Interview: Jason Luithle, Ross Myran and Bryan Lange
Building the Bakken Radio Episode 3 Segment 3: Bakken Community
The Blue Ribbon Band has been performing at saloons, community events and other venues across the oil patch, including performing as live entertainment during the Mixed Martial Arts .
The members of Blue Ribbon Band that were interviewed for the segment were Jason Luithle, Ross Myran and Bryan Lange. All are natives of western North Dakota.
Luithle, was born and raised in Richardton. He said after he was married, he and his wife moved to Dickinson “til the Fall of 08′.” Luithle commented on the increase activity in around Dickinson, ND. Luithle also added that the oil activity doesn’t impact his day to day life as he farms and ranches far enough away from the action.
Lange, a Dickinson native, has worked in the oil and gas industry for the about a decade. The one thing that has impacted Lange the most in the increased traffic. Growing up in western North Dakota, Lange said the drive from Dickinson to Watford City used to be desolate and now it is a regular thing to see trucks and accidents. Lange said the other change he has noticed over the past five to ten years is an increase of general greed.
When asked if he had any oil patch “myth busters” or “facts,” Lange said the myth is that you can come to the oil patch and live a dream. He said if you come you will work hard just like anywhere else. He said you might get paid more, but things cost more.
Myran was born and raised in Taylor. He said people underestimate the amount of entertainment and night life available in the oil patch. Also that some industries are doing well, but there are some others being strained right now.
Myran said the oil patch “certainly hasn’t hurt” the attendance at events and bar owners seem more apt to hire a band these days.
Segment 3: Bakken Profiles
Kevin Holten, Editor of The Drill, spoke about the purpose of the publication and since it is monthly, he tries to “bring that behinds the scenes, a little more in-depth.” Holten said the publication has about 15-20 writers producing original columns and stories and has statewide distribution, bleeding into the eastern side of Montana.
Holten believes there is a great deal of interest in the Bakken and Western North Dakota. He said after stories have their initial run in The Drill, many of the stories will be picked up by newspapers within Forum Communications and even other media outlets.
To visit see a PDF of publication The Drill, click here, or visit their website at www.bakkentoday.com
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