From The Road to Dawson to Sooke River, the Four Chords of Wood are gearing up to give Red Deer listeners a bonafide Canadian bluegrass experience.
The energetic quintet from Victoria performs on Friday at the Elks Lodge as the closing act of the 10th Waskasoo Bluegrass Music Society season.
With two hard-driving, toe-tapping albums under their belts, the members of Four Chords have a wealth of traditional and original material to choose from as they entertain with their tight harmonies and exciting intrumentals.
The last CD, Stokin’ the Fire, was inspired by the whole continuum of human experiences, from happiness to sorrow. As stated in the band’s liner notes, “There has been no shortage of emotional charges to fuel the creative elements.”
Waltzes, blues-flavoured songs, and some pedal-to-the-floor ravers are included in the release. Among the stand-out tunes are The Road to Dawson, Sooke River, Adeline, Border Bound and My Baby’s Eyes.
Four Chords of Wood, influenced by Bill Monroe, the Stanley Brothers, and Flatt & Scruggs, deliver passionate vocals around a single microphone. “Expect to see some fancy footwork as each soloist steps up to the mic and then makes way for the next,” the band tells fans.
The group is made up of Phil Shaver on lead vocals and guitar, Aaron Murray on tenor vocals and mandolin, Tim Cook on baritone vocals and banjo, Paul Elliott on fiddle, and Dave Klassen on upright bass.
Tickets for the 7 p.m. concert at 6315 Horn St. are $20 from the Red Deer Book Exchange, Parkland Mall service desk, 53rd Street Music and The Keyhole (Children under 16 admitted free when accompanied by an adult). For information about regional ticket outlets, call Gale 403-347-1363.
lmichelin@www.reddeeradvocate.com