Maybe it was you, maybe it was me, maybe it was Memphis, but on June 18 it’s all in Whitefish.  

Local troubadour Jo Smith has organized a benefit concert featuring the legendary Pam Tillis and local favorite, Archertown, to play at the O’Shaughnessy Center on Thursday, June 18.  

The show is the debut of the Big Sky Troubadours Legends Series and will benefit the Troubadour Arts Initiative, a new nonprofit created by Smith.  

The Troubadour Arts Initiative will host songwriting workshops and retreats to share music as a source of connection and storytelling. Smith aims to work with other nonprofits, students and veterans to offer therapeutic and educational experiences.  

The daughter of country star Mel Tillis and multi-media artist Doris Tillis, Pam Tillis has shown decades of prowess in country music since her 1991 debut album, “Put Yourself in My Place” went gold, followed by countless top songs like “Maybe it was Memphis.”  

Smith said Pam Tillis is one of her idols and has had a big influence on her.  

Smith spent 16 years building her music career in Nashville and was named to Rolling Stone’s “10 New Artists You Need to Know” in 2017 and to CMT’s Next Women of Country in 2018. When she moved to Nashville as a young artist, her producer introduced her to Tillis.  

“She’s a total queen,” said Smith, now a Whitefish resident. “She’s been a great mentor to me, and she agreed to come do this, which is awesome.” 

Smith and Tillis wrote a song together around 2010, and Smith will perform it live for the first time on June 18. 

Smith and Big Sky Troubadours also look forward to “Songwriters Behind the Headliners” on July 11. The evening will feature Casey Beathard and Mark Nesler, songwriters who helped craft songs for Chris Stapleton and Zach Top, this year’s Under the Big Sky festival headliners. 

Like the show on June 18, the July show will benefit a cause close to Smith’s heart - the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.  

A Navy Reservist and wife of a Navy SEAL of 22 years, Smith has wanted to support the cause for a long time. The foundation provides college educations to children of U.S. Special Operations personnel who lost their lives in service.  

“Supporting the families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice is something that resonates deeply here,” Smith said.  

Smith envisions the two upcoming concerts as inaugural events that will continue to give back to the community. 

For more information and to purchase tickets see bigskytroubadours.com 

Editor Kelsey Evans can be reached at 406-862-3505 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at whitefishpilot.com/support. 

    Pam Tillis and Jo Smith. (Photo provided)
  

    Pam Tillis. (Photo provided)