The Rawlinson Centre stage will be transformed into a Grand Ol’ Opry-like atmosphere Sunday afternoon as 22 of the region’s best country music acts will stage a tribute to all things country.
The tribute to country music is being put on by the Saskatchewan Country Music Association (SCMA) – Prince Albert Country Music Association.
Young and old, individuals and groups will take the stage in two halves of about 13 songs each to perform hits from country legends old and new.
This is the third annual concert, and SCMA Prince Albert chapter vice president Gail Breiter hopes people come out to see all the talent the area has to offer.
“It’s all local talent, members of the SCMA Prince Albert branch of all ages, and we do a tribute to country music,” Breiter said.
“They’re professional players, they’ve got their own bands out thre, but we separated them all so it’s kind of like a jam for them as they get together.”
Breiter will be performing in the show herself. She is a part of the Pistol Grannies, a local group of country music-loving grandmothers who stylized their name after the American country music supergroup the Pistol Annies.
The musicians will be performing a variety of music fro a range of eras, spanning many subgenres of country music.
“It’s a mixture. There’s some Barbara Fairchild, Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton’s new one. All performed by different people,” Breiter said.
“Members have come from as far as La Ronge, Shellbrook and Melfort.”
A lot of work has gone into putting the show together, as musicians had to be gathered from across the region.
“It’s quite a lot of work because people submit two songs, and each band has to learn about 13 songs, and getting everyone together for a set time for rehearsals is kind of tough,” said Breiter.
Planning for the event started in September. Now, it’s right around the corner.
“It’s exciting, it’s going to be good,” Breiter said.
“We have some really young singers, 13 and 15, and they’re really good. Then we’ve got older ones. Our artists range from 13 to 70-something years old.”
Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under.
While the show is a celebration of country music, it’s also an opportunity for the local association to get their name out there. They’re looking to add members, especially now, as they are set to host the SCMA awards in 2018.
“It’s a lot of work,” Breiter said.
“We’re hoping to get more members, and we’re going to need volunteers for the 2018 awards too.”
The show gets going at 2 p.m. Sunday. It will be performed in two halves with an intermission. If anyone’s on the fence about whether they want to know, Breiter has a simple message.
“Just come out and hear some really great vocal talent that one day could make it out there,” she said.
“Just come out and see a great show, because it’s pretty good.”
