Large Crowd Attends Premiere
The Native Country Oldtime Fiddle and Singing Circle held their first event May 12, 2007 in Edmonton at the Sherbrooke Community Hall located at 13008-122B Avenue. The show which began at 6:30 p.m. was hosted by Winston Wuttunee, one of the members of AAAM, while other members: Tom Ghost-keeper, Andre L'Hirondelle and Dale Shirt made sure the crowds was well looked after. The admission price of $5.00 included a meal (chili, salad and a bun) along with free coffee, tea and a concession stand where people could buy refreshments. The evening was a great success with over 150 people dancing to old time favorites like the "Tennessee Waltze". At one point Winston had young and old in the center of the room while he taught them: The Red River Jig, Waltze Promenade, Drops of Brandy and a square dance. They had a great time and one lady now wants to take red river jig lessons. Does anyone have time to give lessons? Contact Winston at (780) 473-5035 or Andy (780) 421-7915 |
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It Felt Cozy
There were many comments about the hall but the most endearing comment made by Clara Gladue was, "It felt cozy!" Roy Hill said: "I loved the feeling in the hall, everyone had a good time and if they didnt it was their own fault. It made me think of the old days when even the kids had fun dancing" He also said, "You've got a good fiddle player to cook with" referring to Charlie Shott. There were other comments: Beryl said "Amy Eustergerling has such a lovely voice" while another person said to Winston, "You are such a good MC and lots of fun!"
People said we needed something like this for a long time where we can go and have a good time and not have to pay an arm and a leg. The music was great old time music and a good variety. Andy L'Hirondelle, Tom Ghostkeeper and Dale Shirt were the designated dancers in case a woman did not have a man to dance with. They were kept busy all night and did a great job |
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DOWN UNDER
by Winston Wuttunee
I just got back from Australia and New Zealand on the fifteenth of April having been gone for six weeks performing "down under". The people were nice and friendly but it was so good to get back to my own country. |
Apparently musicians in Australia really have to work hard for their money and everything is so expensive. Where we make perhaps $1500 a night in Canada, musicians there are lucky to make $150 a night. Quite a difference! It makes those Australian musicians really home up their craft and they're good, but do they ever work hard.
My wife Donna and I had a chance to see wild kangaroos, koala bears, emus, kookaburras and thousands of parrots, budgie birds and parakeets. I never knew how few birds we have here in Canada. I miss hearing and seeing all those birds, especially the cockatoos, there are such characters, always doing something. Never a quiet moment with them around. The Australian magpies dont look like our magpies at all except they are black and white, but do they ever have beautifull voices. They make all kinds of noises, something like the lyre birds. The lyre birds can imitate any sound from a chainsaw to a flute. They are so clever. We climbed a mountain so that we could get to see them and our efforts paid off because we finally saw two of them. I sang a song to them on my drum from our birds back home.
On the way home, my wife and I stopped in New Zealand and visited the Maories at Rotora. We went into one of their performances and were treated to a great show complete with all the face-making and singing. We spent two nights in Aukland and then headed back home.
Good to be home. The snow was all gone. Hmmmmm, Nice! |
CHARLIE SHOTT STORY
Interview by Andre L'Hirondelle
LIFE & FAMILY
I was born in Lac La Biche at St. Catherine's hospital and was raised in Caslan Metis Settlement (Buffalo Lake) My father's name was Luciene Fosseneuve (Sam Shott) and my mother was Victoria Ladoucer. The Shott name comes from Louis Fosseneuve who was my great grandfather. He was Captain Shott on the Athabasca River, he was known as "Sure Shot" because he shot the Grand Rapids at the Athabasca Falls. He hauled freight between Athabasca and Fort McMurray. I married Esther Whitford in the 1960's and together we had one daughter and four boys. |
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MUSIC CAREER
Music was always in the family so therefore I started very young, first playing guitar for uncles and grandfathers. I started playing fiddle at the age of six. I played all across Canada over a period of twenty-six years. I had a booking agent out of Vancouver for seven or eight years. I quit in the 50's for eighteen years. I never touched a instrument. Then one day my wife and I were talking and I told her for the first time that I used to play music and she said playing music was her dream, so we started and also" trained the boys" and now they are better than me.
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INFLUENCES
My family, grandparents and uncles and aunties, they all played. My mother played guitar. Another influence was Al Cherney (an RCA recording artist) Al lectured me about what music is all about, what to do, what not to do. He was one of the best that ever explained the music industry to me. Al also told me "never think you are better than the next guy" From this I say, "Play the way you learnt how 'cause that is the way you learnt, and never get intimidated by music". |
CHARLIES COMMENTS ON THE ABORIGINAL MUSIC INDUSTRY
"There is so much good talent in aboriginal people across Canada. One thing we have is the native sound. We've never had any opportunities; AAAM is a good thing to give us these opportunities. Drugs and alcohol has been a problem for us, but with more support our musicians will have more of a chance with their music. We have the support of AAAM so it can help us. Music has always been a strength in the aboriginal community. The more you support AAAM the better it will be. AAAM is a great thing and I'm glad that it has been started. As an individual I think the first night was good - it showed by the turnout - but we will know more by the next one - it has to be the public who will be the judge. " - Charlie Shott |
The AAAM Would like to Thank All Participants!
Special thanks to our musicians: Amy Eustergerling (piano) Winston Wuttunee (Rhythm guitar) Charlie Shott (fiddle) Gary Pruden, Oscar Bellerose, Adelarde Beaver, Beatrice Cardinal, Ed Chalifoux, John and Faye Malka and Eileen Szelewieki on accordian. The AAAM would also like to thank the following people for volunteering: Linda Bird, Bob Baker, Yvonne Wuttunee, Marla Ghostkeeper, Myrtle Burns, Shalene Jobin, Will Vandervelte and also Eric and Joel Meyer. Also a special thanks to Loretta Jobin and Beatrice Bemetrius who offered to work on the newsletter. |
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