Internationally acclaimed music group, The Spiritual Warriors, create music inspired by the land and life in the coast mountains of the Lilwat Nation. With their unique blend of indigenous chants and contemporary roots, rock, reggae, The Spiritual Warriors are distinctly west coast. The band perform most of their songs in U’cwalmicwts and are passionate about preserving and promoting their language and culture. The uplifting reggae rhythm only underlines the beautiful harmonizing of the vocals sung bilingually in English and U’cwalmicwts, the Lil’wat Language.

The Spiritual Warriors, formerly known as Kalan Wi, are led by father and daughter, Leroy Joe ( vocals, guitar) and Daisy Joe ( vocals) and are accompanied by Richard Doucet (drums) Mike Rowe (bass) Cuyler Biller (lead guitar) and Quentin De Lorenzis (keyboards).  The band regularly collaborates with other First Nation artists and musicians to write and perform live. Ancestors, their debut Album was released in 2019 and has received 4 nominations at the Native American Music Awards in New York and won for BEST WORLD RECORDING. This truly unique band will take you on a cultural journey to the natural heartbeat of the Indigenous drum and the St’at’imc people.

LEARN MORE AT THESPIRITUALWARRIORS.NET

Love Rock? Then make sure you come get into the beat with North Vancouver’s Atlas this Thursday, July 13, at Rotary Park (6-8 PM), featuring Merritt native, Guitarist Steve Ho.

Their sound has been described as classic rock ‘n roll with a twist. They draw influence from many of the greatest rock artists from past decades with some elements from their jazz education into their music. What makes Atlas stand out is that each member of the band is inspired by different genres from R&B/funk (Calvin), blues/country (Steve), punk/rock (Jackson), to jazz/pop (Austin). The combination of different musical influences makes Atlas unique while still carrying the traditions of rock music with big guitar solos, catchy hooks, and powerful vocals. Their live performances often feature moments to show case each member’s talents such as Austin’s wide vocal range, Steve’s melodic guitar solos, tight 4-part harmonies, Calvin’s unique bass lines and Jackson’s creative drum solos.

Merritt’s own Doug James Band will be performing this Thursday, July 13, at Rotary Park (6-8 PM). If you haven’t seen this group perform before, mark this date on your calendar for a memorable show. Performing classic rock, this group is sure to get you dancing and singing along.

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Hailing from the Fraser Valley, Outlaws and Lace, with new lead singer and guitar/mandolin player, are ready to rock the bandshell at Rotary Park. Featuring a diverse genre of blues, rock, indie, classic country, and bluegrass, Outlaws and Lace deliver original and popular music inspired by the likes of Ashley McBride, Chris Stapleton, Carley Pearce, Elle King, Brothers Osborne, and Miranda Lambert, to name a few.  Bring your friends, family, and picnic and enjoy a lively and energetic performance at this week’s Music in the Park.

Facebook:  facebook.com/outlawsnlace
Instagram: outlaws.n.lace

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Welcome Merritt local to the next Music in the Park! Bobby Garcia was born and raised and currently resides in Merritt B.C. He is from the Nlaka’pamux First Nations. He has deep roots in traditional country music which he writes and sings about in his first album These Boots.

Bobby grew up in a large extended family of multi-generational singers and musicians. He has a true passion for writing his own music about the small town and country life and performing at local festivals and venues across British Columbia. Bobby continues to shine as an up and coming country music artist.

While writing music is his go to, Bobby enjoys performing his original songs and the outlaw side of country music with his band. Bobby has won Musician of the year award twice in his hometown Merritt B.C. He has also performed at The Rockin’ River Festival in his hometown 3 times.

Musical influences include Merle Haggard, Hank Williams Jr, Waylon Jennings, and his Dad George Garcia, including a collaboration of a song that his Dad wrote on his album These Boots.

Check out his albums These Boots and When I Think About Us, and latest singles from his upcoming Album on iTunes, Spotify and Google music.

Spotify
Apple Music

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RULE 857 is a North Okanagan classic rock band that covers some of the greatest tunes from the ’60s, 70’s, ’80s and 90’s. RULE 857 has a full sound accomplished by tight bass guitar lines, melodic synth, keyboards, solid percussion rhythms, effortless guitar riffs, scorching solos and vocals that will take you right back to the era of the tunes. The Band features Jenn Boal Vocals/Acoustic Guitar,  Jeff Gamble, Vocals/Lead Guitar, Roy Pesklewis on Bass Guitar, Laverne Berget on Keyboards; and Ish Din on Drums.  Learn more at rule857.com.

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The  heartfelt vocals, the impeccable instrumentation, the inimitable sound of Jackson Hollow has to be experienced to be described, and even then, words fall short. This is what happens when four of the industry’s finest get together to create something special. “Simple, powerful and instantly magnetic”, the blend of heart-wrenching lead vocals and dead-on harmonies backed by pristine instrumental talent “strikes a chord with people of all ages, backgrounds and musical tastes.”

In June 2021, the Four-time BC Country Music Association Traditional Country Award-winning  band, was chosen for an IBMA International Showcase and later signed with Virginia-based bluegrass label, Mountain Fever Records.

Their debut release, “Travelin Heart”, reached #10 on the US Bluegrass Today Charts and was September’s 2nd most played bluegrass song on Sirius XM. Soon after, “Shallow Rivers”, released in November, quickly became a fan favourite, reaching #6 on the Roots Music Report, and #12 on the US Bluegrass today chart. Their holiday hit, “A Song for Christmas” gained over 14,000 views on YouTube. Jackson Hollow’s growing success recently landed them on the cover of Bluegrass Canada Magazine for January 2022, and they won their 4th BC Country Music Award for Traditional Country.Their most recent single“Shallow Rivers” was the 3rd most played single on Sirius Xm’s Bluegrass Junction and a live video was released shortly after.

Lead vocalist and four-time BCCMA Award winner Tianna Lefebvre “has a voice that stops traffic”. Winner of the BCCMA Female Vocalist of the Year and Horizon Award, Tianna has performed with renowned artists such as Shania Twain, Michelle Wright, and Russell DeCarle. The band’s fiddle and mandolin player, Mike Sanyshyn, holds four Provincial Fiddle Champion titles and placed in the top 3 at the prestigious Canadian Grand Masters Fiddle Championship. The CCMA and BCCMA Fiddle Player of the Year has toured with Grammy-nominated artist Deric Ruttan, and worked with legendary artists Ian Tyson, The Good Brothers, Lucille Starr, and Randy Bachman. 

BCCMA  award winner  Charlie Frie’s upright bass and vocals lay a soulful foundation for the band’s timeless harmonies. Juno nominee and Canadian Folk Music award winner Eric Reed (guitar/banjo) is a multi-instrumentalist and producer/recording engineer.

“Jackson Hollow continues to impress my ears. This band is exemplary in every category. Vocals, musicianship, arrangements, material and performance. The sound is pure bluegrass but with a freshness and vibrancy that seems to be missing in today’s more traditional groups. The vocal blend is as perfect as I have heard. Led by a dynamic female singer, this band is on their own unique trajectory, and that trajectory is simply out of this world!”  _ Wendell Ferguson- Canadian Country Music Hall Of Fame Inductee

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Love Rock & Roll?  Get ready for the Coquihalla Coyotes at this week’s Music in the Park. From blues to good old rock n’roll, Coquihalla Coyotes are heralded by locals as the “greatest little Rock & Roll band in the Interior of BC.”  Hailing from Merritt BC, the Coquihalla Coyotes created their own musical compilation marking a traumatic year of fires and floods in “The Year of ’21.”

Check out their music on their Facebook page: Coquihalla Coyotes