A corral of Canadian country music stars will perform a unique Christmas concert in Cranbrook in December.
Sean Hogan, Bobby Wills, Duane Steele, Jake Mathews and Samantha King will croon their own tracks before coming together to perform their own brand of country Christmas music.
The Canadian Country Christmas will be held in the Wildhorse Theatre at Fort Steele Heritage Town on Wednesday, Dec. 5.
The concert is being hosted by Cranbrook Dodge and B-104 to raise money for the Kootenay Child Development Centre, the new complex for children’s health care in Cranbrook.
Funds raised at the concert will contribute to work on the building’s exterior — painting the outside of the centre, repaving the front area, and completing siding at the rear of the building.
“We feel honoured that an organization has stepped forward to take over the reigns of organizing an event for us. That’s a fundraiser’s dream, to have an organization approach you and say, we want to do this for you. It’s a wonderful feeling and we really appreciate that Cranbrook Dodge and B104 are doing this for us,” said Children First manager Patricia Whalen.
Sean Hogan won the Roots Artist of the Year in 2003 and Independent Male Artist of the Year in 1997 at the Canadian Country Music Awards.
Bobby Wills’ debut single “Show Some Respect” was in the Top 10 of the Canadian country music charts earlier in the fall.
Duane Steele has had multiple hits tracks throughout his career, including number one hit “Anita Got Married” in 1996. He has released five albums and one greatest hits album.
Jake Mathews is receiving radio play at the moment with his single “Red Tail Lights” off his third album of the same name. The video for the single was filmed in Kimberley.
Samantha King began her career at age 13 when she won the Canadian Finals Rodeo Country Vocal Spotlight. She sings the national anthem at Edmonton Oilers home games.
Buck Zroback at Cranbrook Dodge said the concert is a dream for country music fans.
“They are going to be doing an hour and a half set where they each play their own music, they’ll have a short intermission, and then they’ll come back and play for roughly an hour and a half with Christmas music, and doing a lot of stuff together, more group songs. It should be quite a show,” said Zroback.
The venue at Fort Steele was chosen to give the concert a country flair.
“We wanted to pick a unique location with a country background, and we thought Fort Steele Heritage Town would be a perfect fit to host the concert.”
Cranbrook Dodge is pleased to coordinate the fundraiser for the Child Development Centre.
“We are always interested in doing stuff for the community,” said Zroback. “We have a very good relationship with the radio station and we just thought it would be something great for Cranbrook at Christmas.”
Tickets are available now at Cranbrook Dodge, B-104 and Kootenay Child Development Centre. Tickets are $30 for adults; $25 for seniors and children under 18.
