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PETE HICKS - Pete is Alberta's Encyclopedia of Country Music. He has forgotten more than most of us ever knew about country music. Born in the Peace River country, Pete began his radio career at CFGP in Grande Prairie, Alberta. After his stint there, he moved to CKYL in Peace River and CKSA in Lloydminster before settling at KGA in Spokane, Washington. In addition to radio work, Pete spent some time touring the local countryside with a 5-piece band and trying his hand at songwriting. After 17 years in the States, Alberta decided to reclaim her own and CFCW lured him home.
Pete has been with CFCW for 27 wonderful years and is heading into his 14th year with his ever popular "Classic Country" show. During this time, Pete put his dulcet tones to work and picked up his writing stick again to pen enough songs to fill his first full album, "Stories" which includes the songs "So I Can Dream" and "Kid From Whiskey Hill." Pete's ever ready smile and warm handshake are in evidence wherever he goes. His dedication and ability were honoured in 2003 when he won the coveted "Bev Munro Award." Even his dog Baxter likes to sing along with Pete!
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Click on Pete's picture to hear a clip
from "Sunset Years Of Life"
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JIMMY ARTHUR ORDGE - Jimmy was born and raised in the Donalda area where he started picking and playing for school house dances. Jim moved to Edmonton in his teens and was a regular on "Old Dad Taylor's Jubilee Jamboree."
Jimmy did shows and dance jobs around the area and in the early 50's, he started doing radio and television shows. While playing a club in Whitehorse, he met Al Oster who wrote Jimmy's first hit, "Irena Cheyene." "Irena" won him his first Moffat Award. Jim's other big hits include "Muk Tuk Annie" and "Hershel's Hemi Half-ton." When country music hit a decline for a few years, Jimmy diversified and bought himself a business that keeps him busy when not entertaining.
Jimmy continues to entertain folks with "That Voice" in the the traditional country style that hasn't changed in the last four decades and is often a guest artist for the Alberta Country Music Legends touring throughout Alberta.
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Click on Jimmy's picture to hear a clip
from "Irena Cheyene"
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CALVIN VOLLRATH -Calvin is a world-class fiddler and represents Canada internationally. In August of 2001, Calvin was a feature performer at the Closing Ceremonies of the World Track & Field Games in Edmonton Alberta. Since his participation at the 2000 World Music Expo (WOMEX) in Berlin Germany, Calvin has toured several European countries. From 1994-1996, he was musical director for Hank Smith & Wild Rose Country while touring Europe.
Calvin has recorded with the likes of Ian Tyson, George Fox, Colleen Peterson, Laura Vinson to name a few and still very much in demand as a studio musician for various Canadian artists and film and television productions. Calvin has appeared on many television shows including CTV’s "Sun Country" featuring Ian Tyson, CTV's "Number I West" featuring Brian Sklar and was the music director for CBC's "Native Nashville North." CBC’s "Adrienne Clarkson Presents" aired a documentary on metis fiddle music featuring Calvin Vollrath and John Arcand.
Calvin is a pleasure to watch on stage, his love for music is contagious and he can bring an audience to their feet. As one lady said after a Calvin Vollrath performance, “If I don’t go to heaven when I die, I’ve been there tonight” and another remarked “If you can’t dance to that, you better check your pulse”.
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Click on Calvin's picture to visit his website
and hear a sample of his music.
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STEWART MACDOUGALL - Guest musician; following excerpted from Stewart's website biography:
"For over twenty-five years Stewart MacDougall has been one of Alberta's busiest and most diverse musicians and songwriters. Before persuing a solo career in 1997 he was best known for his work with Laura Vinson, k.d. lang, Ian Tyson, and Great Western Orchestra. His songs have been recorded by all of these artists and a number of others including Randy Travis, One Horse Blue, Crystal Plamomdon and Sneezy Waters. His discography includes three solo albums, Gathering Time, heresay and Ghost Trains."
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Click on Stewart's picture to visit his website and hear a sample of his music.
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HARRY RUSK - Harry is a full blooded Indian from a remote Indian Village of Khantah River, which is 100 miles east of Fort Nelson, BC. He is a member of the Slave Indian Treaty Band in Ft. Nelson.
Harry developed a huge interest in Hank Snow’s music and began to sing and play the guitar; he has played dances and shows all over Canada and the U.S .
Harry has appeared on most of the top country music radio and television shows in Canada and many in the United States including Hawaii. One of Harry’s most cherished achievements was to perform on the Grand Ole Opry’ in Nashville Tennessee. His good friend Hank Snow is one of the people who he credits with being instrumental in his pursuing his dreams. You will hear Hank Snow in his songs as he pays tribute to his long time hero. The Alberta Country Music Legends are proud he is a part of our show.
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