Townsend Musicians Achieve a Milestone
Author: mt43news staff reporter
Article Published: 09/11/2026 Volume: 5 Edition: 10MT43 News Staff Reporter
In 1996 a nonprofit group set the stage for encouraging Broadwater County children to take part in the fine arts. Thursday night, three of those now adults gave unique musical performances, singing and playing guitar and synthesizer music. The seeds of Broadwater Community Theater had come full circle.
US Navy veteran Scout Lynde is a songwriter and performer who presented songs about growing up in Townsend. One song, “Candy Cigarettes,” told of how she and her brother Will had long talks about life when they were in grade school. She and fellow performer Laura Frazier blended in perfect duets, singing her own songs, but also contemporary favorites such as “Ventura Highway” by America.
Claire Amundson, daughter of retired music teacher Carla and champion fiddler Hal, presented songs from songwriter Joni Mitchell. Amundson has a rich velvet voice that she blends well with her unusual blue guitar. She sang several of her own pieces, including “My Little Dog” and “Tumbleweed.”
Sarah Frazier, Laura’s daughter, bills herself as “Queenager.” She performed new age music with an elaborate setup of synthesizer and keyboard. A veteran performer in music hotspots and shows, she performed her own songs in her equally unique way and look. In rose-tinted sunglasses and attractive sweatsuit with a close-cropped hairstyle, she presented a mature and strong voice. In a quote from Christopher Baumann of Zootown Arts Community Center in Missoula, "Sarah Frazier creates soundscapes…heavy, graceful, and beautifully ominous.”
All three women were raised in Townsend and attended Townsend schools. Jack Garmin, former BHS band and orchestra teacher, said this about hearing the performance: “I was very impressed with all three performances. You can tell each performer is working hard on her craft. Laura added so much with her harmonizing, which she made seem so effortless. I would say my only disappointment was that the three singers did not sing together. Maybe next time.”
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PhotoCredit: Candice O'Hara photos
Image 1 Caption: Townsend Roots performers (from left) Scout Lynde, Sarah Frazier and Claire Amundson gather after their musical performance at The Lodge September 3.
Photo Credit: Candice O'Hara
Image 2 Caption: A crowd of 40 people enjoyed the Townsend Roots group perform their original music.
Photo Credit: Candice O'Hara
