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Entertainers and Performers that will be at
the 2010 Kamloops Cowboy Festival
March 11th - 14th, 2010
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It's performers like these that help make
the Kamloops Cowboy Festival
the Biggest and the Best of its kind in Canada!
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This is the forth year of the
"Country 103 Rising Star Showcase".
The past three years were a great success with an incredible amount of talent
taking part. The two winners of last year's Showcase will be on the main stage
line up this year.
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You can use the following index if you are looking for
a particular performer - just click on their name to find
their photo and bio,
or scroll down the page and check them all out.
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There is also the Country 103 Rising Star Showcase and
Open Mic performers throughout the weekend. If you are interested in the
Country 103 Rising Star Showcase
Click here! The following
are the Rising Stars that are signed up for 2010.
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Abe Zacharias is an award-winning vocalist and songwriter who has
performed in many parts of Canada and the US. His 1993 appearance on the stage of the
Grand Ol' Opry and his 1997 Golden Heart Award (Country Gospel Male Vocalist of the Year)
are two of his career highlights. Abe has gained a legion of fans through his more than
35 years of making music. He was especially pleased when one of them, country star Paul
Brandt, credited Abe as being one of his important musical influences. Recently one of
Abe's songs Prairie Homestead from his Songs of the Sage and Saddle album has been
recieving extensive airplay by the European Country Music Association. In December 2009
it went to #10 in the Netherlands and #8 in Belgium. Then in January of 2010 it went to
#2 in Norway. For info & bookings email Abe at:
countryboy1@telus.net
or see his web site at:
www.azmusic.ca
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See Belinda's web site at:
www.belindagailsings.com
Email Belinda at:
bgailsings@aol.com
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Belinda Gail
is one of the most sought after women performing Western music today. A vibrant and
natural entertainer with a dynamic and captivating voice, Belinda stirs the emotions
and visions of the West in the heart of every audience she embraces. She is "America's
Western Sweetheart". Belinda began her western music career in 1996 when she toured
with The Sons of the San Joaquin. Since then she has performed with many top name
performers, and at many top name venues throughout the US. It has been her high energy
and breathtaking performances that have earned her the Western Music Association's award
for "Female Performer of the Year" for an unprecedented five years, and currently holds
the 2005 title. She was also nominated for "Entertainer of the Year". Belinda has also
received the Will Rogers Achievement award in the category of "Female Vocalist of the
Year", presented by the Academy of Western Artists for 1999 and 2004. "I love to see
the big smiles, and tapping feet," Belinda says "I have discovered that the more I give
my audiences the more they give back and we all just seem to spiral upward and enjoy
ourselves immensely." Belinda's music is the true embodiment of the spirit of the West
and her performances are compelling and captivating; her show is unforgettable in every
sense of the word. Her God-given talent touches audiences of all ages, all backgrounds.
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To quote Roy "Dusty" Rogers Jr. "My Mother used to tell me that everyone and everything
has an angel. How fortunate for us that Western Music has its angel in Belinda Gail. A
truly remarkable talent!"
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Bud Webb began his professional career in the music
industry in the late 60's touring throughout Canada with his band "Bud Webb & The
Outriders". By the mid 70's they had two albums under their belt and many
successful tours including working with Marg Osborne and Don Messer of the "Don
Messer Show". Today, Bud has settled in Lake Errock, BC. In 2002 Bud was inducted
into the BC Country Music Hall of Fame. He continues to stay active with live
performances and in the last few years has released three CDs: "Cowboy-Ography",
"Enjoy a Seniors Moment", and three years ago a new CD, "I Just Don't Look Good Naked Anymore"
- Live from the Merritt Mountain Music Festival.
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Butch Falk
A featured performer at many cowboy gatherings and festivals in Canada and
the US. Butch possesses a unique ability to bring the most descriptive cowboy lyrics
to life. His music literally transports the listener to another place and time. A dynamic
contemporary performer, Butch Falk is always true to the cowboy spirit in all of us. When
Butch is not performing he is busy in his workshop building guitars.
Nominated for the Academy of Western Artist's 'Rising Star Award' in 1998, Butch went on to
become a Nominee for Male Vocalist of the Year in both 1999 and 2000. His song, 'Cinnamon',
was nominated for The Academy of Western Artist's 'Song of the Year'. Another cut, 'Below
the Kinney Rim', made the Top Ten play list on western music stations as well as the Top
100 for the 1990's!
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You can Email Dave at:
cameldave@hotmail.com
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"Camel" Dave Howell
Fairly new to the Cowboy Poetry scene, Dave is a rat race refugee who has worked as a
wrangler, guide, and ranch hand in the Cariboo for the last several years. His nickname
comes from a stint as a camel handler in Barkerville in 2002. He's played guitar since
his teens but didn't start to sing and write until he found himself the "campfire
entertainer" at Big Bar Guest Ranch. His original poetry was meant to amuse co-workers
but as it seemed the guests really enjoyed it, and he was encouraged (nagged) to take it
to a bigger audience. He has played at Cariboo Country Night in Watch Lake, and the
Clinton Cowboy Poetry Night, with favourable reviews. The perspectives of his songs and
poetry are often that of the outsider reflecting on cowboy life, which audiences seem to
be able to associate with.
