Behind The Scenes
Murder Ballad 3
Chadster, the film crew and Officer Johnson after filming the police chase scene in -20 temperatures.
Sunset banjoin’ on Hawaii Isle during filming.
These poor gals got an eyeful during filming on “Naked Hippie Beach” in Hawaii.
Wes and AJ after filming a drone scene where Chadster had to run a mile in the Pololu Valley, Hawaii.
Selfie with the Grim Reaper after filming for the video finished in Montana.
Multiple law enforcement agencies were looking for Chadster before he was caught in Hawaii, but then he dodged a hanging in Montana by bribing the Grim Reaper and escaping on horseback.
Crazy Town
Jeff earned some filming credits during two trips on the Smith River.
Preparing for the Viking funeral scene on the Yellowstone River at the end of filming.
The Viking replica boat built by Wes Urbaniak goes down in flames during the last day of filming.
It’s hard to see, but Django is watching a bear on the Blackfoot River in Montana.
Keeping it real with AJ and Jessica in downtown Billings on the final night of filming.
Django protecting the camp from the moose and beaver on the Madison River after filming a scene.
The Participant
Getting rad with neon and a Zima during filming on the Beartooth Pass in Wyoming.
One result of receiving so many participation ribbons is an ingrained and undeserved sense of accomplishment.
The DeLorean was a legit Back to the Future replica complete with a flux capacitor, sound effects and lighting.
Maybe the first time someone scissor–kicked on stage while playing a banjo and wearing a fanny pack and participant sash.
There were injuries during filming of the skateboarding scenes.
Participating is as exhausting as Zima’s are refreshing.
It’s Friday Night
This was one of the last scenes to be filmed. BanjoNinja was told to make sure his glass was empty by the end of it. He improvised in true BN fashion.
Django’s not sure about the dead guy riding shotgun, but he would be interested in getting a van like this to expand his navigating horizons.
The whole crew got to be in on this one. DEA, KGB, and even the damn Pinkertons!
This was shot at the Gallatin History Museum in Bozeman. Don’t worry though, BanjoNinja’s not alone in there…
BN’s family actually helped with the majority of the filming for this project and even got to film on the same river from Deliverance.
Don’t ask questions about what’s happening here.
Singing Underwater
BN and the crew got to meet Montana legend “Piano Pat” Spoonheim. This is one of about a hundred photos taken with her.
The last time BN played “Wonderwall” in public.
This scene was based on a real life event. BN was going to film a scene for “It’s Friday Night” in the bar he was actually kicked out of (he was invited back) but unfortunately it didn't happen. Thanks COVID-19.
The background vocals were performed by four talented Laurel High School Honor Choir students.
BanjoNinja is swimming in the mermaid pool at the Sip n Dip here. Steve wore a mermaid tail. Nothing more needs to be said.
In this moment, BN is on his second fishbowl and loudly singing along with Piano Pat to the tune of “Sweet Caroline”.
This is the third.
Endless Metaphor
In lower water you can paddle into this limestone cave. In higher water you can almost drown in it, Jeff.
Steve ponders an ominous warning sign on the way up to the pictograph cave: “If you fall you will die.”
Though not as elusive as the Sasquatch, Deliverance Guy can be difficult to spot on the limestone cliffs high above the Smith River.
Day two is when the Smith starts to change your life.
You can’t run from who you are, but you should most definitely try.
Day three of filming at Middle Sunset Cliff.
Montana River
“Shadows on cave walls, a certain company.” Steve found this awesome cave west of Bozeman.
Django, BN, Jeff and Steve on day one of filming on the Yellowstone River.
Django protecting Jeff while he waits for him to get the jerky out.
The Navigator.
Launch day on the ‘stone.
Django trying to drown out the screeching sound coming out of that guy’s mouth.
Windfall
Lottery winner: Best. Human. Ever.
If anyone wants to know where to get a liver on the cheap, Chadster knows a guy.
Chadster pretending to be original while remaining wholly ignorant of that Bob Dylan video.
Chad was supposed to be working but instead was indulging in a lottery fantasy.
Having a hard time holding these alligators down.
One of the two classes of Laurel High School art kids who made the signs for the video on short notice. You all rock!!!
Going to Yellowstone
There were a lot of photos taken of Yellowstone Guy by tourists during the video shoot over two days. They had to hire a Park Ranger during this scene and the ones at Old Faithful to do crowd control.
Seeing Steamboat Geyser erupt used to be a rarity, but in the fall of 2018 it was a frequent occurrence. The “mad director” Wes Urbaniak is on the right.
Blending in at Yellowstone National Park.
A quick selfie then into the trunk for you, baby bison. He looks cold.
It took two weeks of scouring antique shops and pawn shops to find “the trike.”
Gratuitous Old Faithful tourist phone photo.