Turnpike's "Red Dirt" Will Go Down Fine On Montana Summer Evening

Among all the concert news breaking for 2026, this week's announcement that the Turnpike Troubadours are finally coming back through Missoula may present our best chance at plugging into true musical genius and authenticity.

That's because this is a band that quietly carries the banner for what it really means to be committed to your craft, and how it moves people.

And while "Turnpike" is known to pack stadium shows, Western Montana's chances to catch Evan Felker and crew have been infrequent and limited to smaller venues.

That changes this summer when Turnpike will take the stage at the Kettlehouse Amphitheater.

Coming off a 20th anniversary

Felker and R.C. Edwards formed the band in Oklahoma in 2005, quickly rising in prominence in the "Red Dirt" scene because of their rock-solid performances and three critically acclaimed albums, culminating in their self-titled "Turnpike Troubadors" album in 2015.

That album went all the way to #3 on the country charts, and #5 on the rock charts, and it looked like "Turnpike" was on the cusp of a major breakthrough. But then Felker had to step away from the stage to work on his sobriety and save his marriage.

🎸 The rest of the band soldiered on with a variety of individual projects, but they, and their fans, never gave up.

Even better than before

In January 2022, it was announced that "Turnpike" was back, debuting with a limited run of shows, including a celebrated comeback at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheater. That was followed by "Cat in Rain", which showed the fans had forgotten. Then, Shooter Jennings stepped in and helped produce "The Price of Admission", released last spring. That's yielded more favorites, including "Heaven Passing Through", a heartfelt ballad about the changes someone experiences through the passing of their lives, their biggest hit on the country charts yet.

Back in Missoula

This is the first time Turnpike Troubadours have been back in Missoula since giving a spectacular show at Stage 112 in downtown Missoula in July 2015, as they were passing through to the Braun Brothers Reunion down in Challis, Idaho.

That show was an amazing treat, with only about 250 fans getting a chance to savor the band's energy from mere feet away in the small venue. Trust me, it's one of the best shows I've ever seen, and I'm someone who sat in the front row as a little kid when Johnny Cash was in his 1960s heyday, and got to see Tom Petty in his late 90s prime.

It won over a bunch of new Montana fans, as we got to mingle with the band when they came outside for a smoke break after the show. It was that kind of evening.