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Email Chris and Sharky at:
rideawidecircle@yahoo.ca
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Chris and Sharky Schauer
Sharky and Chris' original and selected music is full of their awe of creation, their
experiences with horses in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, and their love of the western
way of life. Ranch-raised, Sharky's talents enabled him to play pedal steel
guitar both sides of the 49th. He finally settled in Sundre, Alberta, Canada, and took
up the resonator guitar (dobro) and a day job. Sharky joined up with Ben Crane, Julian
Tubb, and Bob Hillock to form "Nitchi Creek", a Bluegrass gospel quartet. For the next
eleven years this group stretched his musical muscles to include playing anything with
strings as well as lead and harmony vocals. It was on one of their weekend gigs in 1993,
that he met Chris. Music has always been an |
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important part of Chris' life. As a young adult she
learned a few chords on an old farm auction guitar and started writing poetry with
tunes. Her songs were very personal and she never imagined that they would be shared
in public. Pursuing another of her loves brought her to Sundre to complete a Western
Riding Coaching Certification Program at Olds College (bet you thought it was just
Sharky). They were officially 'hitched' March 16th, 1996. This diverse duo has
performed at venues across western Canada sharing a musical mix of Western, Bluegrass
and/or Gospel, that reflects their love of the outdoors and family values.
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Email Dave at:
wynworth@uniserve.com
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David Longworth
Dave thanks his Dad and Uncle for starting him in cowboy poetry at
a young age, as they both were fond of reciting classic cowboy poetry. At the age of
16 he first went on his own, working on farms and ranches, chasing his dream of becoming
an artist, and started into the folk and country music scene. About 1983 the music
thing stopped and Dave started to focus more on a career as an actor. Although he had
some concern that he had no formal training, after 24 years of bits, feature roles,
movies, and TV series, he is now a very estabilished actor! In 1990 he helped produce
a cowboy poetry festival in Princeton and in 1991 was a feature poet at the Okeefe
Ranch. He gives a good mix of classics as well as his own original poems.
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Email Dave at:
davymac@cuonlinenow.com
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Dave McClure
Living on a working cattle ranch homesteaded by his grandfather, Dave McClure has lived
the cowboy life and uses the experience to shape his cowboy poetry and
songwritting. He can make you laugh and cry with the stories he portrays of the cowboy
way of life and at the end of his performance you will either be glad you are a cowboy
or wish you were one. He has, these last few years, melded his love for composing
piano music in with his cowboy poetry. He claims it is only because he wanted to prove
that cowboys can play instruments that have more than six strings. At 43 years old he
and his wife Joy and their two children, Andrew 10, and Rachel 13, enjoy all that the
life of raising cattle and riding horses can give. Their home is North Central
Washington State on the Colville Indian Reservation near the town of Nespelem, about
30 miles east of Omak. He has performed at the Lewis and Clark Western Music Festival
in Lewiaton, Idaho, the Dollar Watch Cowboy Jamboree in Winthrop, Washington, the
Spirit of the West Cowboy Gathering in Ellensburg, Washington, and recently attended
and performed at the annual awards banquet of the Western Music Association in
Albaquerque, New Mexico.
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Email Diamond Doug at:
ddoug@mts.net
Diamond Doug's website is at:
www.diamonddougkeith.com
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Diamond Doug Keith
In the famed 'Red River Valley' "Rhymin' Diamond Doug Keith", Cowboy Poet, Cowboy
Cartoonist, Humorist, and Western Illustrator is able to capture his unique comedic
take on everyday cowboy life, a life that he lives. He features at Cowboy Gatherings
across North America. Besides his poetry Doug loves to show his art wherever he can.
In fact he was commissioned to produce the official portrait of "Skoal's Airwolf", the
three-time world champion buckin' horse, upon its retirement. Doug has been accepted
into the Prestigious Cowboy Cartoonists International. Diamond has been named Manitoba
Cowboy Poet of the Year. Doug has been featured in several Nationally broadcast
documentaries. The JUNOS also came calling, where Doug was the MC for the JUNOFEST
Country Showcase. His greatest love, Cowboy Poet / Artist and horsewoman is his daughter,
Cody Anne. Look for Doug and her either in a saddle or around a fire near you.
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"Doc" Dale Hayes
is a poet and storyteller whose love of western stories and poems began
with bunkhouse bull sessions at a ranch near Flagstaff, Arizona in the 1940's.
Doc now lives near Nesbitt, Manitoba, and is a professor at one of Manitoba's
public universities where he teaches teachers how to use poetry and story
telling in the classroom. He has been featured a number of times on regional
and national radio and television. A recent hour long national television
special, "Cowboy Poets, Minstrels of the West" was produced for Global Television.
Doc, Mike Puhalo, and Brynn Thiessen were showcased as illustrative of Canadian
Cowboy Poetry. One of Doc's poems, "Building Our Own Fires" was chosen by an
American publishing company to be included in an internationally released audio
CD set entitled "The Sound of Poetry" and was released in 2003. Doc has performed
at a number of gatherings including Pincher Creek, Stony Plains, Prescott, Rawlins,
Maple Creek, and the (Canadian) Western Agribition. He is the host and producer
of the Canadian Cowboy Christmas, and the Brandon Gathering.
