Fan’s Chance Encounter With Major Country Star, Downtown Missoula

A star-struck listener shared with us a thrilling evening she won't soon forget.

And who could blame her for being over the moon? During my career as a country music announcer, I've had the chance to go back stage and meet some of the biggest names in the biz, from Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood to Reba to Brooks and Dunn to Alan Jackson...but back stage is one thing. To be stunned by the presence of a superstar who just happened to be having dinner at the same time and place as you? That is awesome!

Kymberlee Bouldin was kind enough to share some of the photos she and her companions took with Wynonna Judd, who just happened to be passing through town and was enjoying dinner at 1889 in downtown Missoula Monday evening, September 23. She did a concert in Billings a couple nights before and was in between shows, ahead of her next scheduled performance in Idaho Falls the next night. Kymberlee tells us that the night before, it was some relaxation time at the Top Hat.

It must be nerve-wracking to approach someone famous that you are a big fan of, unsure of what their reactions will be. I've met lots of them and done some interviews, including with Wynonna more years ago than I care to remember, when she came to Missoula opening for Clint Black during the "Black and Wy" tour. But that was all prearranged. The whole, "Excuse me, I hate to bother you, but..." is a completely different encounter.

Kymberlee said Wynonna, who was with her husband Cactus Moser, could not have been any more friendly, engaging and generous with her time. I echo Kymberlee's sentiments about Wy. While it was only a phone-in interview, she was very outgoing and gave me all the time I wanted to talk.

A great night for Kymberlee and company, not soon forgotten!