Montana’s Lil’ Smokies bring bluegrass concert to Boise

The Lil’ Smokies are a modern take on a bluegrass band. “Slept in the garage in San Francisco/On the same night David Bowie died,” frontman Andy Dunnigan sings on “San Fran.” The Missoula, Montana-based definitely appreciates tradition, however — particularly high-speed pickin’. The string musicians trade blazing solos effortlessly while the banjo gets plucked with the rhythm of a woodpecker. It’s added up to plenty of accolades over seven years, mostly recently the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Momentum Band of 2016.

This story was originally published January 5, 2017 at 4:55 PM.