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Musicians unite to spread holiday cheer

After years preparing her students for Christmas recitals, an Okotoks music teacher is now the one stepping into the spotlight.
Turner Valley artist Deni Kobi is among more than a dozen musicians performing at the Old Country Christmas concert in the Lewis Memorial Church in Turner Valley on Dec. 5
Turner Valley artist Deni Kobi is among more than a dozen musicians performing at the Old Country Christmas concert in the Lewis Memorial Church in Turner Valley on Dec. 5 and 6.

After years preparing her students for Christmas recitals, an Okotoks music teacher is now the one stepping into the spotlight.

Tracey Fleury was invited to sing at the Old Country Christmas concert in Turner Valley, which has been bringing talented musicians from across the region together for four years to get residents in the Christmas spirit. The concert takes place at the Lewis Memorial United Church Dec. 5 and 6 at 7 p.m.

“I’ve always wanted to do something like this because I don’t sing much like this anymore,” said Fleury. “It’s a nice way to get out there again and do something for the community.”

Proceeds from the concerts go to the Oilfields Food Bank.

Fleury used to perform in cover bands, spending weeks on the road singing rock and roll and country.

Since the former Young Canadian began teaching music at the turn of the century, she stepped out of the spotlight.

That is until now.

“I might be a little bit nervous, but it’s good to be nervous,” she said. “You should never be that full of yourself that you’re not worried about how you will make out.”

Old Country Christmas features new musicians to the concert, like Fleury, and some old favourites.

“I like to try and get some new ones but still keep some of the same old ones,” said organizer Joan Weder. “A lot of them are so well known and people love to come out and see them because we have a lot of older people and they don’t get out to a lot of things that maybe these folks play at.”

The two-hour concerts will feature Cody Follis, Eva Levesque and Jim and Lynda McLennan of Longview, Deni Kobi and Bob Weder of Turner Valley and Robert Libbus of Black Diamond.

Musicians from further east include Mel Wilson, accompanied by Nickolas Bettcher and Alandra Woycenko, and Craig and Angela West with daughters Elisabeth and Erica of High River and Maddison Krebs of Okotoks.

Coming from Calgary will be Carolyn Harley and the Davidsons.

Most of the musicians will perform both nights, singing their favourite Christmas tunes.

“They will all be Christmas songs – anything from O Holy Night, White Christmas to Santa Baby and originals,” she said. “It’s a nice mix of Christmas music.”

Kobi has some Christmas favourites he’s prepared, including an original he wrote with his sister called Kind, which gets listeners thinking about reaching out to those less fortunate.

He will also put a spin on Merle Haggard’s If We Make it Through December.

“We were always jamming to it growing up and listening to it on the radio when I was a little kid,” he said. “A lot of people can relate to (the song). For some people Christmas time isn’t an awesome time of year because you lost someone and Christmas seems to be a reflective time of year that brings back those people for a moment.”

As this year’s sound man for the concert, Kobi will only perform on Monday night, but he looks forward to being a part of the concert.

“It’s a really solid line-up,” he said. “I’ve worked with a few of them and listened to a few through the Diamonds in the Rough Festival last year.”

Kobi said he’s glad to help support the food bank.

“I wanted to get on board and help that cause out,” he said. “Anyone who has a chance to come out and support the food bank should definitely take this in because it’s world class some of the acts that are performing.”

Tickets to attend the Old Country Christmas Concert cost $15 and can be bought at Bluerock Gallery in Black Diamond or by calling 403-804-1097.

A 20-minute intermission will take place both evenings with snacks and refreshments available for a donation, prepared by the Girl Guides of Canada. Albums of some of the artists will be available for purchase.

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