Damon and Reuben Vold arrived about the same time I did at the gallery space. I had been there earlier to hang artwork, hammer and level in hand, and now was the moment of truth: did we really pull it off? Or, more accurately, were we about to really pull it off?

During the day, usually about six days a week, I’m out either mowing lawns or landscaping. One day, landscaping, Damon, who works with me, and I were talking, and I invited him to play at my art opening, never having heard his music. He agreed, and said that he’d try to talk his brother Reuben into playing as well. Reuben agreed, and The Brothers Vold made their debut at the CTA debut into the Missoula First Friday community.

It was a night of firsts. It was my first “official” art exhibit of the year, opening in a real gallery space instead of just an alley. (Though I really enjoy the alley shows.) It was the first time CTA had participated in First Friday. (Interestingly, the fact that I even exhibited at CTA is a direct result of my alley shows. The office manager for CTA dropped by the alley in June, and I got an email from her the following Monday inviting me to participate in First Friday at CTA.) And it wasn’t until Damon and Reuben began playing that I learned they had never played together publicly. Very cool. And they sounded great together.

The turnout, however, was not as good as I had expected for the number of postcards that went out. I also sent out a blast email and blast text messages, which, incidentally, was a successful experiment. One of the couples that attended the show because of the SMS message, and they ended up buying a piece. I’m chalking the turnout up to the fact that CTA is a little out of the way, and they have never participated in First Friday before, so many folks didn’t know to come down unless they had received some sort of mailing from me, or read about it in the Independent (our weekly newspaper in town).

I’ll have another chance at a better turnout when they have a Grand Opening to reflect the new direction they’re taking towards towards green building.

Overall, it was a great show. I sold two pieces on opening night, and hope to be selling more as the month progresses, especially on August 23rd when they have their grand opening reception. More on that here as I get details.