As stunt fiddler Scott Woods balances precariously on a rolling barrel, he might as well be playing The Log Driver’s Song.
Ontario’s “Flippin’ Fiddler” actually plans to strike up the other option — Roll Out the Barrel — when he performs with his sister Kendra Norris during their Twin Fiddle Express show in Red Deer on Thursday, May 25.
Woods maintains you don’t need to be a fiddling, or even a country music fan, to enjoy the wholesome variety show that will unfold at Sunnybrook United Church.
Norris will crack a few Minnie Pearl-style jokes, while bass player and step dancer Patrick Linton, 18, keeps expert time with his feet. Canadian Country Music Association award-winning guitarist Steve Piticco and drummer Bill Carruthers will round out the Scott Woods Band, which raises money for churches and charities while touring Canada.
Woods and his older sister are both award-winning fiddlers who’ve liked playing together from the time they were old enough to join the family band. Now their stage relationship is so intuitive it’s almost spooky.
Woods said it’s like Norris can read his mind: “Her bowing matches mine perfectly when we’re fiddling, and her phrasing matches mine when we’re singing… It’s like something magical happens.”
Some new songs for this tour also appeared seemingly by magic: “One tune came to me when I was driving, and two more came while I was waiting for the kettle to boil,” recalled Woods.
The Sesquicentennial Two-Step was named for Canada’s 150th birthday. “Like Maple Sugar, it’s got a simple, but super catchy melody line,” said Woods.
He named Grayson’s Waltz for his youngest nephew, while Swingin’ Carolyn’s Blues was written for his mom, who likes Western swing music.
The song that came to him while driving is called Road to Fergus. “It has a haunting melody, like a Scottish lament,” said Woods.
While some gospel music is also on the program, most of the show will be lively — with renditions of Route 66, Chew Tobacco Rag, Folsom Prison Blues, The Chicken Song and others.
Of course, Woods will performed in his own inimitable style — with his instrument behind his back, or played while he executes a somersault.
“When I get up on the barrel, I have to get my balance, because all stages are not perfectly level,” he admitted. One wrong move and could he end up in the front row.
Tickets are available from Sunnybrook United Church, or by calling 1-855-726-8896.
lmichelin@reddeeradvocate.com