The Yellowstone Gateway Museum’s final Ranching Roundup: Story and Song speaker series program is Wednesday, November 13, 7:00 pm, Park Photo, 115 S. Main St., Livingston. Montana singer/songwriter, actor, playwright, author, and poet Neal Lewing presents “The F.A.R.M. Show,” a Farm and Ranch Musical tribute, a fast-paced family-friendly show using music, poetry, history, legends, lies and a few laughs to celebrate the myriad aspects of agriculture through the ages.

Lewing describes The F.A.R.M. Show as “Hee-Haw meets Prairie Home Companion.” Program attendees can expect to hear stirring ballads, cowboy poetry, raucous outlaw songs, timeless anecdotes, comic routines and personal stories from one of Montana’s last troubadours. “I grew up in farm country,” Lewing states, “and spent a good part of my youth on the Montana prairies. I know what it takes to coax a living from the land and I want to show my appreciation to those who perform a thankless job. It ain’t easy.”

In a lifelong musical career, Neal’s Montana roots taught him that the lure of a good story cannot be ignored and music is a powerful teaching tool. From Arizona deserts to Pacific Northwest peaks to the mid-western heartland, Neal’s music has inspired, educated and entertained with warm western charm and romance, driven by a classically trained four-octave voice and breezy guitar style reminiscent of the ‘70s coffee shop era where he cut his musical teeth. He has offered a series of one-man music and history shows in the region for a decade, performing all the way to Ireland.

Lewing mostly grew up in Missoula, attended University of Montana on a vocal scholarship, majoring in music and anthropology. Lewing is also managing director of the Port Polson Players, a live theatre and performing arts education group in western Montana since 1976. Next year marks his fiftieth year in the entertainment business.

The free program is open to the public, and refreshments are served. American Bank is sponsoring the program. Rob Park of Park Photo is providing the venue. Neptune’s Brewery and Glenn’s Food and Spirits are contributing beverages; other refreshments provided by Friends of the Yellowstone Gateway Museum. Donations are appreciated. Doors open at 6:30 pm.

“Rancher. Citizen Activist. Montana 1997,” an exhibit of black and white photographs will be at Park Photo during the speaker series, featuring photography by John Gayusky. He photographed nine ranches from Sweet Grass County to Circle in eastern Montana, documenting what inspired and motivated ranchers and their involvement in natural resource and agricultural policy making. The ranchers were members of the Northern Plains Resource Council.

Watch for more information about upcoming programs or contact Karen Reinhart at 222-4184 or kreinhart@parkcounty.org. Visit our Facebook page, yellowstonegatewaymuseum.