Originally owned by local generational ranchers Lee and Polly Spann, Missy and Phil Chamberland’s 70 acres of wildflowers dotted with wild roses and raspberries, interspersed throughout the hay meadows, are pure pastoral heaven. Ribboned with the winding Slate River, the property boasts three-quarters of a mile of soothing and therapeutic riverfront – the shining jewel of the land. Missy follows in the footsteps of Lee Spann’s mother as an avid fisherwoman, and she and Phil grace their table with fresh brown and rainbow trout with enviable regularity. Black bear, moose and fox additionally claim this as their home, while cow elk move their calves between meadow and river in the spring. Unrestrained views of Paradise Divide, Crested Butte Mountain and Teocali stretch in every imaginable direction, inspiring the Chamberlands to orient their home perfectly to rock on the front porch for the sunrise, and the back porch for the sunset.
As a VIP guest, take full advantage of the intimate proximity of Whetstone’s alpenglow, under which the Chamberland property rests, in this delightful all al fresco summer dining experience with Chef Michael Marsee. Chef Michael graduated from the New England Culinary Institute with honors before traveling the world as a Private Chef for a prominent family based in Dubai, then settling back into Colorado as Executive Chef on a private ranch. His dishes flaunt layers of textures and flavors from his international experiences. Michael’s prowess emerges from the wide range of experiences he’s led as a chef – from rustic open fire cooking on cattle drives, to precision modern techniques for more elegant gatherings. With Hogwood BBQ, Chef Michael creates artisanal barbeque, smoking meat with local orchard wood, creating a flavor distinct to this corner of Colorado. Starting with a pepper based rub, he mixes bold spices within it to create the dark bark on the skin. His barbeque sauce is a unique combination of pepper, sweet and vinegar that complements the meat without masking the wonderful aroma and flavor of the smoke.
After dinner, VIP and General Admission guests get the rare opportunity of a live concert held in the wide meadows and under the broad skies of this little mountain haven. Nashville underground musician Travis Meadows is overwhelmingly recognized in songwriter circles as a true artist and unforgettable performer, raising chills with his raspy-voiced storytelling and heartrending confessionals. The rawness of his words and vocals rise up from a deep well of honesty, chiseled through pain and loss, death and rebirth. A Mississippi childhood; learning to drink his coffee black in dives off the highway; his battles with cancer, alcohol, drugs, God and demons are all characters in his music. Originally from Jackson, Travis laid the foundation for his career making the rounds at local bars and clubs, performing with legendary blues players such as Sam Myers (Anson Funderburg and the Rockets) and Fingers Taylor (Jimmy Buffett). His songs have been recorded by country music icons and rockers alike … Lynyrd Skynyrd, Hank Williams Jr., Wynonna Judd, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Jake Owen, Blackberry Smoke and Randy Houser, among many others. Rolling Stone Country exclaims of Travis, “Nashville’s most badass songwriter … has penned some of country’s most stinging songs.”
VIP tickets include dinner and drinks from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.; special VIP parking; table seating right in front of the concert stage, where dinner is also served; and special cash bar in the VIP section during the concert.
General Admission tickets will also enjoy a cash bar with the concert beginning at 7:30 p.m.