MINDEMOYA—Rick Piché and the Hawberry Boys will be taking to the stage this weekend for their annual fundraising concert for St. Francis of Assisi Anglican Church in Mindemoya. From the onset, these concerts have been sold out events, prompting the addition of a second concert the following day. This year’s theme is ‘The Sensational Sixties.’
Over the four years of these much looked forward to concerts, the Hawberry Boys have grown and include, on keyboard and accordion, Great Northern Opry inductee Maurice Labelle and on bass, vocals and cello, Gore Bay’s Paul Best. (Both of these musicians were in the original band titled The Celtic Clan.)
Mindemoya’s Jim Smith was encountered at that first concert and he has been singing and playing sax with The Boys since then.
“I heard Peter Gordon doing a solo at a choir concert and I asked him to join us for the second concert, which was ‘Sentimental Journey,’ Mr. Piché explained. “I was nervous about adding a drummer, as I have heard many drummers that play way too loud. As I got to know Greg Wilkins, I realized that here was a drummer who understood the idea of fitting in with the band, not overpowering them. He has been wonderful to work with and really adds to the overall sound, not only as a drummer, but also as a singer—really, a wonderful group of guys. Oh, I almost forgot, we have also added a few female voices: Mary Inkster will be doing a solo and a number of harmony vocals, and my wife Marg will be doing one solo. I would like to get her to do more singing, but she is the sound person, and that is a very important job.”
Mr. Piché explained that the ‘60s is the time period he most identifies with and at first glance, “I had over 100 songs picked out. It was very hard to narrow it down to under 30 songs.”
Audiences can look forward to the sounds of The Beach Boys, The Monkees, Simon and Garfunkel, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Anne Murray, CCR, Elvis, Roy Orbison and many more. “We are also playing five television themes, which should bring back a few memories,” he said. “I think we have quite a wonderful selection of songs.”
Rick Piché and the Hawberry Boys will play on Friday, March 21 at 7:30 pm and Saturday, March 22 at 2 pm at St. Francis Anglican Church Mindemoya. Tickets are $15 and are available at The Manitoulin Expositor in Little Current and Manitoulin Island Computers in Mindemoya. Those looking to purchase tickets can also phone 705-859-3925. There is barrier-free access at the south door.