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Frank Gleeson
was declared Official Cowboy Poet by the Williams Lake City Council in 2003 for
promoting the town through poems and songs. He's the only Canadian Cowboy Poet to be
invited as a paid performer, and to be a feature poet at the National Cowboy Poetry
Gathering in Elko, Nevada for several consecutive years. Audiences
never seem to get enough of Frank's humour and request that he be back year after year!
He's been refered to as the "Fastest Cowboy Poet in the West" which just adds that much
more comedy to his already hilarious poetry! If you've never heard Frank before, now's
your chance, and we know you'll be laughing. Phone Frank at: (250) 989-5589
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The Gordie West Band web site is:
www.gordiewestband.com
Email Gordie at:
gordiewest@hotmail.com
Email Mike at:
mdygert@telus.net
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The Gordie West Band
You may have seen this dual at one of many cowboy festivals in BC and Alberta or
promoting the Calgary Stampede throughout North America. Gord West and Mike Dygert
(aka The Gordie West Band) are a couple of guys with a thirst for the folklore of the
west and a yen to play good, old cowboy music! Gordie West, who lives o short drive
north of Kamloops, began playing in country bands in his teens, spent close to 20
years touring overseas where he released 5 albums and now combines a singing career
with the wandering life of a Tour Director. He has a voice range that can showcase
the ballads of Marty Robbins and the yodel stylings of Wilf Carter. Mike Dygert
hails from Three Hills, a small town northeast of Calgary, Alberta. When he's not
with Gord, he's usually off playing with "Horsefeathers", a country dance band.
He has a dry wit that will leave you wondering "where'd he come from" and "how'd
he get there"! Together they make the music come alive with song and good humour.
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Photo by Deanna Kristensen
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Hugh McLennan
and his wife Billie live the life they love - shared with their
cattle and horses in some beautiful country! Hugh has spent
a lot of years training horses for the public and specializes in
starting colts and developing them for ranch work. He spent
many years working in radio and TV but his heart was always in
ranching and cowboy life. Sixteen years ago Hugh started the
Spirit of the West radio program with the objective to
bring the livestock industry to the general public using the
real words of the people on the land along with the music and
poetry of the west. As well as many other awards, Hugh's
show was named Canada's Best Agricultural Radio Program in
two different years. His speaking engagements take him all
over North America.
Hugh's web site is:
www.hugh-mclennan.com
Email Hugh at:
hugh_mclennan@telus.net
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Jinny Lowe
hails from Central Idaho and has been playing music around honky tonks,
saloons and churches for over 20 years including gatherings in Idaho,
Washington and Nevada. She plays a compliment of ragtime, western,
western swing and tradition country. In addition, Jinny publishes print and
online newspapers and magazines that celebrate the western way of life
including Happy Trails, Cowboy Troubadour and Country Western Gazette. She
is a board member for the Lee Earl Memorial Gathering in Lewiston Idaho and
active with the Western Music Association and Cowboy Poets of Idaho.
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Joni is 100% cowgirl.
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Joni Harms
Joni began preparing herself for a career in Western music by singing Patsy
Montana's "I Want To Be A Cowboy's Sweetheart" for cattle workers at her aunt's hotel when
she was only four. "I had a soft spot for cowboys even then" she says with a laugh!
The following is from her song "Old Fashioned Cowgirl"
"City life may make my livin', but that's not the way I live.
I'm an old-fashioned girl in a modern day world."
"That song really reflects who I am" Joni explains. The former Miss Northwest Rodeo Queen
was a junior in high school when she won a talent contest in Kansas City. The standing
ovation she received sparked her long term commitment to performing her music.
In Nashville, Jimmy Bowen, signed her in the early '90s. Joni's Hometown Girl album,
yielded the Billboard Top 40 Country hits "I Need a Wife" and "Bluer Than His Eyes."
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Contact Kathy by Email:
tkmoss@ortelco.net
or see her web site at:
www.akmoss.com
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Kathy Moss
lived an interesting life in Baker City, Oregon. Though this life was not glamorous,
it helped shape Kathy's character and gave her a sense of humor. Her love for horses
grew into a passion to understand them. After graduation from high school, she
continued to study horsemanship and animal science. She likes to gentle mustangs and
train colts every now and then, time permitting. Her heart longs to feed in the
morning, care for her horses, and preserve life experiences over a cup of coffee with
pen in hand or friends across the table. Writing as soon as
she could put thought on paper, her works have been tales and experiences about herself
and others. She brings stories to life in rhyme and rhythm that are enjoyed by young
and old alike. She loves to make people laugh and challenges them to think and remember.
Kathy has published three books in a series called "...in the Making".
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Contact Larry by Email:
cowboypoetry@earthlink.net
or see his web site at:
www.larrymaurice.com
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Larry Maurice
has spent the last twenty years as a Cowboy, horse wrangler, and packer in the Eastern
Sierra and the high deserts of Nevada. Over the last few years, he has had to juggle
his need to be horseback with his busy entertainment schedule. A sought after entertainer,
not only for his Cowboy Poetry, but also for his ability to breath life into the history
of the American West. He can also be found acting as an announcer or MC for rodeos and
other events. He is an exceptional afterdinner speaker, has hosted tv specials, and
his one man show, "Cowboy; The Spirit, The Lore, The Legacy", continues to keep him
traveling around the country. Through poetry, song and stories, Larry is able to transport
his audiences back in time, allowing them to experience the old west. Larry received
the Academy of Western Artists coveted "Will
Rogers Cowboy Award" for Cowboy Poet of the Year, in 2000 and his CDs have received
great reviews and have been nominated "Album of the Year" by the AWA. In September of
2004, Larry received the prestigious "American Cowboy Culture Award" presented by the
"Lubbeck Cowboy Symposium" for lifetime achievement in "Cowboy Poetry".
