Residents can enjoy a taste of the Prairies this weekend as Canadian Country Music Hall of Famer Gary Fjellgaard comes together with popular Royston duo Darrel Delaronde and Saskia at the Lighthouse Community Centre in Qualicum Bay.
The three music artists, all with Prairie roots, started playing together about 10 years ago. After singing some harmonies on one of Delaronde’s albums in Revelstoke, B.C., Saskia said the two just sort of morphed into a duo, (as well as a couple) and moved out to the Courtenay area. They are now known for their great harmonies, Delaronde’s virtuosic guitar skills and Saskia’s striking voice, not to mention the engaging stories.
“It’s absolutely stupidly hilarious most nights,” said Saskia. “There’s a lot of road stuff that has happened in the last 10 years.”
Most of the stories come from funny experiences the couple have shared, that were not so funny at the time, Saskia explained. The duo also relays some background about their songs, like one ballad called Louis Riel.
As for Fjellgaard, Saskia asked him, along with some of her other favorite B.C. artists, to contribute a Christmas song to an album benefitting food banks a decade ago and the two clicked.
“I really liked the harmonies we were doing,” she said. “Our vocals just match … they have the right vibrato.”
Fjellgaard has been entertaining for more than 40 years and has a Juno award under his belt. He currently lives on Gabriola Island.
The trio has now toured all the Canadian provinces, as well as Europe, and were invited to play at the Canadian Embassy in Switzerland, among other places.
The concert at the Lighthouse Community Hall will feature Delaronde, Saskia and Fjellgaard together as well as in their separate acts.
The show takes place Saturday, August 13 from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $20 available from The Beacon in Bowser, The Shoe Inn in Qualicum Beach or at the door. Part of the proceeds will go back to the community hall.
For more information about the hall visit www.communityhall.ca or call 250-757-9991.
For more on Saskia and Darrel visit www.saskia.ca, for Gary Fjellgaard visit www.fjellgaard.bc.ca.