Over A Beer is a little different this month. Typically it's a one on one experience over an adult beverage. This month I am sitting in Moonshiners, an establishment in Stony Plain that has been featured here in the Edmonton Muse. They are a local watering hole that supports live music of all genres. So first, let's get the drink order out of the way. At our table, my standard Corona, Steve has one too. Tannis is having a Kokanee, there is a a bourbon and a couple glasses of draft. Later on the shots WILL make an appearance. Probably, almost everything that can be served, likely is.
Tonight, Nashville resident and hometown girl, Mandy McMillan is playing on the stage. Mandy has been in Nashville for quite a while now, making two trips home every year. Usually those trips happen in mid July, during the McMillan's Annual FramJam. That would be the friends and family jamboree that Mom, Sheila and Dad Buck host on their acreage. They have a full time stage and now a small saloon as well. Last year was the fourth annual and it seems to be growing. If you are lucky enough to snag a personal invitation, Mom and Dad deliver ours, then you are in for a time and a half. The event is bring your own bottle but the food and the entertainment are on the house. There is a silent auction with great items every year and the proceeds go to pay the artists for their time and talent. Anyway, tonight is about Mandy.
The doors open at 7 and the place is looking quite homey. Credit Mrs McMillan and anybody she wrangled with sprucing up the place. There are burlap runners on the tables with a charger plate and tea light in a mason jar in the center. When we arrived, we were greeted by Shiela and Mandy. In addition to a ticket for a door prize, everyone received a souvenir beer koozie from Mandy's summer release, Nothing To Do.
The show did start later than the announced time of 8pm, but given that McMillan had just arrived in Alberta a day or two earlier and had a ton going on, it could be expected that time flies and is missed. She had to squeeze in wedding dress fittings with her sister, and visit with everyone gathered at the venue. Her band is a throw together, common in the music world, each player hiring out to different gigs when needed. That's what people in the know call shows, gigs! Now I feel one of them, having typed it and informed you what it means.
McMillan introduces them and there is talent there. You may not know them all by name, but you certainly know their work with the exception, maybe of lead guitarist, Cody Yost. Cody is the non pro in the group, but you would never know it. He works full time and playing with McMillan when she is home is one steady gig. See how I did that? On bass guitar, Tyson Goodvin, brother and bandmate to country artist, Aaron Goodvin, who will be opening for Gord Bamford on tour in early 2018. Speaking of Bamford, his tour drummer, Chad Melchert is keeping the beat and backing McMillan.
Over A Beer With 120 People I Don't Know . . . Well, Maybe I Know A Few
-Jazz Matthews-