Get ready to tap your feet to the beat of our community! Back by popular demand, our Spring 2026 installment of the Songwriter Series at the Schoolhouse will be an event to remember. Come on over to the Schoolhouse on Friday, March 13th at 6PM to hear fresh tracks from Bea Jones, Joe Hunt, Michael Batdorf and the Dangling Chains!

FREE ADMISSION - BRING A FRIEND!

Keep reading to learn more about these amazing, local artists.

Bea Jones blends classic country storytelling with outlaw soul and Western edge. Born in Tennessee and shaped by the American West, she writes honest, character-driven songs delivered with a voice that balances strength and softness.

Joe Hunt is an independent musician and songwriter from St. Paul, Minnesota. As he takes the stage, his humble Midwestern charm surrenders to the musical force within him. Out pours a rush of guitar virtuosity, lyrical profundities, and dramatic vocal dynamics as he rolls through a compelling mix of well-crafted originals and thoughtful, deep-track covers. Genres span from Folk, to the Blues, to Alternative Rock.  

Michael Batdorf is a founding member and songwriter for One Ton Pig out of Jackson Hole, Wyoming.  He has been writing songs since he first picked up the guitar at age 12. Having grown up in western Pennsylvania, he was exposed to a lot of straight ahead Rock'N'Roll. Michael graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a degree in Music Recording and Business.  He chose the Muse of the Mountain West over being in Nashville and continues to build bands here in the Tetons, including Batdorf & The Brother Wolf and The Easy Chair.

The Dangling Chains are a high-energy live music act based in Pinedale, Wyoming blending blues, rock, and old country with a dash of everything in between. Featuring guitar, piano, bass, drums, harmonica, the Chains play a mix of covers and original tunes inspired by '60s and '70s rock and country legends such as The Grateful Dead, Rolling Stones, and Waylon Jennings. Their mission is to create an unforgettable experience that gets people dancing and connects with the crowd.

Many thanks to Susan Jones for producing this event, as well as our event sponsors for continuing to make this event possible. We truly couldn’t do it without you!

EVENT SPONSORS:

Our annual Holiday Gift Show is back with 19 local vendors ready to fill your holiday baskets with gifts for the entire family. From jewelry, to charcuterie boards, to pottery to handmade wears, there will be something for everyone at your favorite Wilson holiday bazaar!

Santa will stop by for cookies and hot chocolate from 12-1PM. Although we won’t be hosting in-house decorating this year, the 1st 20 children to visit with Santa can take home a mini gingerbread kit.

Check out our incredible lineup of vendors below!

HATILIE ANDERSON

EMILY BELSHAM RAKUSCAPES

DIANE BENEFIEL

BROT COBURN

DIGME HATS

STEVIE DURAN - ENCHANTED SILVERWORKS

BRIANNA GRETSINGER

JAN JOHNSON

JH BEADWORK

MARY LOHUIS

BROWNWYN MINTON

I LOVE NATURAL - LISA POTZERNITZ

STAN STEINER

STONE AND SALT JEWELRY

TETON RAPTOR CENTER

SUSAN THOMAS

JILL VATTER

LISA WALKER HANDMADE

BECKY WATSON

Doors open at 10AM - we’ll see you there! ***FREE ENTRY***

Songwriter Showcase at the Schoolhouse

Saturday, November 8th: 6-9PM (doors open at 5:30PM)

Susan Jones is presenting our 2nd Songwriter Showcase at the Schoolhouse and this will be a free, musical event you will NOT want to miss! The Schoolhouse is an intimate and unique music venue, offering an unforgettable listening experience. And luckily for the community, this event is entirely free and family friendly! So come on over to the Schoolhouse at 6PM on November 8th to listen to four local artists generously share their gifts.

The Songwriter Showcase at the Schoolhouse is a free program of the Old Wilson Schoolhouse Community Center, and is supported in part by a grant from the Wyoming Arts Council, with support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Wyoming Legislature. Thank you to Hungry Jack’s General Store, Nora’s and Wilsons Pizza for generously sponsoring this community event.

