Actor and musician Luke Grimes, best known for portraying Kayce Dutton on Yellowstone, is heading back to Utah — not for filming, but for a cause close to home. The star will perform an intimate benefit concert this weekend to raise funds for a local nonprofit dedicated to rescuing neglected and abandoned horses.

Giving Back to the West That Defined Him

Grimes, whose breakout role as John Dutton’s loyal son made him a household name, will perform a small-scale concert for just 220 guests at The Lodge at Blue Sky, Auberge Resorts Collection, just outside Park City. The setting — a renovated riding barn surrounded by horses and mountain vistas — perfectly fits Grimes’ image as both a country musician and modern cowboy.

All proceeds from the November 1 show will go to the Saving Gracie Foundation, a Utah-based nonprofit that rehabilitates abused and abandoned horses.

“His role in Yellowstone has become synonymous with the West itself,” said Joe Ogdie, general manager of The Lodge. “It became a natural fit when we were looking for a musician. The Wasatch Mountains make the perfect backdrop for Luke Grimes.”

A Night of Music and Storytelling

Grimes released his self-titled debut album in early 2024, blending Americana and country influences inspired by his Ohio upbringing and his father’s love of classic country. His set at Blue Sky will include songs from that album, performed alongside a small band featuring a bassist, drummer, and guitarist.

“It’s very much an intimate kind of concert,” Ogdie explained. “It’s set in our old riding barn, refurbished into a ballroom — with the horses all around it. It’s a truly special night.”

The Mission Behind Saving Gracie

The Saving Gracie Foundation was founded in 2015 by Barb Phillips, the owner of Blue Sky Lodge. The organization was named after Gracie, a horse Phillips began caring for after discovering a nearby breeding family could no longer provide for their herd. Gracie now lives on the property — healthy, happy, and symbolic of the foundation’s mission.

Since its creation, Saving Gracie has rescued dozens of horses from neglect, abandonment, and slaughter. The foundation also intervenes to save wild horses at risk of being sent to kill pens.

“We make sure that we take care of these horses that are being neglected,” Ogdie said. “This concert will help Barb continue her mission — making sure every horse has the dignity it deserves and lives in the true spirit of the West.”

Y: Marshals Brings Grimes Back to Utah

Grimes’ connection to Utah runs deep. The first three seasons of Yellowstone were filmed in the state, and the actor is now returning once again for the upcoming CBS spinoff Y: Marshals, created by Taylor Sheridan.

The new series, approved for Utah’s state film incentives earlier this year, follows Kayce Dutton as he joins an elite team of U.S. Marshals after leaving his family’s ranch. Production began in Summit County this fall, bringing Grimes’ Yellowstone journey full circle — back to the state where it began.

The Spirit of the West Lives On

Between the concert’s cause, the setting, and Grimes’ cowboy roots, the evening is set to be more than a performance — it’s a celebration of Western spirit, community, and compassion.

As Ogdie put it, “We live in one of the best places in the world. Our history of ranching and our connection to nature runs deep here. There’s no better place for Luke Grimes to share his music and his heart.”