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Alberta's Lone Prairie
L to R - Lain Roth, Allen Christie, Jesse Lee
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Alberta's Lone Prairie may be a relatively new band, but it's members
individually have been around in western music for a long time. Jesse Lee (The
Midnight Rodeo Band), Lain Roth (host of "The Hunting Chronicles" on wild TV)
and Allen Christie (western singer/songwriter) have joined forces to bring you
a truly western musical experience. Their great vocals and tight harmonies might put
you in mind of the Sons of the Pioneers as they take you on a musical journey through
some of the western classics as well as some of their own works.
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Dan Fremlin, Jim Karr, and missing is Chris Stevens
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Loose Rooster
was originally formed by Dan Fremlin and Jim Karr as a means to showcase
Cowboy music as a duo, as well as incorporate a wide range of influences and genres
without requiring the approval of too many band members. The group was an instant hit on
the local scene and began getting bookings to bigger and better shows which led them to
turn to some old friends and great musicians to join the group from time to time.
Jim Karr grew up in the forest industry and has played guitar and sang for as long as he
can remember. He has a powerful and soulful voice, perfect for the high lonesome
bluegrass sound. He is a pleasure to play music with and a great entertainer.
Dan Fremlin makes his home in the Nicola Valley of BC in the heart of cattle country. He
began playing the mandolin at age 16 and soon
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became inseparable from the instrument.
He is a man of few words on stage, and chooses instead to express himself through the
mandolin by playing with the perfect combination of power and emotion. He is a great
picker and a good feller to have around if you need a cow doctored.
Chris Stevens is a musicians, musician who leads off with a ton of energy,
humour, and hot licks. Originally from Ontario, Chris hit the West coast in the early
eighties and began taking the Bluegrass scene by storm. He was a founding member of
Tumbleweed and has been a prominent studio musician throughout his career, playing with
and for KD Lang to Gary Fjellgard to Universal Pictures. He is a banjo master and a
flatpicking fool who has entertained audiences all around the world.
Together these boys have been touring any chance they have and are currently working
on their first album due out in the spring of 2010. They have played all over Western
Canada in the last year from retirement homes to downtown Calgary parties with the
likes of Trooper and 54-40 on the same bill.
Despite what the name implies and all the on stage antics and goofing around; these
Roosters are every which way but Loose.
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Matt Johnston
makes his living as a farrier and hangs his hat near Clearwater,
in the North Thompson River Valley of BC. He starts quite a few
colts and is working on becoming a saddle maker. His goal is to have a saddle shop,
start colts and write songs. Matt's songwriting talent and love of the cowboy culture
have produced some wonderful songs. Matt has been writing for quite a while but only
recently began sharing his work on stage. He has been actively entertaining folks at
Cowboy festivals, concerts, and gatherings since 1999. Matt was nominated for the "Rising
Star Award" by the Academy of Western Artists in Fort Worth for 2002 and 2003. His debut
recording features eight of his original songs and is put together with twenty three
poems by Canada's Cowboy Poet, Mike Puhallo. You'll love it and you'll love
Matt!
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Mel Brown
Mel was raised on a farm at Sangudo, Alberta. His family loved rodeo and Mel became
a Professional Saddle Bronc rider at the age of 21. When he quit riding Broncs he judged
rodeos for about 6 years. He is married to Susan and lives in the country by Eckville,
Alberta. Mel and Susan have 3 children. 2 daughters that Barrel Race and a son who is
now riding Broncs. The family have always attended Rodeos together whether it is a Pro
Rodeo, Junior Rodeo or High School Rodeo. Mel has always entertained his family and
friends with his poems and song writing. He has performed at rodeo party gatherings
and the Hay Brothers Golf Tournament many times. He currently works in the film industry
in Alberta. Mel was the winner, as Cowboy Poet, in the Country 103 Rising Star Showcase
at last year's Festival.
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Email Mike at:
mike@mikehurwitz.com
His web site is:
www.mikehurwitz.com
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Michael Hurwitz
is a Wyoming based singer - songwriter with a style that falls somewhere between the
delta blues and western cowboy swing. With high plains ranching roots going back four
generations, Mike started cowboyin' at an early age. Long days in the saddle, haying,
branding calves and fixing fence taught him the value of hard work, good horses and
friends, and a love for the land and its history. When he picked up the guitar at 13,
Michael learned the old cowboy songs his Dad sang, and the southern country blues from
his Mississippi Mother, incorporating them and other styles into the musical gumbo he
calls Prairie Blues. Mike has rambled the country, playing his music, for over three
decades. He's picked with the famous and the unknown, in the spotlight and in the
moonlight, worked as a cowboy, broncobuster, dude-wrangler, hunting guide, carpenter,
and surveyor, written a saddlebag full of great songs, and released several critically
acclaimed albums of country blues and cowboy music. His performances are a compelling
mix of stories and humor from a life well spent, combined with outstanding musicianship
and song-writing, and a warm relaxed singing style.
