Crown of the Continent musicians shine

The sixth annual Crown of the Continent Guitar Workshop and Festival descended on the Flathead Lake Lodge in Bigfork this week.

For the 96 registered student participants, hundreds of involved artists-in-residence, faculty, staff, volunteers, instructors and professional musicians (and thousands of public spectators) who have been involved this week, one thing is for certain: There’s power in music.

For some it’s just the power to get away for an evening of live music. For others, it’s a chance to hone playing and teaching skills.

For Tyvon Hewitt, it’s a life-altering opportunity.

Hewitt, 23, was born and raised in Washington, D.C. He is here for the first time as a workshop participant with help from a scholarship through Guitars Not Guns.

“I never thought I’d be in Montana,” Hewitt said. “It’s surreal, looking around every day and seeing Lee [Ritenour] and Jon [Herington] and so many other greats ... The whole thing, the whole process is beautiful.”

Hewitt grew up in a rough D.C. neighborhood where violence and hard times are the norm. Despite the atmosphere, there was something about music that held his attention from a young age.

He said he listened to the radio nonstop, to the point where his mother would have to force him to go outside.

“I’d go out and sit on the curb and pout,” Hewitt said. “I was like, ‘Somebody get me some headphones!’”

When Hewitt was 18, he took a job at a grocery store with the intent of saving up for a guitar. After buying his first instrument from a pawn shop, he took to YouTube to teach himself how to play because he couldn’t afford lessons.

It was at that point he discovered Guitars Not Guns. The national nonprofit offers instruments and lessons to at-risk, inner-city students who might otherwise not have musical and creative opportunities.

Gregg Hammond is the president of the D.C. chapter of Guitars Not Guns and also volunteers as an instructor there. This is his third summer spent on Flathead Lake with the Crown of the Continent Workshop.

Hammond said this year is special because he was able to bring Hewitt with him.

“Seeing [Hewitt] as excited as he is and the effect that’s having on him, that’s fuel for me not to quit,” Hammond said. “It’s a whole other side of mentorship.”

Hammond added: “Because he’s experiencing this, he’ll be able to go back and be really effective” teaching.

Hammond’s goal by next year is to be able to bring six students to the workshop. He said the chance to participate is invaluable, particularly for students coming from a place with no resources.

“There’s something about music that’s stronger than everything,” Hammond said.

Hewitt has gone from being a student to serving as a teacher with Guitars Not Guns. He said playing music has opened a lot of doors in his life, and serving as an instructor now is his way of paying it forward to others.

“Music has the power to show kids they can go wherever they want, do whatever they want,” Hewitt said. “And to know your instrument is that powerful ... Music has the ultimate power to bring people together.”

Steve Anderson, Crown of the Continent Guitar Foundation’s executive director and founding board member, said that’s what the foundation, festival and workshop are all about.

“The diversity, the camaraderie, the music ... that’s absolutely why we’re here,” Anderson said.

He said providing an environment where all ages, ability levels and musical genres can mix and collaborate is at the heart of the foundation’s mission.

“It’s fantastic to see that [collaboration] happen,” Anderson said. “Music is never done, it’s never finished. We want people here who can learn from everyone, be part of it and give back when they leave.

“The music industry doesn’t prioritize [artist] development anymore, and we’re trying to fill that gap. We want to help develop the next generation.”

In the years since its founding in 2009, the Crown of the Continent Guitar Foundation has seen a boom of growth and support. The first workshop and festival in the summer of 2010 had 48 participants and five evenings of public concerts.

This year there are 96 participants and seven nights of festival performances. There are 14 local participants who received full scholarships to attend the workshop and an additional five students who were awarded scholarships from the Salish Kootenai College Foundation. Eight Crown Guitar Fellowships were also awarded this year.

Anderson said none of the foundation’s work would be possible without the sponsors and donors who have offered support through the years.

“It’s so Montana,” Anderson said. “We’ve had just incredible in-kind support. That outpouring is just one of the things that makes the Flathead Valley special.”

Anderson said the foundation plans to continue growing and expanding the workshop and festival programs.

“Music is universal and never-ending,” Anderson said. “We are very excited with where we’re at and where we’re going.”

Meanwhile, Hewitt said his week has been filled with “musical epiphanies.”

“It’s really refreshing to be in this environment,” he said. “To be together and grow ... It’s humbling.”

This is Hewitt’s first trip to Montana, and he said he loves it already and isn’t sure he wants to go home.

“I might go feral,” he joked.

The Crown of the Continent Festival continues tonight with the Students’ Night on Stage concert and culminates Saturday night with the Extravaganza show.

The student showcase tonight is free and open to the public.

Gates open at 6 p.m. and music begins on the main stage at 7 p.m. Gates for the Extravaganza tomorrow open at 4 p.m. with main stage events beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets for the final concert are $35 and available at www.crownguitarfest.tix.com or by calling 855-855-5900.

After the shows and classes wrap up, Hewitt said he is “ready to see the world.”

He said he can’t imagine what his life would look like without music and the opportunities playing has given him. When asked what advice he could offer young musicians who are just getting started, his answer was almost as powerful as his guitar:

“There’s always someone better, but there’s always the opportunity to get better. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and stick to it.”

Entertainment Editor Stefanie Thompson can be reached at 758-4439 or ThisWeek@dailyinterlake.com.