by Travis Mateer

Before taking this picture of the FREE Top Hat show “brought to you by” Groove Solventless, I heard a rumor, and this rumor aligns with a conspiracy theory I floated to MANY Cannabis dispensaries across America as I drove around and around.

First, the rumor: did Nick Checota purchase a controlling interest in Montana’s biggest Cannabis producer? And is that producer Bloom? If Checota is making a move to control more Cannabis production in Montana, could there be a reason for that?

There already appears to be a Groove/Bloom relationship, which the Bloom website proudly describes here.

If Checota is expanding his production capacity for weed, could the BIG deal with Live Nation, announced this past summer, have anything to do with it? I think it could.

Here’s some of the reporting on this deal from Digital Music News (emphasis mine):

The Live Nation partnership centers on the company’s entertainment operations and promoter activities, while local Montana brick-and-mortar venues, including the Wilma Theater and the Top Hat, remain entirely owned by the Checota family. Additionally, the KettleHouse Amphitheater and ELM — designed, developed, and constructed by the Checotas — will remain under long-term leases with their respective local landowners.

“We now have access to world-renowned entertainment resources while maintaining our current management team and all of our more than 300 local staff. The structure of this partnership allows Logjam to retain its culture and continue to operate with the same ethos and spirit that we always have,” adds Ryan Torres, vice president of marketing for Logjam.

I put the emphasis on ACCESS TO RESOURCES because I think it’s going to be much more than musical artists that Checota will get access to. Since Cannabis sales seems to be where Checota is transitioning his business growth, I suspect access to Live Nation venues could include Cannabis sales in those venues, to the exclusion of people bringing in their own, more affordable stashes of weed for the show.

That’s it, that’s my conspiracy theory. Is there merit to my conspiracy theory? I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

For any NEW Zoom Chron readers tuning in, you should know that my history in this town, and knowledge of its movers and shakers, is extensive, so make sure to use the SEARCH bar if you’d like to find out more. The search bar is located on top of the blogroll, in the upper right hand corner of your screen.

Now, here are the links tracking Nick Checota’s impact on Missoula. Dig in!

The Crown Jewel Of Missoula Gentrification Will Break Ground Next Summer–ALL HAIL LORD CHECOTA! (October 16th, 2019)

Will Local Media In Missoula Keep Protecting The Mayor And Downplaying Of Lord Checota’s DRIFT? (October 22nd, 2019)

Is Nick Checota’s Family History A Cautionary Tale For Missoula? (October 24th, 2019)

Team Gentrify Strikes Back, And It’s Hilarious (October 30th, 2019)

By Pretending To Help You The Wealthy Are Really Helping Themselves (November 15th, 2019)

Talking Checota Logjam Empire And Tax Increment Financing Tomorrow Around 12:30pm At 105.5 KGFM In Missoula (November 22nd, 2019)

Nick Checota Decrees William Skink Uses Untrue Facts And False Narratives, So Let’s Review Our Lord’s Accusations (February 5th, 2020)

A Milwaukee Business Man Comes To The Defense Of Nick Checota (February 13th, 2020)

Governor Bullock’s Coronavirus Relief Fund Task Force Wisely Included Our Benevolent Lord, The Sultan Of Sound (April 16th, 2020)

Is It Time For Chicken And Waffles At Lord Checota’s Top Hat? (May 4th, 2020)

Questions Persist Amidst Uncertainty Over Missoula Event Center Project (May 27th, 2020)

Don’t Worry, Nick, Here Comes Jon To Save The Day! (August 6th, 2020)

When It Comes To Charity, Oligarchs Are Gonna Oligarch (August 9th, 2020)

Nick Checota And City Of Missoula Are Getting Sued By The Paddleheads (August 12th, 2020)

Last Friday Nick Checota Officially Ended His Plan To Build A 100 Million Dollar Event Center , Hotel, And Condos On The Riverfront Triangle Site (August 31st, 2020)

Development Addict Mayor Engen Still Supports Riverfront Triangle Vampire Project That Will Never Die (September 17th, 2020)

Nick Checota: Entire Live Music Industry Could Crumble In A Matter Of Weeks (December 11th, 2020)

Is Nick Checota’s Top Hat Restaurant Still A Music Venue? (February 1st, 2022)

Nick Checota Gets $1,244,243 in CARES Act Funding, But Can’t Answer Phone For Local Media (February 25th, 2021)

Logjam Presents Has An Employment Opportunity That Is Not In Accordance With Montana Labor Laws–Better Fix That Quick, Nick (April 14th, 2021)

The Historical Relevance Of Nick Checota Ending Music At The Top Hat (July 18th, 2022)

Have I Shamed Nick Checota Into Bringing Music Back To The Top Hat? (August 12th, 2022)

Cannabis, Public Money, And The Soft Power Of The Nickel Duo (November 4th, 2022)

Jon Tester Feigns Concern Over Millionaires Who Got Financial Covid Assistance…Like Nick Checota? (December 3rd, 2022)

Are We Seeing The Sunset Of Tax Increment Financing Abuses In Missoula? (March 28th, 2023)

What Kind Of Deal Did Nick Checota’s Logjam Presents Just Sign With Live Nation? (August 1st, 2023)

Ok, I’m pretty sure these 26 links comprise most, if not all of, my Checota coverage. I hope THE PULP appreciates what this blogger has done to document this town’s transformation during a period where Missoula’s media landscape has never been worse.

If you appreciate my work, Travis’ Impact Fund (TIF) is one way to support it, or you can make a donation at my about page.

Thanks for reading!