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Mike's new website is at:
www.mikepuhallo.com
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Mike Puhallo is one of the few cowboy poets in the world to actually
attempt to make a
living as a poet. He also ranches in partnership with his younger brother and does some
freelance writing, as well as performing at cowboy events all over North America. He is
very fortunate that his lovely wife Linda has a job and alot of patience. Mike is the
President of the BC Cowboy Heritage Society and was instrumental in establishing the
BC Cowboy Hall of Fame. Mike has been nominated by the Academy of Western Artists for
the Will Rogers Awards five years in a row. He has been nominated for; Song of the Year,
Cowboy Poetry Book of the Year (3 times), Cowboy Poetry CD of the Year, and Cowboy Poet of
the Year (4 times). In 2002 he received the Will Rogers Gold Medallion Award "for
excellence in cowboy poetry". In October 2002, Mike received the Queens Golden Jubilee
Medal "for his poetry and contribution to preserving the Heritage of the Canadian West".
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Naomi Bristow
is 12 years old and hails from a small farm near Beeton, Ontario. In the past year
Naomi has travelled across the countryside performing for thousands and being rewarded
with kindness and admiration from folks of every age. She has had the opportunity to
meet the most incredible and remarkable people that have embraced her with love and
devotion. She will tell you that the very best part of performing is her adoring fans.
Naomi has released two CD's titled "Cowboy Sweetheart" and "The Yodelin' Cowgirl". The
song "You Make me want to Yodel" is dedicated to the Canadian Troops. This little
cowgirl is honoured and humble to that what she loved to do has touched the lives of
others. Naomi was the winner, as a musician, in the Country 103 Rising Star Showcase
at last year's Festival. You can phone Naomi at: 905-729-0956 or email her at:
tienomi@hotmail.com
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He has been described as one of Canada's funniest storytellers.
Email Ol' Ugly at:
bizwiz1@telus.net |
Ol' Ugly
ain't nothing special, he just loves to make people laugh.
And there is them that agree:
'Country Music News' says of
Ol' Ugly, "He has become a favorite on the Western Canada entertainment scene over the
past few years where his routines which include unique facial expressions and a number
of story characters bring comparison to comedic works of greats like Red Skelton and
Jerry Clowers."
"I have no idea where Ol' Ugly fits in but he leaves his audiences rolling in the
aisles," said Hugh McLennan, popular host of radio's, 'Spirit of the West' at the
Kamloops Cowboy Festival in 2004.
Ol' Ugly is one of the busiest performers in Western Canada and in 2005/06 season he
performed at over 45 shows. His CDs have been amongst the top selling comedy CDs in the
country.
Contact John Glawson (Ol' Ugly) at (403) 646-2932 or go to
www.country-comedian.com
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Shirley Field
An exceptionally talented yodeller, Shirley is a musical treasure.
At the age of nine she annouced that "I'm gonna be a Yodeller"! Shirley
wrote a book with Rudy Robbins called, How to Yodel the Cowboy Way, which has inspired
yodellers around the world. She has performed with the likes of Loretta Lynn and Marty
Robbins. In 1962 she sang at the Grand Ol' Opry. Shirley was inducted into the
BC Cowboy Hall of Fame in March 2000. See the
Hall of Fame Photo Album. She has a book and CD on how to yodel and
over the years has taught many of our feature performers to yodel - some of them at
her workshop on how to yodel, at the Festival. Shirley was inducted into the BC
Country Music Hall of Fame in 2006.
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Email Terri at:
terrimason@netkaster.ca
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Terri Mason
Since her inaugural debut at Pincher Creek in 1992, Terri has been
featured at every major gathering across the West. Terri was the
first Canadian woman featured in
Elko, Nevada and the first Canadian featured at Gene Autry’s Melody
Ranch in Santa Clarita, California. In 2006, Terri was
chosen to represent Alberta at the Smithsonian Folklife
Festival in Washington, DC. Terri spent most of her youth
working with horses as an outfitter and a horse logger. In 1999, she
was the lone woman invited to take part in the Last Great Hitch of the
Century - a 30-horse hitch of draft horses. She is a
walking plow champion and a member of an annual threshing
crew. In 2005, Terri and her team of draft horses helped build
the Centennial Road at Reynolds Alberta Museum. Terri now lives with her draft
horses on a cattle ranch in central Alberta and is the editor of Canadian
Cowboy Country magazine, the Yellowhead Highway Travel Guide and a segment
producer and story consultant for the multiple award-winning television
show, Cowboy Country.
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Tiffany Dowhan
When you hear her sing, you know it's her, she's so distinctive.
Tiffany loves to play guitar, sing, and write about the things
closest to her heart. Her love of rodeo, horses, and cowboy
heritage, influence her life and the kind of music that she
likes to sing and play. Tiffany was raised in the Radway/Thorhild
area, a small farming community northeast of Edmonton, Alberta
and now resides in Bonnyville, AB. Since a young age singing
has been Tiffany's passion. Whether it was western, classic country,
bluegrass, rock, or even Ukrainian, it was all music and she loved
it. Tiffany has very fond memories of listening to music through
a heater vent - her musical family practiced in her parents' basement
and bedtime was just too early. A heater vent was a speaker to a
world of the electric guitar and an old-time accordion, a fond
memory that would inspire Tiffany into a world of music.
