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Fantastic finish to Home Grown season
By Chris Newel
Last week my 13-year-old son asked me, “Dad can we go the Home Grown Coffee House at Centre 64 on Saturday night?”
Given my appreciation for music, especially locals in a small venue, I said yes right away. Truth be known in the three years I’ve been here I hadn’t been yet; yes bad me! We talked about the show a few times as the week progressed but little did I know the talent that I would see.
A warm reception by the always-out-there volunteers Suzanne and Lorna started off the evening. Sandra Roberts emceed the event and gave some interesting anecdotes about each performer during the introduction.
First up, Kaila Bushy accompanied by Thea DePaoli and Fraser Armstrong. The two Grade 7 students from McKim Middle School certainly let Kimberley know we have some exceptional young talent. Amazing job and Kaila’s dad told me she originally taught herself guitar off the Internet. Now I truly appreciated my son’s desire to see the show.
Doug Mitchell (lead image) sang some great tunes; one inspired by a recent stint as a truck dispatcher for a diamond mine in the Yukon. Arne Sahlen played some beautiful songs on the ivory keys mixed in with some stories.
Darin Welch is a recent newcomer (three years) to Kimberley from Nelson finished off the first half with some folk tunes.
Right after a short intermission, “Old Spice.” As you know Old Spice cologne as been around for sometime, enjoyed by many and depending on your age you likely remember your father wearing it. But like many things Old Spice is making a comeback.
The four musicians from Old Spice, Bob Clarke, Grant Stuart, Struan Robertson and Jack Beloin likely wore Old Spice at one time or maybe still do. Either way they were appreciated by the crowd and likely set the bar for many younger performers.
Catherine Lily-Hooper read four poems she had written; you had to see the facial expressions and tone of voice to truly appreciate the prose. Well done!
Dave Carlson and Carol Fergus passed on that they were fill-ins, nice surprise all the same. Carol the main driving force behind the shows was almost dwarfed by her standing bass, but you could certainly tell she was there.
The wind up, Bud and Stacy Decosse belted out some great tunes. Stacy made sure to let the audience know Bud was her Dad not husband. Although I did note there seemed to almost be some husband and wife banter, maybe it’s father and daughter love.
As I left Lorna asked, “Are you coming back?” Of course, I’m sorry I missed so many in the past. What a great group of musicians, lots of wonderful talent we will no doubt see again.
The shows put on by the Home Grown Music Society for over 30 years, are finished for the season but will be back next fall.
Please click on an image to enlarge and to begin self-directed slideshow…
Photos by Chris Newel
