The Cross Country Showband wanted to make a big splash with their debut on May 5 at the Bella Vista.
But they also wanted to help out a worthwhile cause.
That is why band member Kevin Harcourt walked into the Big Brothers Big Sisters Humboldt office to suggest a partnership.
“Music and people have treated me very well in this area and it was a way of giving back a certain amount,” says Harcourt.
Harcourt was very fortunate to grow up in a large, caring family and he knows that not everyone gets that opportunity.
“You see people with out that attachment and so anything that we can make better for them, that’s my idea.”
Harcourt has also been fortunate to have talented friends in the music industry and having a musical following as well.
The band, which he thought was going to be his wife, Marg and Keith McConnell, is now a six piece showband with musicians from all across the country.
McConnell says that it was his wife’s last request that he put a band together only of people he and his wife had fun playing with throughout his career, which included Keith and Marg.
“That’s what we did and it just turned out to be a great group to play with. I can’t be anymore pleased with the way it turned out.”
That was also one of Harcourt’s stipulations was that he wanted everyone to come together and have a good time.
“We’ve all been there and done it and now we’re mainly for the music and the fundraising and helping people out.”
Stacey Poss with Big Brothers Big Sisters says it is a real honour to have Harcourt ask for the partnership.
“It feels great and we’re just really grateful to (Harcourt) and the crew and everybody that came out to support.”
Harcourt’s following made for a wonderful and enthusiastic crowd coming out to support Big Brothers Big Sisters while also enjoying quality entertainment.
“We’re really proud of (Harcourt) and the band. For their debut, their doing a great job and it’s great to see everyone come out.”
The band has already booked shows around the area but will also be out touring around Alberta with some 500 seat theatre shows coming later in 2017.
For their debut show, Harcourt and McConnell are very happy and appreciative of the turn out but their focus is on having an unrehearsed good time, he laughs.
Money raised from the concert will go to support Big and Little matches, the in-school mentorship program, and the Big Bunch get togethers.