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Photo by Deanna Kristensen
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Tim Hus
has a voice sweeter than a Husqvarna chainsaw, a wit that is sharper
than rusty barbed wire, and a list of songs longer than a Saskatchewan fence
line! Following his well recieved CD Alberta Crude comes the highly
anticipated third album Huskies & Husqvarnas - a collection of outlaw cowboy
music featuring 12 outstanding songs about bootleggers, buckin' horses,
bulldozers and everything that is embraced in the West. Tim has appeared
across Canada and Europe and was chosen to represent Alberta along with Ian
Tyson and Corb Lund at the 2006 Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington
DC. His distinctive songwriting and spirited performances stand as a
cornerstone of authentic Canadiana! "Tim Hus is a Canadian Treasure" -Vancouver
Province, June 2006
www.timhus.ca. Tim's email is:
info@timhus.ca
Back by popular demand - Tim has been one of the top in CD sales at past year's
Festivals.
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Tom's web site is:
www.tomhiatt.net
His email address is:
tom@tomhiatt.net
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Tom Hiatt
Singer, songwriter, guitarist, he can truly be called a "Son of the West" because at one
time or another, Arizona, Texas, California, Alaska, and Kansas have all been called
"Home." The magnificent landscapes and the people who settled them fill the stories in
the ballads Tom writes and sings: tales of cowboys, outlaws, lawmen, pioneers, wild
broncs, and more. Tom's warm, emotion filled voice has enthralled people from Montana
to Arizona, from the Pacific to the Atlantic, and all areas in between. He has appeared
with other popular cowboy singers and poets such as Ian Tyson, Chris LeDoux, Waddie
Mitchell, The Sons of the San Joaquin, Sourdough Slim, and Don Edwards, at many cowboy
poetry and music festivals throughout the country. He has been voted one of the "Top
10" acts in western music, and has been nominated for Entertainer of the Year, Male
Performer of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year by the WMA. Tom's show repertoire
includes traditional and contemporary western classics that are always a "hit" with
audiences from all walks of life. They enjoy most Tom's original ballads that have
been inspired by his own cowboying experiences, as well as those of other cowboys he
has been proud to call his friends through the years. Time spent listening to Cowboy
Balladeer Tom Hiatt is guaranteed to bring a smile to the face and warmth to the soul
of anyone who loves the great American West.
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www.wildwestcancan.ca
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The Wild West Cancan Dancers
are a fun and flirty group of ladies who love dancing and all things Western! They are
kicking up their heels for a good cause, volunteering their time and talents to benefit
local charities. Their Motto is "Raising Money for Charity, Boosting Members Self-esteem
and Elevating Spirits in the Community by LIFTING THEIR SKIRTS!!!!! If they make a few
cowboys happy along the way then all the better! Yeehaaaa hang on to your hats boys! ;)
Based in the Lower Mainland and running as a registered Non Profit organization they
encourage you to check out their website. Have a look at all their feathered fabulousness
and the charities they have supported so far!
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Country 103 Rising Star Showcase
This is the forth year of the
"Country 103 Rising Star Showcase".
The past three years were a great success with an incredible amount of talent
taking part - so much talent that we picked some of last year's, and some of
this year's, main stage performers from that list.
Thanks to Country 103 Radio in Kamloops! This year we will once again
split the contest into two groups to spread the prize
money a little farther. There is a section for poets
and a section for musicians. Both first place winners
will receive $1000 each. The other four finalists (2 poets and 2
musicians) will receive $500 each.
These Rising Stars perform throughout the weekend
and six finalists will be showcased on main stage Sunday
afternoon.
If you are
interested in being part of the "Rising Star Showcase"
please see the
Rising Star Showcase page, which includes an
application from.
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Angela Ettinger
was born into a ranching family in 1989. She grew up in Houston, BC, and lived on the
ranch her family has had for over 40 years. Angela is a great horsewoman; she helps
train reining and barrel racing horses on the ranch. She has ridden in the BCBRA finals
five times. Angela has won many awards for her riding, but not as many as
she has won for her singing. She has lovee to sing from the time she was a little girl.
Angela would sing in the shower and the back seat of the jeep on the way to school. She
sang at every event she could get to. In 2006 she won the Bulkley Valley Idol title at
the Bulkley Valley Exhibition. Angela is looking forward to singing in the Country 103
Rising Star Showcase at the Kamloops Cowboy Festival.
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Curtis Anderson
was born and raised in Innisfree Alberta. He's a member of the Innisfree - Minburn 4-H
Beef Club and has worked ten years on the oil rigs. He also had a custom fencing
business from 1997 - 2002. Curtis rode bulls for ten years, but received a brain injury
on June 26th, 2002 at the Ponoka Stampede. He spent a year in the hospital learning to
walk, talk, and eat all over again. Curtis has a trail ride every year for Brain Injury
Awareness - last year they had 50 riders on horseback and 36 on the wagons, and raised
$8500 and donated 50% to NABIS - Northern Alberta Brain Injury Society and 50% to the
Halvar Johnson Centre for Brain Injury in Ponoka. This assists families with the travel
costs to see their loved ones. Curtis has started skating and curling in the winter,
playing slow pitch in the summer and this year he's going to start fencing again with his
brother. He's really looking forward to the Kamloops Cowboy Festival and says to
everyone, "Have a good time!"
