Blast in the new year Jan. 3 with some bluegrass, country and old time music at the Little Red Church in Comox.
Join North America’s top bluegrass mandolin player, John Reischman, and his new band, the Pine Siskins, as they raise the temperature of the hall a few notches with their hot, hot, playing.
Local musician Trent Freeman is the fiddler with John’s band and he has some impressive licks to demonstrate, having just come from Toronto where he has been the fiddler with the Foggy Hogtown Boys.
John and the band are doing a mid-winter tour of the Pacific Northwest and the Comox Valley has lucked in as one of the stops. The Pine Siskins are a top-flight band delivering a truly fresh blend of original songs and instrumentals, old-time heritage, and bluegrass power.
Joining John and Trent are guitarist Eli West from Seattle, and Vancouver’s Patrick Metzger on bass. Eli has been touring throughout the Americas with Chaplain Morrison doing energetic acoustic songs of rock, bluegrass and country with American and British folk influences.
Morrison and West have a warm musical chemistry and add soaring vocal harmonies on all their tunes.
Patrick is an outstanding musician who tours and records with several groups, most notably the popular Vancouver bands Headwater, Cousin Harley and the Leah Abramson Singers. He brings a solid swinging sound to his playing that instantly propels people onto the dance floor.
The Pine Siskins’ live show at the Little Red Church will feature original songs, instrumentals, and newly arranged traditional material.
Add to that the fun of watching elder statesman John Reischman set the pace for his younger counterparts and you’ve got a very entertaining experience. There will be space in the back of the hall for all those who wish to dance to some frenetic music so bring your dancing boots, just in case you feel the urge.
On Jan. 3 the Little Red Church will be the site of fast-paced, old-time bluegrass and country that'll send the winter blues packing. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the concert starts at 7:30.
You can get tickets at the door or by calling Craig at 250-339-4249.
— Fiddlejam