Consecutive winners of B.C. Interior Music Awards for 2007 and 2008, Silver Creek songwriting acoustic duo Blu and Kelly Hopkins headline this month’s Coldstream Coffee House on Saturday at the Coldstream Women’s Institute Hall.
Together they blend traditional, contemporary and original tunes with a dash of humour to achieve an exciting yet mellow brew of good times.
Blu Hopkins is a singer, songwriter and multi instrumentalist, who has been travelling, writing songs and performing them for more than 30 years.
Born in Fort Smith N.W.T. to a folk music family, Blu has lived the songs he sings.
His influences include everything from Bill Monroe and Woody Guthrie to Gordon Lightfoot and Stan Rogers. His storytelling songwriting style reflects his experience working and singing across Canada.
He has been nominated 14 times for Okanagan Music Awards and B.C. Interior Music Awards in both Songwriter and Folk Artist categories and with Silvercreek as Folk Roots/Bluegrass Band of the Year.
Blu has shared the bill with many well known artists including, Kelly Joe Phelps, Allen Dobb, Bill Henderson, Ben Mink, Veda Hile, Jim Byrnes, Roy Forbes, Todd Butler, Valdy, Ken Hamm, Brad Prevedoros and Gary Fjellgaard.
He has also produced and recorded several acoustic projects for other artists in his Silvercreek Studios.
Kelly Hopkins is also an accomplished songwriter. Her songs range from rollicking and fun to heartfelt and poignant ballads.
An acoustic bass player, Kelly also composes traditional Celtic music with a modern twist on mandolin, and her warm harmonies combine nicely with Blu’s smokey baritone.
Following the release of Blu’s two solo projects Never Say Never in 2001, and Canyon Wind in 2004, the Hopkins released their duo CD Homegrown in 2007. Described as “like a visit with two old friends, sharing their songs,” the CD was recorded by them in their home studio over a couple of months, with the help of several of their musical friends. The “live” recording came as a result of many folks requesting a CD of Blu and Kelly’s tunes.
The duo also got together with bassist Jim Leduc and late virtuoso multi instrumentalist Gord Milne to record a bunch of their favourites live in the Silvercreek studio. The result is a mellow blending of feel good tunes and story songs titled Shakin’ The Dust Off.
The Hopkins are currently recording a CD of children’s traditional songs for release this summer.
The Coldsteam’s Coffee House is a family friendly, low-cost evening of acoustic music, story telling, and poetry by a variety of local performer that takes place every third Saturday of the month. Participants wanting to perform should come a bit early to sign-up. Open to music, spoken word, comedy (clean). There will be a concession of goodies and refreshments by donation. Admission is $4. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Show is at 7 p.m.
The Coldstream Women’s Institute Hall is located at 9909 Kalamalka Lake Rd.
