Old-time country music aficionados had so much fun at their reunion over Christmas that they are working on plans to do it again.
The “Country Christmas Jam Session” brought out many old friends to the Aldergrove Legion branch 265 on the afternoon of Dec. 20.
“It was aptly named a celebration of life; our life,” said Jim Lee, one of the organizers and a singer.
Fellow organizer and MC for the day was Larry Roberts, who is also an accomoplished fiddler and vocalist.
“We put our heads together and said, ‘let’s do it,'” said Lee.
Country music jam sessions were once commonplace throughout the area, and took place at Legions, Army and Navy Vets clubs and hotel bars. House bands would be hired and they would attract all kinds of musical and vocal talent, from beginners to professionals.
“The economy erased all that,” says Lee. “There are very few outlets to grow our musical talents. Such a shame as we have so much of it out there.”
The Dec. 20 event attracted a who’s who list of familiar names, who took turns on the Legion stage. They included Gary Cooper and son Jason, Frank McCormick, Ron Gerrard, Bob Marlowe and Ron Goguen.
A very special guest was Pat Walker, now aged 84 but still going strong and belting out the tunes.
Another old favourite was Mike Carpenter, who opened the jam with his rendition of bagpipes.
There were many others who joined in, too many to mention. And the house band was excellent.
“The response was great. Everyone wants to do it again,” says Lee.
“Stay tuned, we’re looking at doing it again, maybe a ‘spring fling’.”
