Podcast
The ButteCast with Bill Foley
Hosted by Bill Foley · EN
Let's get to know some of the characters who make Butte, Montana the "Richest Hill on Earth."
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No. 346: Russ and Jamie Cleveland
May 1101:24:57Tap to summarizeEvery time you hear Russ Cleveland talk, you will hear another amazing story.He documented many of those stories on his “60 for 60” videos that he has been posting on his campaign’s social media sites in the run up to the June 2 primary election. Russ is running as a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Montan’s 1st Congressional District.He tells stories of meeting his wife when he was 14 years old, but claimed to be 16. He tells a story of working at a bank and having a gun pulled on him during a robbery. He tells the story of his oldest daughter and her courageous battle with leukemia. Today, we hear another incredible story as we talk to Russ and his daughter Jamie. Last week, Jamie signed to compete in track for the Orediggers when she attends Montana Tech. She is following her mother into her field of study, and she is following her father as an Oredigger. Russ played football for coach Bob Green.Jamie is a senior in high school in St. Regis, and she already earned an associate’s degree, thanks to dual credits offered through the high school.She really seems to have a head start on college and life in general, and none of that would be possible if it was not for Russ, his wife Kate and their family.Russ and Kate adopted Jamie when she was a freshman in high school. They first met her when Kate was coaching basketball and Russ was coaching track.Jamie came from a life of abuse and neglect, and the Cleveland family welcomed her in as one of their own. She is not their “adopted daughter.” She is simply their daughter.This morning, I met with Russ and Jamie at The Local on Galena Street to listen to them tell their story.Listen in to hear what it was like for Jamie to become a Cleveland. Listen to what led her to Montana Tech. Listen to hear Jamie describe Russ as a coach and a parent. Listen as she talks about Russ’ unusual style of eating cereal, which I find to be ingenious.You can meet Russ in person Wednesday when he holds a rally and a cookout at Stodden Park. The family event begins at 6 p.m. and hotdogs will be provided. If we’re lucky, Russ might even tell you another one of his incredible life stories.Today’s episode of the ButteCast is presented by the Jewelry Design Center. Let Brian Toone and Co. be your jewelers for life. Intro music by Tim Montana. For more from the Elk Park native, go to timmontana.com. For more from Bill Foley, go to ButteCast.com.
Transcribe →No. 345: Max Demarais
May 801:14:32Tap to summarizeAs a sophomore in high school, Max Demarais could have probably run for any office in town — and won easily.Around here, he was as famous as he is likable.Max was diagnosed with a tumor behind his right eye after he struggled with the vision test while taking the driver’s education program. It was the summer before his freshman year at Butte High School.That led to rounds of chemotherapy before he eventually made the incredibly tough decision — as a sophomore — to have his eye surgically removed.That, did not stop Max. While the vision problem might have ended his basketball career a little early, he still went on to a great career playing defensive line for the Bulldogs. He also played baseball after the removal of the eye, hitting over .300 one season for the Butte Muckers and wiping away excuses for people like me who couldn’t hit the ball with two eyes.Max grew up dreaming of playing football for the Montana State Bobcats. His family has long held season tickets, and Max went to his first Bobcat game in the first few days of his life.He did not end up playing for the Cats, but this morning he graduated from the school with an engineering job already in hand. He graduated as a highly-decorated student with some prestigious scholarships in his pocket.Before he starts that new career in Missoula — where he will not become a Grizzly fan — Max is going to spend a month traveling around Europe for a well-deserved vacation after graduating from MSU in four years.Yesterday, I met up with Max over Zoom for a conversation on the eve of his college graduation. Listen in as Max talks about his fight with cancer and how he kept a positive attitude throughout.Listen as he talks about the support he received from his teammates, friends and people from the community who he never knew.Listen as he talks about his four years of college and find out how much MSU national championship gear he already owns.Today's podcast is brought to you by Leskovar Honda, home of the friendly non-commission sales staff that always has your back. Intro music by Tim Montana. For more from the Elk Park native, go to timmontana.com. For more from Bill Foley, go to ButteCast.com.Today's episode is also available on YouTube.
