There may have been a few restrictions lifted over the summer, but indoor gatherings for shows are still under strict regulations. This means musical acts like the Back 40 Drifters, Shifty Morgan and Eli Barsi need to make other plans if they want to perform for live audiences in 2020.
Back 40 Drifters
The Back 40 Drifters have been a known band in the area for several years.
“We got together about six and a half years ago. We changed a few members over that time, but essentially myself, Lorne Frape, Chris Istace and Darren Fisk, the four of us are the founding members. We played throughout South Eastern Saskatchewan and South West Manitoba,” says John Van Eaton, lead vocalist for the Back 40 Drifters.
Van Eaton explains that the band is made up of guys with jobs other than musicians.
“We have businesses to run, we are not out on tour so our goal is to play 15 to 20 times a year. Everything we had on the books has been cancelled and we have nothing on the books (for the rest of the year). There is so much uncertainty about putting on a public event. I think that the recent rise in positive cases of Covid-19, don’t do anything or encourage anyone to lift restrictions in order to put on a live event,” says Van Eaton.
Just because there are no gigs, it doesn’t mean the Back 40 Drifters are not getting together.
“We’ve gotten together on a few occasions and certainly are aware of the precautions that need to be taken even in small groups. We are keeping the rust off,” says Van Eaton.
The group is also reaching out to places to see if there can be a safe way to perform to a crowd again. Trying to get a show for their band has given Van Eaton an appreciation for people who do it for a living.
“I really appreciate people in the sales industry now. We’d really like to do a drive-in or parking lot type show. We have been working with two or three communities, to see if we can put that together, but that is still pretty tentative. We would play this afternoon if someone gave us the go-ahead,” Van Eaton explains.
Shifty Morgan
Anthony Kelly of Shifty Morgan a band based out of the Moosomin Rocanville area for the last 25 years, says that his group is taking a sabbatical while the pandemic is going on.
“This year we definitely had a couple of weddings that had to be postponed, but our calendar wasn’t too full yet by the time Covid-19 came along. As far as what we are doing as a band to promote ourselves, its really not much, we are just sort of waiting it out,” says Kelly.
There is still interest in the band, but Shifty Morgan has no problem waiting until this pandemic is over.
“The couple of things we did have scheduled for this year have been rescheduled for next year and we are hoping to perform those shows then,” says Kelly.
Eli Barsi
Local recording artist Eli Barsi went online when the pandemic hit.
“We did some live stream concerts. SaskMusic is so good at looking after their artists. The National Arts Center in Ottawa had something they sent out and you could apply for a spot on a one-hour online concert. I was so thankful to get that,” Says Barsi.
Although it was not an ideal setting for a live show, Barsi is still grateful that she got to perform for people on this new platform.
“You had to realize that now you are reaching the world, not just the people in the room,” says Barsi.
While the world is waiting to see what is going to happen, Barsi is using this time to pursue the her other artistic avenues, but also stay healthy,
“I have many other creative art things I can do that hopefully will bring in an income. It all comes from my mind and my hands and so it is important to stay healthy because my whole future depends on my health. I am so blessed to have these outlets,” says Barsi.
