In terms of organizations, societies and associations, the Association for Country Music in Alberta is in it’s infancy. Formed just over eight years ago, the ACMA has grown to represent Alberta’s country music industry and artists of all ages. Membership in the association is not limited to artists alone. The directory of members, reads like a who’s who of country music, not just in the home province, but across the country. Executive Director Marcie Hanson says, “I think the biggest thing is that it’s a network, so once you become a member, the directory is open to you, and there’s membership across the board - so not just artists, but there’s clubs and managers and agents and songwriters and things like that.”
The other part of the 'like that’, is that a portion of the membership are touring artists, meaning they take their brand of country music and their Alberta roots across Canada, North America and around the world. Local members like Brett Kissel and
the host of this ACMA Fundraiser, Clayton Bellamy, travel the country and the world, opening doors for the growing ACMA membership behind them. Proud Albertan’s, proud heritage and proud to pave the path for all members but especially the twenty plus that are under the age of nineteen. Alberta country music is well represented and will continue to be a force in the Canadian country music industry.
On this night, the association is presenting a cross section of their membership, with solo, duo and full band performances. The event is their annual fundraiser that helps with operating expenses at the local office.
When asked about the artists appearing, Hanson replied, “We took submissions. So, we asked people to come out and donate their time, and we were fortunate to have great artist submissions.” Out of the artists that
submitted to play, and there were many great performances, this writer thinks that the bands stood out. The biggest reason for that is the show. It is great to kick back with a beverage and listen to the stories and the songs that were created because of them. However, this venue, Cook County Saloon and the dance floor beg for upbeat, boot stompin’, two steppin’ music. For this article, let’s look to Domino, the reigning ACMA Group of the Year. The band, is as they say…tight. The years of performing together are evident. The live show is energetic and the harmonies are equal to any, anywhere. The band, Luann Carl, Russ Carl, Kent Nixon and Scott McKnight are destined to the big stage. As a matter of fact, this writer can not figure why they are not playing it yet. Talent gets you most of the way there. The right place, the right time are just as important and that is one of the reasons bands and artists like Domino get out and play any event, anywhere, anytime… you never know who is in that audience.
Asked about country music in general and the direction it is taking, Hanson added, “Oh, I think that in the last 20 years - and probably someone who was twenty years ago, if you asked them, they’d say the last twenty
years before that - but people push the bar, you know, they get a little more dangerous, they try new things, they add a bit more edge to it, so I think you’ll probably see some more of that coming. As well, though, I think that if you listen to some of the new singles that are coming out on the flip side of it, there’s a few of them that are going back to the old country roots, which is nice too, so I think you will continue to see a variety in what will be called country music in that umbrella, and what that does is it gives more artists opportunity, it
gives the bands a better variety - to go out and listen to, and it appeals to a lot more people.”
ACMA Fundraiser
May 25