Transcribe →No. 344: Jamie Campbell
May 601:19:36Tap to summarizeJamie Campbell is a standup comedian who will be performing at Butte’s Covellite Theatre on Thursday, May 14. Advanced tickets are recommended for this show because it just might sell out. (Click here to buy tickets.)Jamie will bring his high-energy, storytelling and positive vibe to the Mining City all the way from Kansas City, where he is still getting used to that Midwest nice. Known for finding humor even in life’s toughest moments, Jamie delivers sharp, relatable comedy that connects with audiences across the country.You may recognize Jamie from his Drybar Comedy special Middle Man, as well as appearances on Chicago Fire, Hollywood Darlings, and the Emmy-nominated ABC series Boondoggle. His style blends heartfelt perspective with big laughs, shaped by a life story that proves comedy can shine light in even the darkest places.Thursday’s show will be hosted by Brittani Ferris, owner of Uptown Comedy. Kane O'Neil will also be the opener, and Jamie will take part in a meet and greet at the 51 Below Speakeasy after the show, which is rated PG-13 and family friendly.Earlier today, I met with Jamie over Zoom for a fun conversation.Listen in to hear how he became a comedian in the first place. Listen as he talks about working with people like Damon Waynes, Jeff Garlin and Dana Carvey.Listen as he talks about his comedy influences and how he wants audience members leaving his shows feeling good about themselves. Listen in to see that next Thursday will be a show that you do not want to miss.Today's podcast is brought to you by Casagranda's Steakhouse. Eat where the locals eat. Intro music by Tim Montana. For more from the Elk Park native, go to timmontana.com. For more from Bill Foley, go to ButteCast.com.This episode is also available on YouTube.
Transcribe →Tap 'er Light: Holy buckets, we need to learn the rules
May 500:11:14Tap to summarizeBaseball is our national pastime. So, too, is yelling at the umpires.Yelling at the men and women calling balls and strikes is as American as Apple Pie, road rage and not being able to afford health insurance.It is something that we all do from time to time.It is, however, a good idea to know what you are talking about if you are going to yell at the umps during a game. Most fans have not read the rule book, and that usually shows when they yell at the umpire who did.When that happens, the fans are the ones who look bad in the end. We saw that recently when the umpires got the call right in a Butte Central-Dillon baseball game at 3 Legends Stadium.The fans were wrong, and GameChanger video gave the umpire the last laugh.That is what today’s column is about. You can read it for yourself at ButteCast.com.Opening music by Tim Montana. For more from the Elk Park native, go to timmontana.com.
Transcribe →No. 343: John Kovacich
Apr 3001:35:38Tap to summarizeJohn Kovacich is going to double dip this summer as the Butte Sports Hall of Fame inducts its 20th class.John will finally go in as an individual inductee during the July 24-25 ceremonies at the Butte Civic Center. He was voted into the Hall by the selection committee earlier this year. John will also go in as a member of the 1972 Mile High All-Star baseball team. That team is still Butte’s only 12-year-old (and under) Little League baseball team to win a state title and advance to the West Regional in San Bernardino, California.Oh, and John was a member of the 1977 Butte High state championship football team that was inducted into the Butte Sports Hall of Fame in 2005. John was a first-team All-State defensive back and a second-team All-State punter on the team that finished the season with an 11-0 record. The Bulldogs gave up just 20 total points that season, and it was named as Butte High’s best team of the 20th Century by Pat Kearney.John, who also started two seasons on Butte High’s basketball team, took his talents to the University of Montana. He helped the Grizzlies win the 1982 Big Sky Conference football title.Today, John is retired and living in Missoula, though that’s not how he puts it. He says he’s from Butte and vacationing in Missoula.Earlier today, I met with John inside the Vault at the Metals Sports Bar & Grill for a fun conversation. Listen in as John talks about playing for championship teams in Little League, high school and college.Listen as he talks about many of his coaches and teammates and how he is still connected with so many of those great people. Listen as he talks about joining so many of them in the Butte Sports Hall of Fame.Today's podcast is brought to you by Thriftway Super Stops. Join the Thriftway Loyalty Club today and save big. Intro music by Tim Montana. For more from the Elk Park native, go to timmontana.com. For more from Bill Foley, go to ButteCast.com.
