When Chad Lodge, 30, started belting out Merle Haggard at the age of four, it was a given that country music would rule his life.
Ironically, when Lodge’s dad, a veteran bass player, encouraged him to strap on a guitar and start pickin’, the younger musician rebelled until he was 17.
“I wasn’t sure I wanted to play,” says Lodge, who along with Red Dirt Road Band will be playing Rednex Bar and Grill on Saturday, Nov. 6.
Despite his early resistance, Lodge’s single How Do You Sleep at Night was voted the People’s Choice on Sirius Internet Radio.
Influenced by various artists from Haggard and Chuck Berry to Toby Keith and Garth Brooks, Lodge sings a crossover country-rock style.
He developed a higher profile after performing two consecutive years at Big Valley Jamboree with his band Laredo. Today he’s composing original songs and discovering that songwriting is an evolving process.
Back to You started out with a George Strait feel. Once the band added their two cents it developed a Paul Brandt vibe. And the love song We Got It Made has a defined Nickelback feel.
“Now I’ve got a band that loves to play. They’re not in it for the money. They’re in it for the fun.” The high-energy show starts at 10 p.m. The Morinville bar is located at 10413 – 100 Ave. No cover.
In their first concert of the season, Mill Creek Colliery Band sets the tone with Sparkling Brass, a two-hour musical journey from Gioachino Rossini to Andrew Lloyd Webber tonight at McDougall Church.
“It’s bits and pieces from all over the world — all with zing, style, verve and sparkle,” says cornet player David Langor.
Led by guest conductor Fordyce Pier, Edmonton’s premiere 28-piece style brass band features Vesnianochky-Panianochky, a new arrangement by composer Malcolm Forsythe. “Roughly translated it means beautiful women of spring. It features popular dance tunes. But this is an arrangement for brass that will knock your socks off.”
St. Albert’s musical ambassadors include cornet players Justina Watt, and Royal Canadian Artillery Band member Cam Martin and Olivieri Couturier.
The program starts at 7:30 p.m. and the church address is 10025 – 101 St. Tickets are $18 and $14 for students/seniors. Call 780-420-1757 or purchase online at www.tixonthesquare.ca.
Tomorrow afternoon, the local folk and roots music community is going to sing up a five-hour storm to end homelessness.
And the line-up consists of some of the areas most high profile names: Al Brant, Kevin Cook, Bob Jahrig, Maria Dunn, Polyjesters, St. Albert Farmers’ Market busker Joe Nolan and former St. Albert resident Trevor Tchir.
Musicians will rotate on three stages at TransAlta Arts Barns from noon to 5 p.m. while the popular Family Fun Land is set aside with kids’ crafts.
Organized by the Edmonton Coalition on Housing and Homelessness, this event draws hundreds of people each year. Proceeds assist a range of programs and services for people living in poverty. Last year, funds were channelled to Mustard Seed Church and YMCA.
TransAlta Arts Barn is at 10330 – 84 Ave. Admission is $15. Children under 12 are admitted free with special group prices of five-ticket units for $50.
