Jonny Fritz hitting Havre

A Rolling Stones-recognized, worldwide-touring music artist will be playing in Havre Saturday.

Jonny Fritz, 31, will be bringing his brand of folky country to the Havre Eagles Aerie #166 Saturday at 8 p.m. His show, "The Big Dance," will also feature The Best Westerns and Scrapyard Lullaby out of Missoula.

Fritz has been touring nonstop for 13 years. Last year alone, he played in India, Philippines, Australia twice, Tokyo, and London twice as well as extensively touring across the United States.

"It's been pretty nuts," he said. "It's been cool, though."

He described his music as "story-based songs, old folk music or country music."

He said his style is comparable to Roger Miller, John Prine and Jerry Jeff Walker.

"It's a little weirder," Fritz said. "It's not your everyday boring stories. I like to twist them and point out the real mundane."

Rolling Stone magazine named him an "Artist to Watch" in 2013 and he has been featured in many popular music and news publications in recent years.

"It feels really good," Fritz said. "When the Rolling Stone calls up and says 'When are you going to do your next record?' It's just like, God, this is really cool. It's about as cool as it gets. It's really validating. You're out there just working, working, working and not sure if anybody's listening."

He said his music is what's important to him. As long as he likes making it, he will keep playing it. He's got a pretty good head about his goals, he said, in that he doesn't expect to be famous. He said he likes what he is doing now, where he can spend a large amount of time touring, but still has time for life outside of music - like pursuing his hobby of leatherworking.

"I really just want to be proud of the stuff I'm making," Fritz said. "As long as I'm really excited about the things I'm making, I'm going to keep making them."

Fritz said the Havre show is happening because, in addition to KNMC 90.1 deejay Dave Martens inviting him, he will be in the state for a few weeks working as an leather-working apprentice in western Montana.

Leatherworking has been a hobby of his for many years and he is looking to get a little better.

Fritz said he likes playing in towns like Havre because it's a little off the beaten path.

"I'm looking forward to coming," Fritz said over a landline from the Montana ranch he is staying at.

Fritz is originally from Missoula, but he said he has not played many Montana shows, so he is glad to get back. He toured with The Best Western, which Martens is a member of, last year and loved it.

"Ever since I started coming back, I thought, 'What the hell? I gotta come back here all the time,'" Fritz said.

The show has a $5 cover charge and starts at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Eagles.