It's a classic dream to fantasize about a white Christmas, and it's even been immortalized in a beloved song. But a Prince George country band is offering a whole night of songs for anyone wanting a muddy Christmas.
Mud River is a longtime local acoustic group, and all autumn they have been busy as North Pole elves getting a Christmas concert together. It took them extra time and effort because they didn't want to trot out the same old pop hits that shake down from shopping mall and elevator speakers the world over.
"We wanted the songs to focus on Christmas, but we know how boring it can be to hear the same stuff all the time," said Gord Dorish, a guitar player for the group. "So we are even including some songs no one has ever heard before because they are original. One was written by our lead guitar player Garth Laferdy and one was written by our bass player David Schulte, and boy are they ever good ones. They've really inspired us. We are already talking about doing this again a year from now, so we all want to write some new Christmas songs. We'll only have about a half-dozen real standards in our set-list, but there will be some others you're familiar with, but done a different way, and we looked hard and came up with some great Christmas music out there that most people aren't familiar with, but they are still excellent songs. We didn't want anyone to feel they were the tired old ones you always hear."
It has made for exciting rehearsals, Dorish said, which has inspired new motivations for all the band members. The other bandmates include Marlene Bernier on rhythm guitar and harmony coaching, Blaine Powel on drums and Gerry deBoer on numerous instruments like banjo, harmonica and mandolin. All the band members sing, and harmonizing is a big part of their sound.
"We have as much fun at our practices as we do at the gigs. That makes life so much more enjoyable when you play music purely for fun," Dorish said.
The concert happens Monday at the ECRA Hall (Elder Citizens Recreation Association) downtown (1692 10th Avenue).
Tickets are $10 at the door.
For more information you can contact Dorish at 250-563-7904.