Transcribe →No. 342: Shirley Chesterfield-Stanton
Apr 2901:04:51Tap to summarizeShirley Chesterfield-Stanton will be inducted into the Butte Sports Hall of Fame this July.She is one of the many overdue members of the Class of 2026. While some might not have recognized that name when the class was announced in February, Shirley was well known in Helena.The retired physical education teacher spent 40 years coaching at Helena Capital. She coached gymnastics and track, and her teams won multiple state titles in both sports. She also served as announcer for Helena Capital football, basketball and volleyball.Shirley was a star in track, gymnastics and volleyball at Montana State University from 1972 through 1976. She qualified for the National Track & Field Championships in 1975. She was also a part of four state championship softball teams.That athletic career got its start in the Mining City, after her parents moved to town when she was in the sixth grade. In the days before Title IX, Shirley grew up dreaming of competing in sports. There were not a lot of opportunities for girls, however.She played volleyball at Emerson Elementary before competing in track, gymnastics and cross country at Butte High. Then, the girls had to wear smaller letters on their letter jackets, as not to offend the boys.Today, girls have all kinds of opportunities in sports. That is largely because of the determination and perseverance of people like Shirley, who dedicated her life to athletics.Shirley was inducted into the Montana Coaches Association Hall of fame in 2002, the Helena Sports Hall of Fame in 2009, and the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2018. The Montana Coaches Association awarded her the National Distinguished Service award in 2024.Today’s podcast is presented by the Kvichak Fish Co. Think of it as salmon and halibut gone Girl Scout cookie. Place your order today.Intro music by Tim Montana. For more from the Elk Park native, go to timmontana.com. For more from Bill Foley, go to ButteCast.com.
Transcribe →Tap 'er Light: These 17 keep Mariah’s message alive
Apr 2800:12:35Tap to summarizeAs many of you know, Mariah’s Challenge is very important to me.Mariah’s Challenge rose out of the ashes of a tragedy that took the life of 14-year-old Mariah McCarthy on Oct. 28, 2007.She and two friends were run over by an underage drunk driver while they walked on a trial beside Blacktail Lane. The friends survived, but Mariah was pronounced dead after being flown to Missoula.That tragedy led me to make a major change in my life. I have not had a single drop of alcohol since. More importantly, it also led to Mariah’s Challenge, which awards students with a $1,000 scholarship if they go through high school without drinking alcohol.The latest class will be honored at a ceremony May 21 at Montana Tech.None of these 17 scholarship winners knew Mariah, yet they are keeping her message going strong 18 and a half years after she left us.It is important to let these impressive young men and women know how impressive that is.That is what today’s column is about. You can read it for yourself at ButteCast.com.
