Jessica Schwitek/Golden Star Reporter
He walked into the chalet, alone, and with nothing but his guitar. Juno-nominee Matthew Barber had no idea what to expect when he showed up to play a private concert at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort on Sunday for contest winner Eryn Stephens.
“I entered the contest at HMV. I don’t even know how many times I entered, but I used up all my points,” said 23-year-old Stephens.
“I can’t believe she actually won,” said her sister, Lindsay Stephens. Eryn won the concert for her sister, who celebrated her 25th birthday this weekend. Eryn, Lindsay, and 14 of their closest friends, all Alberta residents, make an annual trip to Kicking Horse around this time every year, so they decided to schedule the concert for the same time.
“I was so surprised. She (Eryn) just told me about an hour ago,” said Lindsay, anxiously waiting for Barber 20 minutes before he was scheduled to arrive.
Both girls are longtime Barber fans, but Lindsay was called out on work during his last visit to Western Canada, and she was forced to miss his show.
“So I thought this would be a great birthday present for her,” said Eryn, who has been keeping this secret for quite a while. Her sister was only given one clue prior to the announcement.
“She told me to blow dry my hair today, that’s the only clue I had that something was going on tonight,” said Lindsay. “I am just beyond excited. I was doing cartwheels.”
Barber’s casual arrival was met with excitment as he spent his first 20 minutes in the chalet chatting with Eryn, Lindsay and their friends, before everyone gathered in the living room to watch Barber perform in front of the fireplace.
Check out the Golden Star website for upcoming video of Barber’s performance.