Learn more about our line-up below:

Born and raised in Jackson, Melissa Elliott is a singer, songwriter, and music teacher performing under the alias "Missy Jo.” Her style is a collage of influences and her songs explore observations on the human experience - romance in the midst of apocalypse, her affinity for thrift shopping, the consequences of being in love and getting banned from a small town post office.

Clay Humphrey is a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist born and raised in Jackson. He has been making music since he was eleven, and writing music since he was fourteen. Clay teaches private lessons in songwriting and multiple instruments at Teton Music School and performs with the band Cache Funk.

Tori Lund is a singer/songwriter, and yoga teacher, blending music and mindfulness to inspire and express creativity. Originally from Los Angeles, Tori’s background is rooted in classical voice — she holds a B.A. in Music and a Master’s in Vocal Performance, with studies in opera and bel canto singing in Italy. Over time, she gravitated toward roots-driven styles, where she could write honestly and sing authentically. Tori toured across North America for nearly a decade, opening for artists including Shenandoah, Daniel Donato, Junior Brown, Reckless Kelly, John R. Miller, and Eddie 9V. Her music has been featured on NPR, BBC, and Bluegrass Today, with song placements on PBS, Fox Sports, and other networks. Offstage, she has co-run a recording studio, produced albums, and collaborated with established and emerging songwriters. She is currently working on her first solo EP, set for release in 2026.

For over three decades in Jackson Hole, Justin Smith has had a deep impact on the local music scene. His roles have included song-writer, producer (music & video), band manager, sound engineer, performing artist, talent buyer, and music educator. Justin was the founding member and original songwriter for numerous well known local bands, including Sister Smith (1990s), Mandatory Air (2000s) and One Ton Pig (since 2006). Justin has published a book of poems, On the Verge of Knowing Nothing, was the musical director for rock opera Cumberland Blues, and released a solo album, Sprinklers in the Rain. Justin currently serves as the entertainment manager for The Silver Dollar and Cowboy Bars, producing national and regional acts and helping raise the bar for live music in downtown Jackson Hole. This December marks 19 years of Tuesdays with One Ton Pig, a fixture at the Silver Dollar Bar for locals and tourists alike. 

Our community potluck dinner is back and quickly becoming an annual, Wilson tradition! Enjoy FREE hamburgers, hotdogs, beer and wine. Bring a side dish to share and enter our Around the World Dish Contest to win fun prizes (drop off your dish by 5:30PM please).

As always, we will enjoy a friendly round of Trivia led by DJ Crazy Tom, and raise money for the schoolhouse through a Silent Cake Auction.

New this year - kids can compete for fun prizes during the 3-legged race, wheel barrow race and water balloon toss! Our extremely talented board member Sheila will also lead a fun slime activity.

Finally, enter our raffle for the chance to win some great prizes, including a $500 gift card to Eco Tour Adventures, tickets to Grand Teton Music Festival, JHMR bike park passes, amazing dinners and so much more!

Event starts at 5PM. Kids games begin at 5:30PM, and raffle/trivia will begin at 6:30PM.

FREE ADMISSION - Donations accepted.

The potluck dinner is a program of the Old Wilson Schoolhouse Community Center.

Please email Amanda if you’d like to donate a cake to the silent auction. We appreciate your support!

THANK YOU TO OUR EVENT SPONSORS:

SONGWRITER SHOWCASE

SATURDAY, MARCH 1ST - 6-9PM

The Old Wilson Schoolhouse Community Center presents: Songwriter Showcase the Schoolhouse. Get ready to feel the local beat with Hilary Camino, Jack Eidemiller, Mark Engel, and Madison Ostergren at this free community event! Susan Jones, our MC for the night (and amazing songwriter in her own right) shares, "these local artists share life through home spun songs with amazing vocals, song-craft, and instrumental prowess." Walk, bike or drive on over. You won't want to miss this one!

Doors open at 5:30PM. Event starts at 6PM.

FREE ADMISSION - BYOB

Many thanks to Nora’s Fish Creek Inn for sponsoring this event.