Kort at the Wort

From JH Weekly, Edition 6/8/11Jackson Hole, Wyo.-Burning up the highway miles in his mini Winnebago motor home, Americana singer-songwriter Kort McCumber is a rare bird on the Rocky Mountain circuit. Through his solo performances, shows with his band High Road, and his duo Moors and McCumber with James Moors, McCumber’s various outlets keep him consistently creating—and on the road. He has 20 dates in June alone, traveling from his small town of Gold Hill, Colo. through Utah, Idaho, Wyoming and New Mexico.“I prefer bands that bring an original, unique sound and vibe to the bar, and that is why Kort is a perfect fit,” said Alicia Guzman, the Silver Dollar Bar’s talent buyer .Besides occasional shows at Town Square Tavern, the Silver Dollar was the only in-town venue during the off-season to offer live music on a consistent basis—at least three nights per week. Keeping the lively character intact has paid off, as the bar was busy in April and May.“Live music is extremely important to the Silver Dollar,” Guzman said. “We offer it Tuesday, Friday and Saturday nights year-round, and we’ve also added a jazz night on the first Thursday of every month. The atmosphere in the bar changes completely once the music starts. It is a very special place.”The Rocky Mountain circuit is not the easiest region to log thousands of road miles as a nomadic musician. McCumber has broken-in this path over the last 10 years. With a personality that fits the mountain life vibe and the ability to convert a sense of place into a catalog of crafty Americana songs, McCumber chose the Boulder area over Nashville nearly a decade ago.“The mentality is a little different in the Southeast, and the competitiveness of Nashville was hard to take,” McCumber said. “People around here are open to pushing the envelope rather than keeping the music rigid, and I like the camaraderie of musicians here.”McCumber has made Jackson a regular stop for the last few years, and our local scene has provided a welcoming affection. McCumber’s touring band ranges from solo to trio, with Colorado shows seeing up to six members. So scooping up some local talent is a great way to explore new ensemble arrangements while saving space in the vehicle.“I met Kort about 10 minutes before one of his shows at the Wort,” Driggs musician Greg Creamer said. “I didn’t know any of his material, but ended up having a smokin’ evening. He has some really cool, syncopated backbeat rhythms.”McCumber has released seven albums, six of them solo, as well as the DVD Live Licks from the Boulder Theater. Feeling a gravitation towards blues-rock, McCumber co-wrote tunes with Moors and Kevin DeForrest to produce the spring ‘09 release of “Ain’t the Same as Before.” There’s a real Darrell Scott/John Hiatt vibe to the recording, and you can bet on some fine pickin’ when he plays the tunes live.“I’m most comfortable in life when I am playing music,” McCumber said, who tours with a guitar, mandolin and bouzouki. “I always hope that will carry over to the crowd. I love that transfer of energy.”Kort McCumber Band, 7:30 to 11 p.m., Saturday, Silver Dollar Bar. Free. 733-2190.