A group of seasoned musicians have come together to form a country band and will be playing a dance in Coombs this weekend.
Smith n’ Noiles is made up of Port Alberni artists Marilyn Smith and Colleen Noiles-Brooks as well as Nanaimo musicians Alan Medcalf and Pat Hetu.
Smith is a singer songwriter who has performed throughout Western Canada and Washington State with a number of her songs gaining international recognition. She sings and plays acoustic guitar with the band.
Noiles-Brooks has been in numerous bands over the years where she has opened for Lisa Brokop and toured with International recording artist Julian Austin as his bass player and backup vocalist. She sings and plays bass guitar with the band.
Alan Medcalf plays lead guitar and sings background vocals with the group. He’s the past president of B.C.’s Country Music Association and has opened for country kings George Strait and Ian Tyson. Pat Hetu is the drummer and sings background vocals with the group. Hetu has been playing country for over 25 years, appearing on CBC’s Country Beat and in music videos on CMT and TNN with Gerry King. Hetus has opened for Prairie Oyster and Tom Cochrane among other stars.
Smith said the group members can play a variety of music — and do when they play with a different name — but this group plays country rock and some classic country, she said.
The group has only played a handful of shows under this name and she said they are looking forward to performing at the dance in Coombs this weekend. Residents are encouraged to come and two-step or learn how.
The dance takes place from 8 p.m. to midnight at the Coombs Community Hall (located at the Rodeo grounds) this Saturday, June 11.
Advance tickets are $15 from the Coombs General Store, Back Road Java in Errington, the Shoe Inn in Qualicum Beach and Cranky Dog Music in Parksville. Tickets will be $20 at the door. Snacks will be available and overnight camping is free.
reporter@pqbnews.com
