"Last Call Band" Fills the Canton Church
 | Author:
Victor Sample, Canton Church
Vic Sample: MT43 News Treasurer |
Article Published: 08/28/2026 Volume: 5 Edition: 08"Last Call Band" Fills the Canton Church
Victor Sample
Canton Church
On August 21, 2026, the Last Call Band performed to a full house at the Canton Church. Over 60 people attended the event!
The “Last Call Band” may not sound familiar to everyone, but the faces in the band are familiar in the community and to many in attendance. Joan and Tom Eliel were joined by Joan’s brothers John and Jim Anderson and a long-time friend, Darryl Naugle, who travelled from Boise to perform.
Tom Eliel, John Anderson, Jim Anderson and Darryl Naugle met while in college and formed a band named the “Badland Boothill Band”. The band played all over southwest Montana during the 1970s and 1980s.
Later, Jim and John joined with Steve Wilcox to form “The Ruby Valley Boys”. When violinist Barb Peason joined the band, they changed the name to “The Ruby Valley Boys and Barb Wire”.
Joan and Tom Eliel and family have been great friends of the Canton Church. They have performed at the Canton Church many times over the years. One year, John Anderson joined the Eliel Family band at the Canton Church. On learning that John was a member of the Ruby Valley Boys and Barb Wire, the Canton Church (mostly Pam Sample) set out to get them to play at the Canton Church and pestered John until he finally agreed. The band filled the Canton Church – everyone loved the band – and band became familiar performers at the Canton Church.
After the loss of band member Steve Wilcox, the band broke up. However, this year the old Badland Boothill Band reformed with the addition of Joan Eliel and called themselves the “Last Call Band”.
The band performed classic country music combined with songs written by Darryl Naugle and a song written by Jim Anderson. The performance concluded with “God Bless America” and a standing ovation.
The Canton Church looks forward to many more performances by the “Last Call Band”.
Article Images
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PhotoCredit: Pam Sample
Image 1 Caption: The Last Call Band: (left to right) John Anderson, Joan Eliel, Tom Eliel, Darryl Naugle and Jim Anderson
Photo Credit: Pam Sample
