OXBOW - This year's edition of the Bow Valley Jamboree on Aug. 6 will feature an eclectic lineup, with seven acts scheduled to perform.
Perennial favourite Downwind, who has been performing the classics since 1979, will once again open the festival.
"In the spring of '79, an eclectic group of Oxbow-area musicians gathered at the Mellom farm near Northgate and began a journey that's lasted over 40 years," states a bio on the Jamboree website. "Downwind played a handful of their favourite songs at local events and began building a repertoire of 60s-70s rock, soul, jazz and blues, with a sprinkling of reggae and country.
"They quickly gained a following of die-hard fans and a reputation for playing every song on the list, no matter how late the hour."
Founding members Earl Mellom (piano), Terry Fraser (bass), Paul Twietmeyer (sax and percussion) and Dianne Twietmeyer (vocals), along with their Downwind bandmates will entertain the crowd.
Another group, Dusty Rain, will offer four men and a woman wearing black performing on stage.
The band rocks the classics with musicians from Oxbow, Alameda and Estevan.
Paul D'Rozario (bass guitar), Dennis Freitag (lead guitar), Rob Wilson (drums), Kirsten Tanghe (keyboards) and Gord Young (lead vocals and acoustic guitar) are part of the band.
Teagan Littlechief, who hails from the White Bear First Nation, will be appearing for the first time. She won an Indigenous Artist of the Year Award from the Saskatchewan Country Music Association earlier this year.
"Singing since the age of four, Teagan's play school teacher overheard her singing Part of Your World from The Little Mermaid and encouraged her mother, Sara, to put her in vocal lessons. Those lessons were the beginning of a lifetime filled with the love of music," states her bio.
A number of singles from her 2009 album Rising Above received radio play throughout Canada and overseas. She is also a long-time anthem singer for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Chris Henderson will be back once again this year. He has appeared on stages such as the Craven Country Jamboree, Big Valley Jamboree, Boots & Hearts, Dauphin CountryFest, The Gateway Festival and many more. He has also been part of the national cast for Telemiracle.
"Chris Henderson's blend of a modern country sound, with strong traditional roots, has quickly helped him become one of Canada's busiest country recording artists."
He has also been named the Male Artist of the Year at the Saskatchewan Country Music Association Awards on multiple occasions.
The Bromantics' animated performances have proven to fill any size dance floor. Comprised of six members, The Bromantics are a youthful revitalization of the 1950s with brilliant brass tones and doo-wop harmonies. The songs are timeless and the dances are contagious. The Bromantics are a cross between nostalgia and modern trend, attracting people of all ages.
"From Louis Prima to Ben E. King, these boys are paying tribute to the bands that started it all, and performing originals to follow suit."
The Tilted Kilts will also be back at the festival this year. They are known for playing Scottish/Irish music, East Coast kitchen party folk/rock and even a little punk-rugby hooliganism to keep the crowd entertained.
Blu Beach will wrap up the festival. They have opened for Trooper and Streetheart, played live on Telemiracle, and performed at over 30 local gigs.
Carter Vosper, Remi Berthelet, Eric Vosper, and Riley Buchberger comprise the indie rock group.
Gates open at 1 p.m. the day of the Jamboree. Adult admission is $40, students 13-18 are $25, and kids 12 and under are free. A twilight rate of $25 kicks in after 9 p.m.
