Folk performers Gary Fjellgaard and the Great Plains (also known as Saskia and Darrel) will be back at the St. Andrew’s United Church of Cochrane for a Spring Concert, April 7.
“It’s a comeback performance for us — last time we had a full house,” said Saskia Overbeek of the Great Plains during a phone call with the Cochrane Eagle. “Nothing is more satisfying. When you perform in front of that many people, all with a big smile on their face, you can’t help but feel uplifted.”
With last year’s performance helping to ring in the spring season in style, it’s no wonder the performers were open to returning to Cochrane. This time, the duo of Overbeek and Darrel Delaronde will be promoting their latest album, SongBirds.
Overbeek described the album as “very Canadian.”
“There are songs about coming home to the homestead,” she said. “There are songs about immigrants, history, farming — even cowboys. There’s a lot of Canada in the album.”
She advised concert-goers that the show will be a fresh mix of the duo’s old favourites and new material.
The Cochrane concert will see the Great Plains meeting up with B.C. folk singer-songwriter Fjellgaard — an old friend and touring partner of the duo.
“We both have that old troubadour style of music,” said Fjellgaard. “People sit in the audience and soak up our lyrics. That’s an important part of what we do — the audience gets to take that home with them.”
Following the Cochrane performance, the Great Plains and Fjellgaard will be meeting up with Valdy for a quick six-town Alberta tour. Their first stop will be the Rosebud Opera House in Rosebud, Alta.
To find out more about the Great Plains or Fjellgaard, visit thegreatplains.ca. or fjellgaard.bc.ca
The concert starts at 7 p.m. on April 7. Tickets can be purchased for $20 apiece at the door and in advance at the St. Andrews United Church of Cochrane or Bentleys Books.
