Pitchforks & Mama Bird

The Chloe Raye "Blame It On Where I Grew Up" Tour

July 1, 2025 – Medora, ND

It was my first show in Medora, North Dakota, the historic small town whose western charm draws thousands of visitors annually.

Nestled in the Badlands, this community offers camping, hiking, golfing in the picturesque Bully Pulpit Golf Course, endless entertainment like the Medora Musical and Gospel Brunch, and glimpses of the past at the Chateau de Mores and the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, which is currently under construction.

Pitchforks

But it was the pitchforks that brought me here.  I was providing the background music for the Pitchfork Steak Fondue for six nights during my “Blame It On Where I Grew Up” tour.

On this first night, I sang what I thought might be the crowd’s favorite country songs, along with a couple of my originals that, hopefully, will also become their favorites.  More than 1,100 people chatted like old friends in line as they inched closer to the steak, skewered on a pitchfork and cooked in oil, which would be added to their metal buffet trays. 

Those savory steaks looked so good as guest after guest carried theirs in front of me while scanning the crowd for the picnic table where their family, friends or industry partners were seated.

(A word of caution for singer songwriters:  Never go to a show hungry.  Food can be distracting.) 

Mama Bird

After eight years of singing professionally, I’ve seen, and swallowed, my fair share of bugs on outdoor stages, but this was the first time I performed under a bird’s nest.

The nest directly over the stage was empty, but a newer nest on the other side of the pole behind the stage held baby birds with their beaks open, awaiting their meals.  And Mama Bird delivered – flying to and from the nest – several times during the show.  At first, I’d swerve or duck a little as she flew by, but soon she became just another part of the spectacular natural landscape I looked toward as I sang. 

The sights, sounds and critters who join the crowds at outside performances add more “country” to my country music.  And I love it.

As the song says:  “Blame It On Where I Grew Up”.

Plan your trip to Medora at https://medora.com/ and make sure you try the Pitchfork Steak Fondue!

Listen to my latest single, “Blame It On Where I Grew Up”, and my debut single, “Better Than I Do”, on all music streaming platforms and at my shows.  Don’t forget to ask your favorite radio station to play them, too.  That’s a great help for bird-dodging, pitchfork steak-loving country artists!