by the BBR All-Stars, which will be fun. How will your set come together? Do you talk ahead of time about which songs you’re going to play?
​This is what I think is so cool about this event, the Brauns are such connectors on the scene that the BBR is like a big family getting together to make music. I’ve played with all these guys forever so they know a few of my songs and then we’ll pick some other ones that’ll be fun to do. They’re very generous to agree to play with me and I’m excited to play with them and try some different things.

It’ll be exciting for everyone in attendance to see as well. Being you’ve played everywhere from halls to theaters and more, how do you adapt playing a festival stage?
My stuff lends itself more to a listening room. I play a lot of ballads, which don’t tend to be too rockin’, so it’s a bigger stretch for me to adapt to a larger stage, but this’ll be fun to do.