PLAIN FOLK

by Les Pearson
Finally, A Gospel Festival Comes to Medicine Hat!

A Gospel Festival in Medicine Hat? It’s a natural! With more than 65 churches and religious groups in a City of 57,000 the fit is too perfect. Many in church circles have talked about this kind of festival for years. But, finally, the Business Men’s Fellowship in Canada (Medicine Hat Branch) has made the commitment and done the hard organizational work.

Their first Country Gospel Jamboree takes place at the Kin Coulee Bandshell this Saturday from 7:55 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. There is even a free pancake breakfast from 8:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Burgers, hot dogs, and pop will be on sale throughout the day. And while food is an important part of any festival, there are other festival trappings as well.

Among them, activities and games for the kids! Cowboy Bob will demonstrate rope making. A solar-powered pump will be on display. And a host of local organizations, including Cypress County, Alberta Beef Producers and the Canadian Feed Grains Bank, will host information booths.

Did I mention that admission is free? Just bring your lawn chair and plunk down for a full day of old-fashioned country gospel music.

Some of the musicians have familiar names. Quint Friemark and his band are personal favourites, especially when Billy Jones joins in on steel guitar. Those who attended Spectrum last year will remember this band’s amazing musical synergy. For Quint and the band, gospel is soul music. It originates in the heart and in conviction. And that, friends, is a sure start to great music in any genre.

Other locals include the Russell Scherer Band, Gary Gould, and the Happy Four Quartet. Alberta neighbours, Jay and Nancy Compton will drop by from their home in Wetaskiwin and the Jordan Echoes from Red Deer will be there too.

Red Deer hosted another of their three-day Canadian Gospel Music Fan Festivals this past weekend.

The day’s program opens with Ross Polloch’s Cowboy Church at 7:55 a.m. Ross is from Maple Creek. He is only part of the posse from Alberta’s eastern sidekick. Glory Bound is a gospel group from Swift Current. Aaron Ruston and Freedom Song will drop by from Caronport. And old friend, Jodi Faith, makes another visit to her Medicine Hat stomping grounds.

The line up and weather look promising. The price is right. The setting is gorgeous. The Jamboree lacks only a multitude to appreciate the great gospel music feast.

First impressions are critical for any festival’s future success. My encouragement to the organizers—beyond thanking them for their initiative—is simply, “Let the music do the preaching.” Make this Jamboree community-wide and ecumenical.

But this is “country” gospel. Gospel of local folk. Few words, hospitality and neighbourliness, harnessed to great gospel music…what a natural team!