Author Archives: CharliesTrail

About CharliesTrail

Originally from Indianapolis, Denison is a writer and musician who has picked up culture and influences from eccentrics all over the U.S. and even overseas. He is a University of Kentucky Journalism School grad and an award-winning Montana journalist. Through the years he's had work published by "Chicken Soup From the Soul," DVD Netflix, Montana Quarterly Magazine, NUVO and others. He has a solo album, "Whispers of the Lonely," blending country, folk, blues and soul, and plays regularly with his band, Groove Creek. Currently Denison works for the Lewistown Area Chamber of Commerce, teaches guitar and writes as much as possible, be it fiction or non-fiction.

‘Learning to fly’ — and feeling right at home

Posted on September 18, 2022 by CharliesTrail

At a recent gathering in eastern Montana I ran into friend and lead guitar player Mark Iwaniak, who lives in Butte. I’d been looking forward to seeing Mark – with whom I’ve played shows through the years – to tell … Continue reading →

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Remembering Jim “Mighty Big” Devine

Posted on September 12, 2022 by CharliesTrail

The passing of Jim Devine has been a tremendously difficult loss for me, as we were brothers in harmony. We were songwriters and performers together. We were kindred spirits. These are the hardest friends to lose. I’m still processing his … Continue reading →

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Why I’m returning to journalism

Posted on July 9, 2022 by CharliesTrail

It’s good to be back. For more than a decade I was a reporter for twice-weekly Montana newspapers in Glendive and Lewistown. Before that, I was regularly contributing to one publication or another. Journalism consumed me. Looking back, it was … Continue reading →

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Distraction? Try this surprisingly sentimental Netflix romcom

Posted on March 17, 2022 by CharliesTrail

I know it’s late (or way early depending on how you want to look at it) to talk about holiday movies, but who doesn’t want a distraction right now? Why not revisit “the most wonderful time of the year” and … Continue reading →

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Show stoppers

Posted on June 30, 2021 by CharliesTrail

“You pretend I’m Laura and I’ll pretend you’re Christian,” Jamie said, putting her hand on my thigh and leaning into me as we watched a production of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at an outdoor theater on the coast of … Continue reading →

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Moving In

Posted on June 5, 2021 by CharliesTrail

She got off her bike and looked in the direction of the U-Haul. When we locked eyes everything escaped me, the past a distant memory. The moment I saw her I stopped caring about it all.  Stepping off her bike, … Continue reading →

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Remembering (and celebrating) Kobe’s greatness

Posted on May 20, 2021 by CharliesTrail

On May 15, 2021, Kobe Bryant was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Below is an entry I wrote in my journal shortly before the coronavirus changed all our lives. Here is updated version of a journal … Continue reading →

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Christmas Eve at the South Side Tavern

Posted on December 19, 2020 by CharliesTrail

Torrin finished his second Evan Williams and Coke and signaled Seth for another as he and a few other evening bar dwellers took in Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime” from the jukebox. “This song makes me think of shopping,” Seth said, … Continue reading →

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All aboard the “Zhu Choo”

Posted on November 27, 2020 by CharliesTrail

During the pandemic, ZHU, an electronic dance musician and Grammy-nominated recording artist, has made it a mission to “bring people to a place where they’ve never been.” He’s streamed from the mountains of western Japan, the sand dunes of southwestern … Continue reading →

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Talent Scout

Posted on August 23, 2020 by CharliesTrail

I jammed along to Blind Melon’s  “No Rain,” watching from my bedroom window as Adam pulled up in his old Mercedes-Benz. This was one of my favorite things to do. Rock out and night watch. There wasn’t a lot of … Continue reading →

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