Dunnigan Fest: 'One heck of a party'

Four bars, dozens of musicians and a townwide celebration and fundraiser: That’s what Dunnigan Fest will be all about on May 28.

Dunnigan Fest is a benefit event for local musician John Dunnigan and his family. Dunnigan fell ill earlier this year and now has “a stack of bills that would choke a draft horse.”

While his ailment hasn’t dulled his humor, it has prevented him from performing since January. The medical bills, coupled with the income loss of not booking shows and challenges getting insurance coverage, have taken a toll.

On May 28, the community has a chance to give back to the performer who has given so much over the years.

“[The benefit] is going to be really fun,” Dunnigan said. “It’s going to be unbelievable. Extraordinary.” 

Dunnigan Fest will involve a large part of the downtown Whitefish community, which is appropriate considering Dunnigan’s history there.

Dunnigan first came to the Flathead Valley touring with a band out of California in the mid-1970s. It wasn’t long before he decided to make Montana his home.

Dunnigan played with various local bands in his early years here, as well as working odd jobs to make ends meet. In the early 1980s he decided to go solo, with the goal of making enough to support a family just working as a professional musician.

Four albums, hundreds of shows and thousands of fans later, Dunnigan has achieved what he set out to do. Whitefish is now home base for Dunnigan and his family. He has performed around the valley and across the region full time for more than 30 years.

The Dunnigan Fest event will feature a multitude of musicians performing in various venues in Whitefish: Great Northern Bar and Grill, 27 Central Ave.; Crush Lounge, 124 Central Ave.; Tupelo Grille, 17 Central Ave.; and Craggy Range Bar and Grill, 10 Central Ave.

Confirmed performers for the evening include the Red Hot Blue Chips, God Fearing Women and Smart Alex at Craggy Range; Halladay and Rob Quist and Tim Ryan at Crush; Second Wind, The Stringlers and Jack Gladstone at Tupelo; and David Walburn, Doug Rommereim, Brent Jameson and Donny Rifkin, the Bad Larrys and the Lil’ Smokies at the Great Northern.

Scott Johnston, Christian Johnson, Andre Floyd, Jeff Arcel and many other performers are rumored to be making appearances.

David Griffith, musician, owner of local recording house Snoring Hound Studios and longtime friend of Dunnigan, is in charge of booking and organizing the musicians for the benefit.

“Convincing the musicians to play wasn’t tough at all,” Griffith said. “People want to help and this is the way they know how.

“It’s going to be fun. It’s a neat idea being downtown-wide. With music all over, it allows for more people to be a part of it.”

Dunnigan Fest wristbands are $20 and allow access to all the primary venues. Raffle tickets will be on sale throughout the evening as well, with prizes such as a trip to Las Vegas, donated by Allegiant Air, an original painting, created and donated by Colt Idol, and concert tickets to a show of the winner’s choice at the Crown Guitar Festival, donated by the Crown of the Continent Guitar Foundation.

Dunnigan merchandise and event souvenirs will be available at the four primary venues. The items for sale are all limited editions and are expected to sell out.

Wristbands, raffle tickets and merchandise are not available in advance. Doors open for Dunnigan Fest at 6 p.m. on May 28.

All proceeds go to the Dunnigan family. All of the musicians, artists and organizers of the event are volunteering their time and talents.

Daily Inter Lake Managing Editor Frank Miele was entertainment editor from 1984 until 2000, and developed a working relationship with Dunnigan that extended for many years.

“I dubbed John the ‘clown prince of local performers’ and the ‘Grin Reaper’ because watching a Dunnigan performance was not just a musical experience; it was about having a good time,” Miele said. “That hasn’t changed, and while Dunnigan is a brilliant singer-songwriter, it’s the human side of him that makes him so beloved in Whitefish and everywhere he performs.”

Miele pointed out that Dunnigan has always been one of the first musicians to volunteer his time to a good cause, including benefits for those who are down on their luck.

“Helping John pay off his medical bills now is just the community repaying a debt to a great guy who has always been there for others. Plus, I guarantee he will make you laugh. That’s worth way more than $20.”

The website https://helpjohndunnigan.wordpress.com was set up by Dunnigan family friend Scott Moore immediately after Dunnigan became ill as a way to communicate with and update friends and fans.

On March 1, John and Andrea’s oldest son, Andy Dunnigan, took to the blog with an update.

“Guitar in hand for the past 30 years, my father certainly has had and continues to have an immeasurable impact on the Flathead Valley’s community,” Andy wrote. “Never turning down a request to donate his time for the innumerable benefits, charity organizations, sports fundraisers, humane societies … you name it. He undoubtedly and sincerely loves to help. Now, it’s him who could use the support.”

John said he originally wasn’t wild about a benefit event.

“There are so many people in worse situations than me,” Dunnigan said. “My guitars are all paid for.”

Andrea said she considers the community’s support a blessing.

“John has played many benefits throughout his career,” Andrea said. “He never said no when someone needed help. People haven’t forgotten that. We can’t thank people enough.”

The Dunnigans’ youngest son, Jimmy, echoed his mother’s sentiments.

“Thanks to everyone in the community,” Jimmy said. “It’s awesome how much love and support we’ve gotten from the entire town.”

All the Dunnigans said they are gratefully looking forward to Dunnigan Fest.

“Wow – It’s going to be quite the show,” Jimmy said.

“I’m just in awe of all my friends in the valley,” John said. “All of the support and the whole event … It’s really unbelievable. The whole thing has been incredibly humbling beyond belief.”

There are many pieces to fit together and many people working behind the scenes to make an event of this magnitude happen. At the center of the planning and execution is the staff of the Great Northern Bar and Grill.

“This is John’s home,” said Scott Larkin, general manager of the Great Northern. “He’s been playing here for 25 years.”

Larkin said the planning for Dunnigan Fest has been sometimes stressful but mostly fun.

“A lot of people are involved, and we’re just having a good time,” Larkin said. “For [John] we’re more than happy to do it.”

Dunnigan has been a staple on Thursday nights at the Northern for a large part of his career. Dunnigan Fest will mark his return to the local stage.

The Lil’ Smokies, a bluegrass band based in Missoula, includes Andy Dunnigan in the lineup. The Smokies will headline the Dunnigan Fest event from the Great Northern stage.

Larkin estimates that the Lil’ Smokies will take the stage around 9 p.m. John plans to join the group for at least one set.

“I’m excited,” John said. “Playing music … It’s my life. I’m just ready to be playing again.”

John plans to resume his regular solo Thursday night shows at the Northern beginning June 4. He said he is already booked to play at the Boat Club at the Lodge at Whitefish Lake on June 5 and June 6 as well.

This summer he plans to perform at fairs and festivals around the region, just as he’s done so many summers before. He said he doesn’t currently have any plans to record new material, but he is working on a new song called “Oh What a Mess, My Pancreas.”