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.... Phone Orders for 2010 tickets - 604-594-1030 - July 9-11, 2010 ....

Past Performers

Festival Infomation

	SWITCH Singer song-writer Alan Kirk has teamed up with singer song-writer Ray Yule to lead a hot new band called Switch. Their catchy and energetic rock has received high praise in Canada and internationally. Based in the Kootenays, Kirk and Yule find inspiration from the area’s natural beauty and eclectic, creative culture. Don’t miss their “unplugged” selections at Whatshan!

	ASH This trio of excellent Okanagan musicians and singers features tight, energetic harmonies that will get your toes tapping. Their range covers everything from folk/roots to classic and contemporary pop selections.

	THE CATS AND THE FIDDLE The Cats and the Fiddle is an all-female Shuswap band that features fiddles, five-part vocals, and intricate harmonies. The group has Susan on fiddle, Sonja on fiddle and guitar, Heather on guitar, Adrienna on drums, and Natalie of bass and keyboards. The band specializes in fiddle music from Canada's east and west coasts, with some excellent bluegrass and a lot of fun thrown into the mix. Vocally, the Cats and the Fiddle sound like a mixture of the Wailin' Jennys and the Rankin Sisters. You'll love their pleasing sounds!

	THE CROPDUSTERS The Cropdusters, led by international singing sensation Dallas Wolbaum, perform classic outlaw country at its best. Remember Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, and Hank Williams? The Cropdusters have re-embodied the spirit of their honky-tonk anscestors, and created a truly unique show that will grab you by the throat, beat you unmercifully, and treat you like one of its bastard unfinished songs. If you like songs about drinking, killing, dancing, and making love, you'll really like The Cropdusters.

	JASON THOMAS GROUP Jason Thomas is a 22 year old musician from Trail, BC who has been playing guitar and singing for the past 13 years. He has been performing at local events and playing on a regular basis wth local Kootenay musicians. Jason has opened shows for Sawyer Brown, Wide Mouth Mason, Jym Byrnes, and Sugarland at the Merrit Mountain Music Festival. He also performed at Merritt again in 2009 alongside such stars as Kenny Chesney and Steve Miller Band His music crosses many genres but country lyrics with rock arangements might best describe his strongest material.

	RESTLESS LESTER Restless Lester, led by excelent guitarist Steve Fisher, plays several different styles of music, including very strong bluegrass selections. Restless Lester first performed at the 2007 Whatshan Lake Music Festival and had an enthusiatic audience calling for more. They're back!. There's always some Bill Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs and Stanley Brothers material in their shows,played and sung just as straight and true as they can do it. You'll hear some Gregg Allman, Loudon Wainwright III and Paul Simon in their sets along with songs like "Mystery Train" which has all the elements of a good bluegrass song. And with a fiddler like Bruce in the band, it just makes sense to feature fiddle music from various styles including the great Canadian fiddle traditions.

	SASKIA AND DARREL Saskia has shared a stage with such notables as Valdy, Ian Tyson, Roy Forbes and more. While touring throughout Europe, Western Canada, the United States and Mexico she turned out four albums: Back in Time, Lady Luck, Saskia, and the highly acclaimed Christmas Dream. Darrel is a veteran performer and sought after studio musician, whose debut album Family Tree features guest appearances by Darby Mills and Daniel Powter. Together, Saskia and Darrel deliver fine vocals and excellent musicianship in the folk/roots style.

	STU MITCHELL Back by polular demand! This Canadian musical legend has played with some the finest musicians of our time: Diamond Joe White, Ian Tyson, KD Lang, Roy Orbison, Jimmy Gilmour, Original Cast, Privilege, Barry Allen, Wes Dakus, Amos Garrett’s A Team Band, Norman Petty, and many others. Stu is a multi-instrumentalist who is at home singing powerful classic country, his own original tunes, or backing others as a renowned drummer, one of Canada’s finest. With his band Privilege he recorded for Capital and MCA. • No matter what style of music Stu is playing or singing, at Whatshan he is fondly known as "Mr. Smooth." Listen closely to his version of City of New Orleans and you'll know why.

	DARREN JOHNSON A truly fine roots musician, Calgary's Darren Johnson's performances have been called earthy, soulful, bluesy, folksy, and sultry. His unique voice and stylish acoustic guitar playing will transport your senses into new and moving musical places. Well-known Canadian performer Amos Garrett says that "Darren's music sounds like a BBQ smells--smokey, sweet, spicy." And Terry David Mulligan, who is no stranger to Canada's music scene, simply says that "This is damn fine--this is good stuff."

	JOHN LEE SAUNDERS John Lee Sanders can sit in front of a piano and bring smoke from a Texas BBQ, a New Orleans Street Parade, and the Soul of the Mississippi Delta. He's an Emmy nominated composer, and winner of three 2009 Canadian Music Awards. His songs and film scores have been heard on CBC Radio-Canada Live, network television, and commercials for giants of industry like Apple Computer, Nissan, and Wal Mart. He headlines blues and jazz festivals all over North America and Europe. John Lee grew up in the Mississippi Delta, the swamps of Louisiana, and Texas. He was immersed in a wealth of jazz, country, blues, and gospel music. He is a gifted composer with a degree in composition from North Texas Sate University. In 2009 he was invited by The Library of Congress and ASCAP to perform in Washington DC with some of the greatest composers of the last 50 years, including Paul Williams, Johnny Mandel, and Jimmy Webb. In San Francisco he was a producer with Narada Michael Walden, helping to produce mega hits for Mariah Carey, Whitney Huston, and Aretha Franklin. He has performed live and in the studio with Stevie Wonder, Willie Nelson Jimmy Page, Huey Lewis, and Chuck Berry. For many years he was the music director for Long John Baldry. John Lee now lives in Kelowna with his wife Judy. When not touring he produces film and television music and records solo in his own recording studio. John Lee is the "real deal," folks...don't miss him.

	CIRCO de TEATRO Circo de Teatro is Jude Davison's latest CD release, the18th of his diverse career. Based on the book Water for Elephants, this production has a unique sound that combines Americana, Roots, R&B, Dixieland, and Mexican Mariachi music, bringing to life the sights and sounds of a travelling circus, with its freaks, misfits, and performers who make their careers working in a travelling show. Jude is backed by a fabulous ten-piece band, with a hot horn section, the banjo artistry of Craig Korth ( of bluegrass fame), accordion, lap steel guitar, and an ultra- tight rhythm section. With original theatrical vocals by Jude and other members of the group, and creative costumes throughout the show, Circo de Teatro is a feast for the eyes and ears. Jude says that "My goal [with Circo de Teatro] ... was to open up musically, to really try to make this whole album be a complete listening experience, to tell a musical story." Circo de Teatro, which combines musical and theatrical elements, has been enjoying rave reviews and multiple standing ovations. Don't miss it!

	THE DOUKHOBOR MEN'S TRI CHOIR "SPECIAL APPEARANCE BY THE DOUKHOBOR MEN'S TRI CHOIR at the Sunday morning inspirational hour. This renowned choir, formed on the principle of unity that would transcend Doukhobor factions, first appeared at the Whatshan Lake Retreat a decade ago. Now, ten years later, they bring their powerful voices back to help celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Whatshan Lake Music Festival. Their repertoire includes Doukhobor hymns and Russian folk songs, as well as other inspirational numbers. They will fill Whatshan's beautiful surroundings with a truly "joyful sound" that will leave everyone inspired and entertained.