Munsick gets a surprise

Friday, June 7, 2024 – Wyoming native Ian Munsick returned to the Rocky Mountain region on Wednesday for his sold-out headlining debut at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Col.

He ended the 24-song set by being adopted into the Crow tribe.

"Red Rocks was the greatest night of my musical life," said Munsick. "The songs I create are inspired by the magic that surrounds that venue. Getting to experience that unity in real time with 10,000 people who were elevating that energy is now a core memory. This Rocky Mountain boy was in heaven for 90 minutes. So surreal and even spiritual. I can honestly say that playing Red Rocks has changed my life."

Munsick started the evening with an upbeat, fiddle-laden performance of "Mountain Time" off his debut album "Coyote Cry."

Munsick played old and new in his set, tributing his roots with "Me Against The Mountain," while also showcasing his growth since moving to Nashville 10 years ago, with recent releases "Heartbreak King" and "Leather," which served as the title track on Cody Johnson's ACM nominated Album of the Year. Fellow Wyoming native Ryan Charles joined Munsick for their viral hit "Cowboy Killer."

Prior to performing his ode to the American West, "Indian Paintbrush," Munsick was joined on-stage by JoRee LaFrance, a member of the Crow Tribe, who has a long history with the Munsick family. A former student of Munisck's father, Dave, LaFrance grew up around the Munsicks and heavily influenced Munsick's musical journey. Due to this close tie, along with Munsick's dedication to authentically representing the west, LaFrance surprised him on-stage by officially adopting him into the Apsaalooke/Crow Tribe.

"As Apsaalooke/Crow people, we heavily rely on our clan system, Ashaammalixxia/Where the Driftwood Lodges. We are a matrilineal society with currently six clans with Uuwaataasshe/Greasy Mouth being one of them," said LaFrance. "I am Greasy Mouth and I am a child of the Ties the Bundle clan. Greasy Mouths are known to be good hunters, their power comes from the sun, and are the same clan as Iichiikbaaliia/First Maker. I adopted Ian into my family and clan because of our longtime friendship with the Munsick family and the fact he comes from Crow Country. "

"They have always shown nothing but love and respect to my twin sister and I. We have always been family. I gave Ian four gifts to welcome him into our tribe. As Apsaalooke, we take adoption very seriously; being adopted means that you are valued and truly a part of our family and community," she said. "Our people are his people now and nobody can question that. Crow Country loves Ian and we want him to know that we will always welcome him home."

Concluding the evening with the band that inspired his career, Munsick was joined by The Munsick Boys comprised of his father, Dave, and brothers, Tris and Sam, for a performance of one of his first recordings, a cover of Wade Montgomery's "Weakness."