The Rock Show Experience has been a longstanding tradition in the Prince Albert Winter Festival.
This year’s show included regular performers who have been on the stage for years like Nancy Hagen and Kim Villeneuve. But this year a new performer brought his guitar to the show.
Jaden Schutte, a 19-year-old musician from Canwood, made his debut Friday night at the Prince Albert Exhibition Centre.
Schutte wowed the crowd playing guitar for ‘Cliffs of Dover’ an instrumental piece by Eric Johnson. Schutte said the instrument is a favourite.
“I started playing, I think it was eight, turning nine,” Schutte said. “I guess it’s been 10 years now. Guitar, that’s one of my biggest passions for sure. I’ve had more fun with that than most things in my life.”
Schutte said the process of moving from auditions to rehearsals and performance has been excellent. He noted how great the Rock Show Experience Band led by show producer Dennis Adams is to play with.
“It’s been a lot of fun. It’s a great show. The band is amazing, and honestly, doing a song like that makes it makes it a lot easier. You couldn’t do it without a band that good That’s like one of the hardest songs I’ve probably played for timing and everything else.”
Shutte said the experience has been fun but he agreed it was daring to play a piece exclusively on guitar. Especially since this year’s performance was his first time at the Rock Show Experience.
“I haven’t been to watch before,” he said. “I know it’s been a good show. I’ve heard lots of good stuff about it.”
Schutte said that he wanted to experience playing music with a great band.
“I’ve played lots of shows,” he said. “My whole family plays music. We’ve done lots of stuff in the area for Christmas things or little things in churches. I’ve got lots of experience playing music in front of people just not with a great band.”
Schutte took lessons from Dennis Adams for four years and also took lessons from another Winter Festival band member: Kerri English.
“They had always told me about it,” Schutte said. “I heard about it, so I was like, ‘I think this year’s a good year.’ I feel confident on stage, and it’s something I really enjoy doing, so I started having some more fun with it.”
michael.oleksyn@paherald.sk.ca
