The Town of Cochrane is prepared for a repeat record turnout this Canada Day for their 15th annual ‘Canada Day Family Concert’ with headlining musical acts High Valley and Hey Romeo and local opener the Smoking Aces.
“The most important thing we’ve done this year is expand the spectator area by moving the vendors out into the parking lot area, so there will be no public parking in the Mitford Park parking lot,” explained Tracy Smyth, manager of recreation, culture and the arts for the Town of Cochrane.
“Southland Transportation is a community partner and they are providing free shuttle services from the Cochrane Ranche Site and the Cochrane Alliance Church beginning departures at 3:45 p.m.”
A temporary pedestrian crosswalk on Hwy 22 and West Rock Rd. has been set up, as organizers are encouraging people to walk, use the safe crossing and take the shuttle.
This is in response to the turnout last year that saw more than 3,500 people celebrate an evening filled with music, grub and ending with fireworks at 11 p.m.; in previous years, the event has seen an average turnout of 2,000 people.
“The event begins at 5 p.m. and runs until around 9 p.m.,” said Smyth. “Fireworks start at 11 p.m. and we will be cleaning up the park (between 9-11 p.m.) so we’re encouraging people to leave the park, maybe watch from home or return at 11 p.m. to watch.”
Several food vendors and artisans will be on deck for the event. Tickets are $10 and are available at the gate or in advance at Big Hill Leisure Pool, the Cochrane RancheHouse, Family Community and Support Services (Cochrane FCSS) and the Visitor Info Centre.
High Valley — aka ‘The Brothers Rempel’ — is a country music duo originally from Blumenort, Alta. who now call Nashville, Tenn. home.
The brothers will be arriving in five-piece format as one of the headlining acts for the Canada Day Family Concert at Mitford Park.
Formed by brothers, Brad, Bryan and Curtis Rempel in 1997, the trio recently pared down to a duo in March of this year, when Bryan made the decision to not relocate with his family south of the border as his brothers had — departing from his musical partnership with his brothers on good terms.
“We’re working on our brand new record right now,” said Brad, taking a break from the vocal booth to speak to speak to the Eagle. “Since living in Nashville, we’re been able to spend the last two years writing songs for this album.”
Brad explained that the immersion into Music City has served the duo well, surrounding themselves with industry kin and songwriters and influencing them to expand their sound beyond country.
“(The new album) is more pop than before…we’re also playing more bluegrass. We call it ‘pop-grass,” he said, adding that this stylistic change has been influenced by album producer, Seth Mosley.
The Juno-nominated Brothers Rempel are gearing up for a fall 2014 release of their third album. Fans can anticipate songs influenced by their humble Mennonite beginnings on ‘faith, family and farming’.
Following their Canada Day performance, Brad (vocals/guitar) and brother Curtis (banjo/dobro/mandolin/backing vocals) will be opening for two Shania Twain concerts during the 2014 Calgary Stampede & Exhibition.
Learn more at highvalleymusic.com.
Alberta-based country trio, Hey Romeo, has also been busy in the recording studio, gearing up for a fall release of their coming six-song EP that will go by the name I Got This.
The 2012 Canadian Country Music Awards ‘Group of the Year’ recipients continue to enjoy their 12-year tenure as a trio with the original members still going strong — Stacie Roper (lead vocals), Rob Shapiro (keyboards) and Darren Gusnowsky (guitar).
“It’s getting to be shocking how long we’ve been together…this will be our fourth record together,” laughed Shapiro, musing on life as a musician and remarking on how committed he and his fellow band mates have remained to their career paths.
With the recent release of their single “Hello Patio” the band has set the bar high with their coming release and intend to continue expanding beyond Alberta borders, into the U.S. and in Europe.
Shapiro said the trio is looking forward to performing in Cochrane for Canada Day and will be performing as a five-piece band.
Learn more at heyromeo.com.