Transcribe →No. 341: Rayelynn Brandl
Apr 2301:26:11Tap to summarizeI voted for myself when I ran for chief executive of Butte-Silver Bow in 2024. But I have to say, it wasn’t the obvious decision.Rayelynn Brandl also ran for chief executive that year. She got into the race a few months after I did. Had she announced she was running earlier, I might not have filed to run at all.Getting to know her and hearing her ideas during the campaign convinced me that she would be an outstanding chief executive. I really hope she runs again.After the election, Rayelynn showed that her reason for running was true when she ran to be a member of the advisory council to review the charter of our local government.She is part of a great group of civic-minded individuals who have been working for well over a year to make recommendations to voters of Butte-Silver Bow. Those recommendations included possibly moving away from the chief executive model to one with a city manager. The recommendations include dropping the number of county commissioners from 12 to four and to also possibly solve the dispute between our volunteer firefighters and our career firefighters once and for all.It is a tough and thankless job, and you can learn more about the work the group has been doing tonight at 5:30 at the Butte Brewery. If you cannot make the meeting, there will be more opportunities to learn more about and weigh in on these possible changes.Earlier today, I met with Rayelynn inside the Vault at the Metals Sports Bar & Grill for a fun conversation. Listen in as Rayelynn talks about these potential changes. Listen in to hear her qualifications and to learn where she picked up her love of trap shooting. Listen in to see why I hope Rayelynn runs again, whether it is for chief executive, city council or mayor.Today’s episode of the ButteCast is presented by the Jewelry Design Center. Let Brian Toone and Co. be your jewelers for life. Intro music by Tim Montana. For more from the Elk Park native, go to timmontana.com. For more from Bill Foley, go to ButteCast.com.
Transcribe →Tap 'er Light: Bulldog dynamic duo takes next step
Apr 2100:10:31Tap to summarizeThe four years of Cayde Stajcar and Hudson Luedtke at Butte High did not produce the state championships like we thought they might.Well, at least not yet. Stajcar is still playing baseball for Butte High.But the four years with those two playing three different sports for the Bulldogs certainly did not disappoint. Stajcar won the Gatorade in baseball, and Luedtke shattered Butte High’s boys’ basketball all-time scoring record.And, really, he could have won at least one Gatorade.Stajcar and Luedtke are humble and talented. They are both tremendous teammates, no matter the sport.It will be sad to see them leave Butte High. But it is exciting to see that each will be taking the next step in their careers by signing with a junior college, Stajcar with Central Arizona for baseball and Luedtke with Casper College for basketball.That is what today’s column is about. You can read it for yourself at ButteCast.com.Opening music by Tim Montana. For more from the Elk Park native, go to timmontana.com.
Transcribe →No. 340: Jeff Mangan
Apr 1701:15:53Tap to summarizeIf you are tired of all the money thrown into our elections in Montana, then this episode is for you.If you were exhausted by the millions of Tester-Sheehy commercials by April of 2024, then Jeff Mangan is your guy. Jeff is a 1982 Helena High graduate who has deep family roots in Butte and Anaconda. He is one of the driving forces behind the Montana Plan.The Montana Plan would use the state’s authority to define what powers corporations get, effectively bypassing the dreadful 2010 Citizens United ruling by the United States Supreme Court.Also known as the Transparent Elections Initiative, the Montana Plan would take the anonymous power out of the hands of the corporations and give it back to the people of the state.This David vs. Goliath venture is already being copied in other states, and Jeff and his enormous band of volunteers have been working on this for more than a year.Jeff, who served eight years in the Montana Legislature before serving a term as Montana’s Commissioner of Political Practices, will be in Butte May 7 for a free screening of the 2018 documentary “Dark Money” at the Covellite Theatre. He will have some of the players in the movie on hand for a discussion after the film.That will also be a great place for you to sign the petition to make sure the non-partisan Montana Plan goes before voters in November. Last Summer, Erik Nylund and I met Jeff in Helena for an episode of the Mad About Montana Podcast. Earlier today, I caught up with Jeff over Zoom for a great conversation.Listen in to hear Jeff explain how the Montana Plan will work. Listen in to hear why you might want to sign the petition to get the initiative on the ballot. Listen in to hear some rare optimism about the future of our political system.Today's podcast is brought to you by Casagranda's Steakhouse. Eat where the locals eat. Intro music by Tim Montana. For more from the Elk Park native, go to timmontana.com. For more from Bill Foley, go to ButteCast.com.This episode is also available on YouTube.
Transcribe →