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Darcey Smith grew up on a Prairie Farmers Rehabilitation Administration
in Manitoba where they ran approximately 5000 head of cattle. He learned the cowboy
life early following his father's footsteps, roping and riding bareback bronc's. He
and his family moved farther west throughout the years, cowboying in every province to
BC. He had three older sisters that sang and played guitar that inspired him to do the
same. He has rode bareback horses in the CCA, MRCA, FCA, LRA, HRA, CARA, BCRA, CRA,
and sang a few songs
along the way. Darcey currently trains horses and rides range for a living. He is
married and has three children. He writes and sings songs that are inspired by his
family and their lifestyle, and are true and close to his heart. He will be performing
these song on stage for the first time at the festival.
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Dusty Dee Litchfield has a familiar, toe tapping sound; it won't
take long before you're singing along. Songs to dance to. Songs to sing along with.
Songs that tell a story. Songs about home. "Dusty Dee has a distinctive voice and a
quirky sense of humor ... as well as a knack for telling a good story" - Richard
Amery, LABeat.ca (Oct 27, 2009). But don't take our word for it; head on over to
the Rising Star Showcase at the Kamloops Cowboy Festival and find out for yourself.
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Don "Doc" Howlett
Donald "Doc" Howlett was born and raised in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains of
Washington State. While growing up he spent a great deal of time working on neighboring
farms and ranches. He acquired his first horse at the age of seven and thus was born a
genuine love for all animals, large and small. Following graduation from high school Doc
attended Washington State University where he eventually received a Doctor of Veterinary
Medicine degree, (hence the nickname). Doc's poetry is gleaned from animals he has known,
ranchers and cowboys he has worked with, and some experiences from his days as a
practicing vet. Now that he is retired and living on Vancouver Island with his wife
of 48 years, Nancy, he is enjoying writing and reciting poetry for various groups and
events. Doc also plays the guitar and sings a few old cowboy songs, but not for the
wider audience. In about 2005 Don made one of his first public appearences with his
poetry doing open mic at the Kamloops Cowboy Festival.
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Ed Wahl
has been playing the guitar and singing most of his life, growing up in a very musical
family in Prince Rupert, BC. He loves to sing and has a very vibrant voice and stage
presence. He has competed in various karaoke contests over the years and has taken
first place several times, including the Tri-Cities Asian Community Association Karaoke
Contest in 1999 and most recently, the Jersey Joe's Idol Contest in 2008. He competed
in the BC Talent Search in 2006, making it to the semi-finals, and was a Vancouver
finalist in the CMT Karaoke Star Show which was televised across Canada in 2008. Ed's
musical preference has always been classic country, bluegrass and traditional local
music. He just released his first CD in January 2009, entitled "Off The Wahl - Country
Classics by Ed Wahl". He currently plays and sings at Legions, seniors' centres and
private parties and most weekends you'll find him jamming around the Lower Mainland.
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Robyn Armstrong, Lori Gordon, and Lynda Thurston
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Genuine Cowgirls
At Lori's Leather in Big Valley, AB a convoluted co-mingling of musical talent gets
together to play, discuss kids, dogs, rodeo, ranching and offer advice on the
innumerable projects going on in Lori's shop. Lori builds custom saddles including a
signature trick riding saddle for Jerri Duce. This hub of activity has become the
creative outlet for Genuine Cowgirls, consisting of songwriter Lynda Thurston, mandolin
player Lori Gordon and Robyn Armstrong on vocals and guitar. Ironically these gals
celebrate American Thanksgiving together as Lynda is married to Nebraska cowboy Skeeter
Thurston, Robyn hails from Texas and married bull rider and stock contractor Kelly
Armstrong and Lori is married to Craig Gordon and grew up in the Nebraska sand hills.
Their original music will take you inside some of the historical and contemporary
issues of the west and haunt your imagination.
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Jan Corey
Jan was born in Michigan, and raised on a small farm.
his favorite pastime was playing and studying the wildlife
in a small swamp nearby. as a teenager he would fill his
49 ford weekends and drive all night out into the country
in order to receive western music from down south on his
AM radio. Jan moved to Mesa AZ at twenty years old, after
reading that famous line "Go west young man".
By happenstance Jan heard Baxter Black on the radio five
years ago and has since become passionate about the
presentation and and preservation of classical Cowboy poetry.
Jan's voice and style is well suited to the stories our forefathers
left us, and since retirement he is free to travel and share
those great stories, leaving every audience mesmerized.
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Lynda Thurston
Lynda Thurston ranches near Big Valley, AB with her husband and four children. Married
to 6 x NFR Saddle Bronc rider, Skeeter Thurston of Hyannis, Nebraska, Lynda is also
mother to the famous "Thurston Gang", a trick riding and roping trio that was twice
voted Contract Act of the Year in Canadian Professional Rodeo. Lynda is a former rodeo
radio broadcaster and freelance journalist. Her love of writing has been her creative
outlet since she was a young girl and has led to many original songs and poems about her
life in the west. On any given day you might find her in Big Valley at Lori's Leather &
Repair. Lynda has performed at numerous cowboy poetry events. Her family celebrated
their Centennial in June 2009 marking 100 years on the original homestead near Stettler,
Alberta.
