What began as ‘Cochrane’s Cowboy Christmas’, a Stu Bradley Productions venture, is shaping up to be an effort to give a local woman some relief from her harrowing experience during and after the epic June floods.
The concert will present such entertainers as the Dave Hamiltones (trio), fiddler Karl Roth, the Calgary Fiddlers (youth fiddling ensemble), Pure Country, cowboy poet Bryan BJ Smith and Choral Waves (Cochrane Music Society vocal choir) and will be held at the Cochrane Alliance Church Dec. 6 at 7 p.m.
When Bradley heard of the plight that Benchlands resident Linda Lavis had been dealing with since June, he decided that the concert was a great way to create some awareness and begin raising funds to help Lavis, a retired school teacher, who lost her home and many outbuildings on her property.
“We’re just in limbo — it’s numbing,” said Lavis, who is one of 10 lower Benchlands residents who lost nearly everything in the floods. “I’m in a situation where I can’t afford to restore my house, which should be torn down according to a structural engineer.”
Former Cochrane mayoral candidate David Smith has let Lavis stay in his family’s summer home, located in upper Benchlands ever since she, her two dogs and three horses were left with nowhere to go. “It’s been an extremely humbling experience right from the first day,” said Lavis, referring to Smith, as well as the network of volunteers who have rolled up their sleeves and helped her and her neighbours out.
Lavis said she is “extremely humbled” that Bradley wants to raise funds to help her rebuild her home.
“We’ve got a big challenge in front of us to get behind this gal,” said Bradley, a well-known celebrity auctioneer with strong cowboy roots from the foothills to the Calgary Stampede.
Dave Hamilton, who will be performing ‘country-swing’ with his trio, the Hamiltones, said the cowboy feel will be in the air at the Alliance Church, spiced with Christmas favourites; rounding out the Hamiltones are Mel Wilson (vocals, rhythm guitar) and Julian Kerr (vocals, bass). Karl Roth will be accompanying the Hamiltones with his award-winning fiddling style.
Another feature performance will be the Calgary Fiddlers, a youth ensemble of 14-17 year olds; some 12 fiddlers and an upright bassist will be the cast du jour at the Alliance Church.
“We recently received some grant monies for the Calgary Fiddlers to go do some free shows and workshops in various Calgary area schools,” said Joanne Birce, spokesperson for the group.
Tickets to ‘Cochrane’s Cowboy Christmas’ are $30, available at Legacy Guitar and Coffee House, Bentleys Books and Tony’s Western Wear.
