CCMA winners set to perform at the Centennial
The Washboard Union, CCMA’S winner for “Roots Group of the Year Award” for the second consecutive time, will be performing at the Centennial Theatre on November 26. This show is a presentation of Firehouse Productions.
Composed of Aaron Grain, Chris Duncombe, and their best friend David Roberts, the Washboard Union have become one of the most exciting and talked about new bands on the Canadian country music scene.
They are also a concert favourite on the festival circuit throughout the summer. The three musicians share a common love for the art of songwriting and performing.
It all started when Grain’s mother started dating Duncombe’s father. They boys became friends and discovered a common passion in music. “It was years later that we met up with Dave and realized that we all really loved singing harmonies and playing that folky influenced music, but taking a new twist on it and making it really harmony driven,” said the guys from the Washboard Union in a telephone interview.
They owe the name of the group to an old washboard dragging around in the studio, which they would tap on for beat. “We decided it would be a nice throwback to one of the original instruments in country music. That’s why we named the band the Washboard Union,” they explained.
Their debut album, ‘In My Bones,’ was recorded in Nashville at the historic RCA studio A, built in 1954 and home to Chet Atkins and Elvis. The chance to record in such an historic building meant a lot for the members of Washboard Union.
“It was an incredible experience. It was just such a privilege for us to be able to record there. The album inadvertently ended up being called In My Bones because all those old stories and those old performances that have happened in that building and sort of found their way in our hearts,” they stressed.
The guys do a lot of songwriting and they co-write as well. Their inspiration comes from the everyday life like most songwriters. “It has always been important to us to put images in our songs that will tell the story properly. The three of us have been in love with the craft of songwriting so long. Our favourite songwriters are great storytellers so if even a tiny little bit of that has robbed off on our music we consider ourselves lucky,” they said.
The three friends are influenced by contemporary music like Zac Brown Band and Keith Urban as well as the more traditional music and songwriting of Marty Robins, Kris Kristofferson, Buck Owens, and Willie Nelson to name a few.
“When you look at the country music genres over the years, I think we’re lucky that we’re out now, because we draw influences from the entire pack and there’s a little bit of everything in Washboard’s songs; it is kind of neat,” explained David Roberts.
Friends seemingly forever, the music they make and their lively performances have set them apart as one of the most unique talents in country music today. The band’s major label debut, In My Bones was well received by the fans and singles such as ‘Maybe It’s the Moonshine’ as well as the Top 5 Country Radio hit ‘Shot Of Glory’ and ‘Head Over Heels’ did extremely well on the charts.
“We were surprised as anybody that our music was played on the radio. We were always told from the very beginning that we didn’t sound quite like most country bands,” they said. Their sound is different from others, there’s a uniqueness in their music and that appeals to country music fans.
“At first we were a little worried of that but now we are pretty thankful because people really started grabbing onto that,” they added. “We love playing live shows, we love experiencing the people and the crowds and just the fans are amazing in country music. So it’s basically, we can’t stop now,” they stressed.
From being together on the road a lot, and sharing a house, the guys have become a family and they are comfortable travelling together. “We’re so used to staying together, we’re kind of inseparable. First we get a lot more done (their music and songwriting). We just don’t know if we can function properly when we’re not together.”
Their song ‘Shine’ is the first single of the upcoming album and they have a very exciting single coming our way in the next month. The Washboard Union is working on a new album and they are excited about it.
“We spent a lot of time writing and really honing down what the Washboard 2.0 would sound like. We want to give more, try to do more of what we’ve been doing and embellish that. The new record will definitely show a new side of TWU. We really like these upbeat positive songs, we think we send a good message,” they explained.
Concertgoers will love their high-energy show. The guys are immensely talented and their material is infectious. This is not their first visit to Quebec, since their summer tour included a few dates in La Belle Province.
“We’ve toured a lot this summer, so we’ve been able to hone our show; we know what works and what doesn’t work. We have some brand new material that we want to share with Quebec,” they said.
Firehouse Productions Inc. has long eyed the Washboard Union to perform at Centennial Theatre. As FPI’S President François Gilbert says, “TWU offers a
dynamic brand of country music which undoubtedly will please Townships country music fans.” Considering that one of FPI’S objectives is to support the community, they are again pleased to announce that part of the proceeds from the Washboard Union’s performance will be donated to the 2017 Sherbrooke Firemen’s Toy Drive. Non-perishables items for
Moisson Estrie Furthermore, Firehouse Productions Inc. in collaboration with CFLX 95.5 FM’S Club Country radio show hosts Jessie Aulis and Annie Plante are asking those who will attend the Washboard Union concert to bring some non-perishable items or a donation to help less fortunate members of our community.
These contributions will be handed over to Moisson Estrie. Consequently, the evening of November 26 will be combining great Canadian country music and the will to share with others who are less fortunate.
If you are not attending the concert, you can still stop by the night of the show and bring your donation to the Centennial. In order to thank the donors, Firehouse Productions will give each donor a coupon to enter a special contest to win a pair of tickets for the next FPI show as well as promotion items. The winner will be named the same night.
Tickets are now available at Bishop’s University’s Centennial Theatre box office (819-822-9692) and via ovation.ca for $38. Pricing does not include applicable taxes. Service fees may apply.
Firehouse Productions Inc. (FPI) is a non-profit corporation producing live performances while providing financial support to various charities of the greater Sherbrooke area. It focuses on attracting mainly Canadian country music artists from outside Quebec and local talent to perform in the Eastern Townships, so they can reach and meet the region’s many country music enthusiasts.
November 11 every Saturday night at the Beebe Town Hall,
Come dance with us
72 Main St., Stanstead (Beebe), from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Lunch served. Door prizes. Info: 819-876-2021.
Music by Gary Darling.
November 11
Dance at the Ramana Hotel (former Crete’s) in Sawyerville
on Saturday, November 11 from 8 p.m. to midnight. Music by the Country Swingers.
All welcome.
$8.
premises.
Admission
November 11 Country Dance with variety at Trinity Anglican Church,
409 South St., Cowansville on Saturday November 11 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Music by Jimmy Edwards Country Folks band. Door prizes, 50-50 drawing. Support
the church and food bank. Donation $8.
Canteen on
November 18 Fundraiser to benefit the family of Ethan Marshall, recent victims of a house fire in Dunham