Not even the rain can dampen the camaraderie between musicians Doug Cox and BettySoo.
The pair chat amiably as they sit waiting for the Salt Spring Island ferry to Vancouver Island.
They met two years ago at Acoustic Alaska guitar camp, where they were both teaching. A lucky happenstance for folk music fans – BettySoo lives in Austin, Texas and Cox is a Vancouver Island native.
Together they form Across the Borderline, a duo that brings North and South together.
When they met, they knew they had a lot in common. “We both liked music and we both liked each other. And we came up with this crazy idea to form a duo,” said Cox.
Across the Borderline plays a mix of music that includes blues, world music, Americana and folk.
Their first album Lie to Me was recorded shortly after they met. The pair tour together regularly then head to their homes with a continent dividing them.
“It’s cool,” said Cox. “Over the last two years we’ve toured together more than we have apart.”
Separately they write music and have successful solo careers. BettySoo is known for her large, engaging voice, while Cox is popular for his masterful dobro playing and acoustic style.
Their second CD, More Lies, was released in April.
Their current tour in support of More Lies is a short one. “This three-week trip is part insanity, part soul and part gypsy,” added BettySoo.
See Across the Borderline at the Victoria Event Centre, 1415 Broad St., Nov. 17 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $24 and are on sale now at Ditch Records, Lyle’s Place and brownpapertickets.com.
