"Entertaining Elgin" Review by Dave Ferguson
Aaron & Leisa, "From This Moment" It has been said, “Without music life would be a mistake.” Being part of the audience for Port Stanley Festival Theatre’s 2014 season kick-off, Country Jukebox: The Best of Country Duets, puts meaning to that very phrase. Life without music like this would certainly be less enjoyable.
Despite the title, "Country Jukebox: The Best of Country Duets", the performances certainly weren’t of the “twaing” variety this writer anticipated.
Despite the title, "Country Jukebox: The Best of Country Duets", the performances certainly weren’t of the “twaing” variety this writer anticipated.
The Best of Country Duets, created and produced by Leisa Way Productions is theatre with the feel of a concert, featuring duets from some of the biggest country acts such as Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty, Kenny Rogers and Kim Carnes/Dotty West, George Jones and Tammy Wynette, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, Johnny Cash and June Carter, Lady Antebellum and many more.
The show was performed by some of music’s finest musicians, all of whom have a long list of accomplishments. Aaron Solomon, Leisa Way and Randall Kempf were accompanied by the Wayward Wind Band consisting of Eric Mahar, Sam Cino and Bruce Ley.
The show was performed by some of music’s finest musicians, all of whom have a long list of accomplishments. Aaron Solomon, Leisa Way and Randall Kempf were accompanied by the Wayward Wind Band consisting of Eric Mahar, Sam Cino and Bruce Ley.
Leisa, "How Do I Live" Leisa Way began her career as “Anne” in Anne of Green Gables, a role she played for six seasons at the Charlottetown Festival, including tours of Canada, the USA and Japan. She also received acclaim for her show Sweet Dreams: A Tribute to Patsy Cline. Leisa has graced the stage in Camelot, Peter Pan and the off-Broadway tour I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change and starred as Maria in The Sound of Music.
Aaron Solomon on guitars, fiddle, mandolin and vocals is one of the highlights of the show with his phenomenal vocal range and the ability to play numerous instruments impeccably. Aaron has performed with Shania Twain, Jeff Healey, Big Sugar, Jason McCoy, Max Wiseman and many more. Aaron has also starred as Johnny Cash in the Huron Playhouse production of Johnny and June.
Randall Kempf has performed with George Strait, Sylvia Tyson, Emmylou Harris and Johnny Paycheck.
The band members are no slouches in the music industry either. Eric Mahar, on guitars, banjo, harmonica and vocals was a member of multiple Juno award winning “The Mercey Brothers”. Eric also was part of Canadian tour of Don Messer’s Violin with Frank Leahey. The list of notable band members continues with Bruce Ley (piano, guitar, vocals and arrangements) who played piano for The Tommy Hunter Show and Ronnie Prophet Show. He has worked with many Nashville artists including Brenda Lee, Chet Atkins and Don Everly. Lastly Sam Cino pitching in on drums and vocals has had his music on television and film. Sam has also toured Canada, USA and Europe playing original music.
The entire ensemble of musicians is an extraordinarily talented bunch put together for this production. For anyone who likes, loves or listens to music with an appreciative ear, Country Jukebox will more than entertain. After giving the performance a standing ovation, many in the audience raved that this had been their favourite performance on stage at the Port Stanley Festival Theatre. Don’t miss it – unfortunately it only runs to June 7th. For more information, go to the Port Stanley Festival Theatre website, www.portstanleytheatre.ca.
Photos courtesy of Port Stanley Festival Theatre.
Aaron Solomon on guitars, fiddle, mandolin and vocals is one of the highlights of the show with his phenomenal vocal range and the ability to play numerous instruments impeccably. Aaron has performed with Shania Twain, Jeff Healey, Big Sugar, Jason McCoy, Max Wiseman and many more. Aaron has also starred as Johnny Cash in the Huron Playhouse production of Johnny and June.
Randall Kempf has performed with George Strait, Sylvia Tyson, Emmylou Harris and Johnny Paycheck.
The band members are no slouches in the music industry either. Eric Mahar, on guitars, banjo, harmonica and vocals was a member of multiple Juno award winning “The Mercey Brothers”. Eric also was part of Canadian tour of Don Messer’s Violin with Frank Leahey. The list of notable band members continues with Bruce Ley (piano, guitar, vocals and arrangements) who played piano for The Tommy Hunter Show and Ronnie Prophet Show. He has worked with many Nashville artists including Brenda Lee, Chet Atkins and Don Everly. Lastly Sam Cino pitching in on drums and vocals has had his music on television and film. Sam has also toured Canada, USA and Europe playing original music.
The entire ensemble of musicians is an extraordinarily talented bunch put together for this production. For anyone who likes, loves or listens to music with an appreciative ear, Country Jukebox will more than entertain. After giving the performance a standing ovation, many in the audience raved that this had been their favourite performance on stage at the Port Stanley Festival Theatre. Don’t miss it – unfortunately it only runs to June 7th. For more information, go to the Port Stanley Festival Theatre website, www.portstanleytheatre.ca.
Photos courtesy of Port Stanley Festival Theatre.
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