WHO...or WHAT...are SLOCAN VALLEY BANDS?
The Slocan Valley is in the West Kootenay region of BC,
about half way between Castlegar and Nelson.
In the early seventies, young people from Canada, the U.S.and all over the world, were drawn to the beauty and peacefulness of the West Kootenays and the Slocan Valley. Like minded people, getting "back to the land", seeking a simpler lifestyle and a sense of community. Artists, musicians, craftspeople, writers, actors and more, flocked here.
There was a thriving music scene in the entire Kootenay area. Summer Solstice parties, would become impromptu, mini music festivals, with 2 or 3 local bands. Bands such as: The Flying Hearts Family, A.K.A. "Brain Damage" ~ Whitewater ~ Pied Pumpkin String Ensemble ~ Loafers Glory ~ to name just a few. And numerous solo, duos, etc. Rick Bockner ~ Bruce Rathie ~ Shari Ulrich ~ Carl Trinkwon ~ Mikul Dorcey the list goes on.
One of the great things about the Slocan Valley folks, was the way everyone would come together to support a good cause! Another, wonderful thing was the way they were willing to Party Hard, to demonstrate their support of that cause! Every few months it seemed, there was another benefit show being put on, to raise money for the Vallican Whole Community Centre, or someone who had lost their home to a fire or their car to the ravages of time and neglect. And the organizers would organize, the bakers would bake, the volunteers would... well YOU know.... and the musicians would come out and play!
If you were one of those people... It is nice to see you again!
If not, come and join us. You have NO Idea how much fun you're missing!
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THE PERFORMERS.....
BRAINCHILD
is the modern incarnation of folk-rock band “Brain Damage” - also known as the “Flying Hearts Family.” They began performing in 1971 in halls across the Slocan Valley, Nelson, and the interior.
The original lineup featured: Bing Jensen (guitar & vocals); Gary Cramer (guitar & vocals); David Engleman (bass & vocals); Joel Bert (percussion & vocals); Randy Clark (drums & percussion); and Helen Davis (vocals). The 1980’s brought two new members to the lineup - their original soundman, Fred Michael (saxophone); and Larry ‘Lunchpail’ McGillivray (drums & backing vocals). Throughout their 34 year history “Brain Damage” toured and shared stages with countless bands & artists, until the passing of two of its founding members – Joel Bert in 2003, and Gary Cramer 2006 – ended their storied run as one of BC’s most beloved live bands.
This spirit of camaraderie and music continues with “BrainChild” as they perform some of the ‘classics’ from their roots alongside their new material.
Read more: http://www.myspace.com/brainchildbc
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RICK BOCKNER
has been playing guitar since he was 7 years old. Raised in the folk tradition, he then went on to study blues guitar, ragtime fingerstyle guitar, and Celtic stylings. He was a founding member of the 60's San Francisco band Mad River (Capitol Records) . Rick is considered to be one of the best of Canada's acoustic guitarists. He performs, travels, and teaches in concert halls, music camps, and clubs in North America, and Europe.
Rick's main musical influences on the guitar range from the Mississippi Delta greats like Skip James, Willie Brown, Robert Johnson, - to the gospel guitar of Rev. Gary Davis and Joseph Spence. He also has spent years developing a stylistic approach to Celtic music and fiddle tunes. As well, Rick is a veteran songwriter as several of the selections on Fret Lizards demonstrate. His sense of poetry and lyric is deep and unaffected, he finds the common thread in his lyrics that make the listener smile and relate. Bockner's intricate and expressive harmonies on the guitar make for some wonderful listening as he reworks some of the tunes he grew up with for this recording. His own compositions have delighted and confounded guitarists for years.
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MARIANNE GRITANNI and friends...
Her honest and eloquent songs and her warmth as a performer continue to win fans. Her music, with so many varied influences defies categorization. She calls it 'folky, funky and anything in between'. She explores a lot of musical territory, on standard acoustic six string guitar, a resonator guitar and mandolin. Her compelling voice along with her strong sense of rhythm, melody and dynamics weave through and around her lyrics to create an engaging musical tapestry. If you have a chance to see Marianne perform live, either with her band or solo, don't miss it. You'll remember it long after the echo of her music fades.
CARL TRINKWON - Folk/roots story teller, singer/songwriter
Down through the ages man has fought
To be free from injustice and not get caught
If he don't get it right he'll take it to the grave
He'll bite like a dog and run like a slave
Riding on the Underground Railroad
Riding on the Underground Railroad
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WHITEWATER
formed around 1973-4 (we didn't pay a lot of attention to dates and times back then, except when we had a "gig") Drummer and founding member, Brian Rooney had booked a week long gig at the "Mineshaft" Cabaret in Nelson with a band that, as bands sometimes do.... self destructed! Well, the show must go on... so he decided to just put another band together and fulfill the contract.
With only a few weeks to go before the gig, he finally located a few other musicians living in the valley, who were interested in playing the show. Frantically learning as many songs as they could cram into their tiny heads in such a short time, they became Whitewater!
Susy Mallin on flute, Jan Nielsen - guitar, Joseph Jmaeff - guitar & vocals, Babz Chula - vocals, Jeff Fenton - bass, Keith Kessler - vocals, Al Tricys - guitar & vocals, Connie Tricys - vocals.
After that first gig, Keith, Al & Connie left to pursue other interests. Whitewater went on for a couple of years playing halls, parties, benefits and clubs in the area. Brian & Susy stayed in the valley playing together as a duo "Whisper" until 1977. The remaining members moved to Vancouver to reach a wider audience.
Donn Tarris and Billy Ayers joined Whitewater in Vancouver, they will also join Susy Mallin, Jan Nielsen, Brian Rooney & Joseph Jmaeff for the show!
With SPECIAL GUESTS: Adam Drake & Steven Drake
and Reise Rooney
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TOO LOOSE TO TRUCK
It was 1977-ish when Bob Feldman, Greg Martin and Joseph Jmaeff were backing up Jamie Donald, a young local country singer from Trail or Castlegar, playing at legions and cabarets around the West Kootenays. They were joined by Brian Rooney, who had also played drums for Jamie's band... (sort of like how the Eagles were Linda Ronstadts Band.... only different!) and Too Loose To Truck was formed....
There followed a period of playing bars, cabarets, parties and halls in and around the West & East Kootenays and into Alberta. Playing mostly "Cover Tunes" (songs written and previously recorded by other bands) with a few originals thrown in to keep it interesting
Now.. 32 years later, performing their original songs, they have reunited for two shows only. Wednesday, October 20th 8:PM at McBurneys Coffee House, 20504 Fraser Highway in Langley and October 21st at The Yale.
These shows will be the first time that the members of
Too Loose to Truck will have shared a stage in more than 30 years!
Welcome to our reunion!
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A solo performance by YAEL BLUM, from
The NO SH!T SHIRLEYS a Terrific acapella group!
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Darlene & Kelvin Ketchum
Special Guests from North Delta
Piano and Vocal, R&B, Soul Duo
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Camino Against Cancer ~ Slocan Valley Bands ~ Benefit Show
Proceeds to Inspire Health Integrated Cancer Care
Thursday October 21st - 6-9:PM at The Yale Hotel, 1300 Granville Street
Tickets: $10 advance $15 at the door
Brain Damage
Rick Bockner
Marianne Gritanni
Carl Trinkwon
Whitewater
"LIVE" at the
Vallican Whole
