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Vintage performer playing winery

When one considers how some things age like fine wine, getting better and more artistic in presentation over time, a name that comes easily to mind is Gary Fjellgaard.
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Country singer Gary Fjellgaard is seen in an undated handout photo.

When one considers how some things age like fine wine, getting better and more artistic in presentation over time, a name that comes easily to mind is Gary Fjellgaard.

The great-uncle of Canadian western culture, the Canadian Country Music hall-of-famer, the wise bard of falcons and cowboys has continued his silty flow of melodies and poems ever since his talents were roughhewn from the grainy prairies of Saskatchewan and dark forests of Prince George starting back in the 1950s.

His branches are still connected closely to his roots. He'll be back in Prince George in a few weeks, and where better than Canada's most northerly winery to hear Canada's most northerly cowboy singer?

Fjellgaard put out his first album, Me & Martin, now considered a Canadian classic, in 1976. A dozen more would follow (plus a pair with his fellow B.C. living legend Valdy, and a video collection recorded at CFUR-FM at UNBC), and many of them earned him trophies from the music industry, legions of fans around the world, and the savvy appreciation of fellow songwriters.

Thirty-five singles have his name on them, and others that caught the public's attention besides.

Songs like Ten Years Old and Barefoot, She's Still the Finest Dancer, Heroes, Somewhere On the Island, Train Of Dreams and Islanders are considered among the best ever written in Canada, no matter what genre you're comparing.

As a way to launch the first live outdoor performance series by Northern Lights Estate Winery, the all-local fruit wine vintnery on the north shore of the Nechako River, Fjellgaard has been called to the stage. The freshly constructed amphitheatre at the base of the cutbanks is where he will strum some of those classic gems along with his latest creations.

The concert is June 25 with gates opening at 5 p.m. and showtime an hour later.

Tickets are $40 (a limited number available) on sale now at Northern Lights Estate Winery's front desk.

To order group tickets or get more detailed information, contact Royle Events (250-649-6477 or royle_events@sinkutwireless.ca).

There will be a food menu available, and parking will be free at Pacific Western Brewery's front lot with shuttle service to the concert lawn.