Pearl Jam continue to prove newsworthy – even when they’re not doing anything as a band!Jeff’s Montana Roots: Big Sandy, Montana U.SA – a wee little town in north central Montana a “small town” with “big dreams” according to the town’s official website…familiar to Pearl Jam fans as the hometown of our favorite bass player Jeff Ament. Born in Havre and raised in Big Sandy, Jeff remained in Montana throughout college, attending the University of Montana in Missoula before heading west to Seattle to create musical history.
One of the more major news publications in the state, the Great Falls Tribune, has created a series entitled “125 Montana Newsmakers”, featuring “famous and infamous” folk that have ties to Big Sky Country. What profile would be complete without one of the state’s most creative, fabulous natives – why Jeff of course!
Go here for the complete mini-profile; excerpted highlights below. We previously covered Jeff’s Montana-based philanthropy in the form of a skatepark here, and his participation in Montana’s “Paint The State” project here.
It’s been nearly 30 years since Jeff Ament graduated from Big Sandy High School and headed west to do his part in changing the face of rock and roll. As one of the founders of Pearl Jam, Ament not only plays a key role in one of the biggest bands in the world, he makes sure that he never forgets his roots in Montana.
Just last month, Ament christened a new skate park in tiny Big Sandy, footing the bill for the $40,000 project and attending the grand opening. He’s contributed money to other parks in the state too, most notably Missoula’s Mobash Skatepark where he secured funds from Pearl Jam to kick start the project.
The musician was born in Havre but moved to Big Sandy when he was a baby. His father, George, was a longtime barber in Big Sandy and also served as the mayor at one point.
Ament has also been involved in state politics, bringing Pearl Jam to Missoula in the summer of 2005 for a benefit concert for Jon Tester in his initial bid for the Senate.
Jeff from Big Sandy, Mt High School via Great Falls Tribune
Bradtastic! Stone Gossard and his stupendously great Pearl Jam side project Brad completed a handful of dates on the West Coast, plunging into Seattle’s High Dive on December 5th and 6th, classing up the Jimmy Kimmel show on December 7th, and glamming up the Roxy in L.A. on December 8th!
Here is the song that you didn’t get to see more than a few seconds of on Jimmy Kimmel Live – amazing rocker “Low” ; you can see “Every Whisper” here.
And one more thing: While in L.A. recently, Brad’s Shawn Smith and Stone Gossard spoke to Rockerazzi.com in this exclusive video. Watch it, yo!
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I have a hard time understanding why San Francisco was left out.
I wouldn’t panic yet Selin.
I have a hard time understanding why Canada was left out. :/
Really ya’ll want to go that route, how about us Europeans they have never even made it across the pond ; D