Musician Chuck Suchy gives memorial concert

North Dakota songwriter and musician Chuck Suchy will honor the late Pete Skibsrud — his champion supporter, as well as a loyal ambassador to the Northwest Montana History Museum — with a memorial concert Nov. 5 at the museum.

Those who knew Skibsrud — and many did — knew him to be a community-minded citizen, known not only for the historic bridge he bought to save from demolition, but more for the bridges he built to others throughout his life.

A folk musician, songwriter and farmer from Mandan, North Dakota, who has performed frequently in Kalispell and around Montana, Suchy has released seven albums, many on the well-known Flying Fish label, with songs ranging from the“Burma Shave Boogie” and“The Story of Hazel Miner” to “Indian Dreamer”.

His long-standing gift for high-plains music, stellar guitar work and emotive singing earned him the title of North Dakota’s official troubadour during that state’s centennial celebration in 1989.

Suchy met Skibsrud while performing in Kalispell about 15 years ago.

“I was doing concerts at the KM Theater … We visited afterwards and then he offered to help with promotion, taking tickets at the door, and selling CDs for me.”

Skibsrud died at 76 in November 2021.

"I knew of no one more dedicated to the Kalispell and Flathead Valley community than Pete Skibsrud,” said Jacob Thomas, former executive director of the Northwest Montana History Museum.

CONCERT DETAILS

The Pete Skibsrud Memorial Concert will take place at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at the Northwest Montana History Museum.

Special guests include Lorin Hicks on harmonica, Lee Zimmerman on cello and Ed Boggs on mandolin.

A donation of $15 is suggested to cover Suchy’s travel expenses and support the museum.

The Northwest Montana History Museum is located at 124 Second Ave. E., in Kalispell. Call 406-756-8381 for more information.