Washboard Union a band to watch

Ron Sakamoto knows talent and he’s a huge fan of B.C. band The Washboard Union.

Sakamoto first connected with the band through his son Shawn, who met the members on a flight to Nashville.

After they met the legendary Canadian country music promoter and his wife Joyce in person, “they loved us so much Ron said ‘let’s put you on a big stage and see what you can do,’” Chris Duncombe of The Washboard Union told me in 2017 before the band played the U of L’s Shine On summer festival.

The band has taken the country by storm in recent years and has developed a strong fan base in southern Alberta.

They’ve won a ton of awards, including two Canadian Country Music Association honours this year for roots group and group or duo of the year. In 2016, they were won the CCMA rising star award.

Combined with awards from the British Columbia Country Music Association and other organizations, The Washboard Union has taken home a whopping 23 honours in three short years.

“They’re going to be Canada’s next big thing,” Sakamoto told me recently from Arizona.

And he should know. After all, Ron has worked with the biggest names in the business, including Shania Twain and Johnny Reid.

“We started them slow and built them up. They’re tremendous artists,” said Sakamoto, who recalls son Shawn telling him “these guys are pretty good.”

Good enough that they’ve captured the eye and support of the biggest name in Canadian country music promotion.

MORE COUNTRY ON TAP:

Speaking of music, Alberta’s own Brett Kissel is ready to take the Enmax Centre by storm on Nov. 29. The rising star is hitting Lethbridge on the second part of a massive Canadian tour that is taking him to big and small venues alike. As you read in last Saturday’s Herald, I had the pleasure of talking to Kissel recently and he’s the real deal — a singer who grew up on an Alberta cattle ranch and has lived the actual western life.

One interesting tidbit I’ve learned about Kissel was he got one of his first public performance opportunities courtesy of Danny Hooper, who some will remember being the entertainment when the local Re/Max franchise years ago staged a customer appreciation night at the Enmax Centre.

I’m hoping to take in Kissel’s performance after I get my hearing aids adjusted so keep an eye out for a potential review.

Fans of the veteran Canadian rock band Helix may have heard drummer Greg ‘Fritz’ Hinz is in hospital recovering after falling off his roof recently. Hinz suffered some serious injuries, including a fractured skull, and has a long road to recovery ahead of him. A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help the self-employed Hinz pay expenses while he’s off work and away from the drum kit. Fans and friends can find the campaign at

Helix is a regular performer on Lethbridge stages and Hinz has played a key role in the band for many years.

BAD NEWS FOR HELIX: gofundme.com VAN CHRISTOU EXHIBIT:

If

you have a chance, visit the Trianon Gallery tomorrow between 2 and 10 p.m. for the launch of an exhibit of his photographs, being curated by his son Philip.

Van Christou was a highly respected and beloved member of the city’s arts community for decades and the exhibit will pay homage to his talents and contributions to the city’s cultural fabric.