The first time I drove down Main Street Bozeman in 1979, it was very slowly. Slowly because I was curious about the line of people outside the Theater on the North side of Mainstreet called “The Ellen”.
The line consisted mostly of Cowboy hats on top of all types of bodies evidently waiting to get into a show at “The Ellen”. Everyone appeared relaxed ,as if waiting outside the theater talking to everyone else was part of the afternoon activity. I took a deep breath “Maybe I could sing there someday”. After moving to Bozeman and living there for maybe 3 years I went to a Concert at “The Rialto” Theater on the south side of Bozemans’ Main Street, across from “The Ellen” and was spell bound by the
Resounding voice of Holly Near. The natural acoustics of the theater amplified her voice with such perfection that the sound waves entered my head and was like a tonic of beauty to my brain. From then on I wanted to create beautiful sounds and sing in beautiful theaters.
Sharon Iltis is a singer-songwriter living in the mountains of Montana.