The promise they害羞草研究所檙e not rebuilding their railway heritage concerts, only fine-tuning them.

After two decades of delivering tales and songs about life on the railway to their ever-increasing fan base, you might wonder why they would want to mess with success. But for 2018, they害羞草研究所檙e introducing new songs, plus a surprise concert ending added to their shows.

Jack Godwin, the leader of the band, said they害羞草研究所檙e busier than ever.

害羞草研究所淲e used to just start playing in April and play through to September and October,害羞草研究所� said Godwin. 害羞草研究所淭he valley is now filling up in the winter with snowbirds. They害羞草研究所檙e seniors and they know trains because a lot of them are prairie people.害羞草研究所�

The Brakemen have two concerts booked already, performing for northern snowbirds wintering in the South Okanagan. On Feb. 24, they will be at the Osoyoos Seniors Centre, a concert that has sold out over the past couple of years. For more info about his concert, call 250-495-3211.

害羞草研究所淭hey sell out a week in advance,害羞草研究所� said Godwin. 害羞草研究所淲e started doing the same thing in Peachland. Then in the summer, we害羞草研究所檙e travelling around to music festivals.害羞草研究所�

Peachland is also already booked, for an afternoon concert on March 11 at the local seniors害羞草研究所� centre. Call. 250-767-2647 to find out more.

The number of places you can find the Brakemen playing is growing too.

About ten years ago, the Brakemen also started playing seniors害羞草研究所� accommodations, though only a few, since most couldn害羞草研究所檛 afford the band.

害羞草研究所淭hey were used to, in those days, having kids come in from the piano class and playing 茅tudes, and they would listen for a while,害羞草研究所� said Godwin, explaining that the kind of seniors害羞草研究所� accommodations opening up in the last five years or so have been radically different.

害羞草研究所淭hey have sound systems built in, they have seating areas,害羞草研究所� said Godwin. 害羞草研究所淭he people that are going to seniors homes nowadays are just a little bit younger than I am and they are wanting entertainment.害羞草研究所�

Plus, the modern homes tend to be wired and ready for professional entertainers.

害羞草研究所淵ou just show up, plug in and perform.害羞草研究所�

Godwin is also being mysterious about a new ending to Brakemen shows, saying that they害羞草研究所檙e not going to make the audience 害羞草研究所減ay害羞草研究所� for an encore this year.

No excessive applauding, cheering or foot stomping needed. The free encore follows the full Brakemen concert/singalong and they promise will finally answer one the most persistent questions asked of the band, according to their press release.

害羞草研究所淔or some reason, people love this, we害羞草研究所檙e all in on this encore joke,害羞草研究所� said Godwin, adding that for the encore they usually play a song relating to where they are performing, like Rattlesnake Rain if it was Naramata.

害羞草研究所淲hat we are doing this year is something completely different. It will still be the same Brakemen ending, but then there will be this little, added treat.害羞草研究所�

They have lots of their own original songs, but the Brakemen have been known to take some liberties with classic railroad songs, like Orange Blossom Special 害羞草研究所� specifically Johnny Cash害羞草研究所檚 harmonica version.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檝e adapted the lyrics, so it害羞草研究所檚 now called Cantaloupe Special. The first product they carried when they opened up the southern part of the Kettle Valley line in the 40s, was cantaloupes. They grew them down in Osoyoos and Oliver and there was a famous little train call 害羞草研究所楥antaloupe Manny害羞草研究所櫤π卟菅芯克鶟

Beyond just appealing to the love of railroads in everyone, Godwin said their mix of humour, music and storytelling has a timeless appeal.

害羞草研究所淭hat combination of stories and songs really works. The first guys who were musicians and ever made money 害羞草研究所� or their food 害羞草研究所� made it by travelling from community to community, telling stories and singing songs,害羞草研究所� said Godwin. 害羞草研究所淭hat appeal still works for people.害羞草研究所�

Steve Kidd

Senior reporter,

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