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Lyn Melnechenko
As a child Lyn had an affinity for all things wild and could
often be seen with a bird, squirrel, or raccoon riding on her
shoulder. Then at thirteen a neighbor rounded up a herd of wild
mustangs with the intention of selling them. She spent all that
summer breaking and training one of the mustang stallions and
was thoroughly hooked on horses. After that she was rarely seen
going anywhere unless it was on the back of a horse. She has
trained horses, shod horses, shown horses, barrel raced, and
endurance raced. She has driven hay wagon, beer wagon, chuck wagon,
chariot, sulky, and wedding carriage. Lyn has worked on cattle
ranches, horse ranches and dude ranches. She is a western artist
and cowboy poet, using her depth of experience as background.
Lyn presently raises foundation Quarter Horses near Princeton, BC.
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Mary Resek,
born and raised in Calgary Alberta, started singing in her early childhood. Growing up
in a musical family, Mary was exposed to Traditional, Classic and Cowboy country songs
that were often played at the Resek family jams. Performing in school plays, choirs and
bands, Mary soon realized her passion for entertaining and started showcasing her talent
and entering competitions. This led to performances on a more professional level with
entertaining at Stampede events, senior's lodges, Legions, clubs and private functions.
In June 2008, Mary released her debut Album 'Two In The Saddle" which highlights Mary's
pure country sound, and has since received airplay across Canada and Europe. Although
Mary's passion lies in Traditional country, she has recently decided to "test the waters"
in the cowboy country genre. She showcased at her first cowboy festival in Rimbey Alberta
of August 2009. Highlights of her career include placing as a finalist in the Country 105
Rising star and the National Finals rodeo vocal spotlight competitions, as well as being
one of the local artists performing at the Ray Griff Tribute concert in Calgary in June
of 2009.
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Scott Laitre,
grew up in High River and has been around Horses and Music his entire life. He
competed in Las Vegas in 2009 and won 2 awards for up and coming artists. His passion
for music and horses has taken him all over North America, from being a hand at the
Gang Ranch, to guiding in the Yukon, to music talent shows and recording sessions in
Las Vegas and Los Angelas. Currently, Scott is apprenticing under Ken Cameron becoming
a leather worker. Scott uses his passion for the cowboy way of life as a source of
inspiration for many of the songs he writes,"I'd much rather sing and play a song I
wrote, then just play someone elses".
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Sindee Sioux Serle,
lives in Fraser Lake BC. Her family came to BC from Idaho and Montana in the 60's and
she has had a western upbringing on small ranches with cattle and horses. She went to
rodeos and gymkhanas on weekends, and inevitably ended up singing around a campfire. Her
whole family sings, and her maternal Grandfather sang for a bit with The Sons of the
Pioneers. Her great grandfather on her paternal side wrote over 80 hymns, so Sindee
says "it's in my blood". She started playing guitar at about 15, and plays just enough
to accompany herself. It's only been in the last few years that Sindee has started to
sing more in public. In 2009 she was a finalist for the BCRA Ropin' A Star contest, but
was unable to go to the finals because of her job. She sings a lot for the seniors,
sings at variety and talent shows, sings the national anthems at rodeos, and recently
she sang in Ashcroft for a grad benefit. Sindee was at the Festival last year and
decided that she wanted to be part of it because she loves to sing, and loves the cowboy
way of life and what they're doing to preserve it. She says "I feel very privileged to
be able to perform here".
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Vivia Oliver,
a retired farm woman and a great grandmother, Vivia has been widowed for a number of
years. She lives in west central Alberta, and has been in this district all of her life.
Her parents operated a lumber mill, so that was her first experience at work. They raised
horses and goats, and their main transportation was riding saddle horse. She married a
farmer and did most farm experiences, like milking cows, feeding pigs, and chickens. They
raised mostly beef cattle in later years, and built up a herd of purebred Charolais,
also raising a few quarter horses. Vivia still lives on the farm, which she rents to the
neighbours, and raises miniature horses for a hobby. She started writing about fifteen
years ago, mainly non-fiction, which is still her favourite genre. Vivia began attending
poetry gatherings, with a friend about
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eight years ago. She enjoys the music and stories,
and has a passion for classic country music, and especially blue grass. She was encouraged
by friends to start writing poetry and with the prompting of the late Glen Rafuse she tried
her hand at the poetry. Vivia started reciting my poems at the shows in 2007, and has
now self published a book containing thirty-one of them. She says that she has met so
many great friends at the gatherings and appreciates each one of them.
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Open Mic
We can't hire everyone, so our Open Mics allow others a chance to perform at the
Kamloops Cowboy Festival! This includes the already known professionals and up-and-coming
talent! Every year we end up hearing new entertainers on the open mics and quite often
invite them back as paid performers the following year! If you are interested in
performing on the open mic let us know and we'll add you to the list! Email:
cowboys@bcchs.com
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