MEET THE JUDGES YCGT 2025
We are so excited to announce our legendary panel of judges for Yellowstone Country’s Got Talent 2025! From directing, to casting, to performing, and everything in-between, this group of seasoned professionals is ready to take on the task of deciding the winners of YCGT 2025. Competitors will be judged based on their performance, skill, originality, stage presence, showmanship, and delivery.
Have a favorite act? Audience members get a say in the judging too! Make sure to reserve your seat now to support your favorite performer.
RUSSEL LEWIS
A native of Missoula, it wasn’t until Russell Lewis moved to Livingston in 2001 to take over responsibilities as Artistic Director that he realized the sun could actually shine during the winter months. Although still deeply committed to living a life in the arts, Russ takes his greatest pleasure these days from moving rocks out at his “farm in progress.” Having received his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Montana, Russ is continually thrilled and a little perplexed that he spends what seems like the majority of his working hours as a carpenter, welder, or electrician.
TINA BUCKINGHAM
Tina Buckingham began pursuing a legitimate career in film and commercial production in 1987 as Location Scout, Casting Director, and Production Coordinator. In the early days of film in Montana, she was one of the few people who was consistently around, so she could work on many aspects of production. She was Location Scout on “A River Runs Through It” and has been Casting Director on over a dozen feature films. She has worked with directors including Dennis Quaid , Robert Redford, Dean Semler (Dances with Wolves) and Andy Tennant (Anna & the King). Tina opened the Montana Actor's Studio 8 years ago to teach and inspire actors of all ages and varying career levels who want to learn the business of acting for film.
JOE ROBINSON
Joe Robinson is a guitarist whose technical mastery and magnetic stage presence have earned him international recognition. Robinson blends blues, rock, and fingerstyle guitar to deliver captivating, virtuosic performances. The youngest winner of Australia’s Got Talent at only 13 years old, Robinson has real world experience in talent shows on an astronomical scale. In addition to his skills as a performer, Robinson is also highly regarded as an educator, having led workshops at leading US music schools including Berklee College of Music and Musicians Institute. Joe currently lives on a property outside Yellowstone National Park in Montana with his wife Genevieve, an accomplished illustrator and their son. He spends his time practicing, writing songs, recording, coaching 20,000+ online guitar students and tours his one-man show, where he showcases his impressive musical talents to live audiences.
BEX FRUCHT
Bex Frucht is a self-ascribed “Tumbleweed Queen” whose eclectic personal and professional journey has taken her from the red carpet to the Rocky Mountains. A seasoned performer, Bex was a host, writer and producer for POPSUGAR, but her real true love is storytelling. After successfully oversharing onstage at hit shows such as The Moth (she performed all over LA and won the Denver StorySlam), she created her own wild storytelling showcase TMI Live! as well as the advocacy story series Unplanned Story Party, both entertaining sold-out crowds in LA and Bozeman. Bex also starred in the Verge Theater’s virtual play about air guitar and moonlights as an amateur cowgirl, karaoke professional, rainbow influencer, and unicorn believer.