The audience at Bert Church LIVE Theatre will be treated to the sounds of Newfoundland when Buddy Wasisname and the Other Fellers bring their blend of music and comedy to Airdrie one final time Oct. 16. “It’s been a wonderful ride,” said Kevin Blackmore, a.k.a Buddy Wasisname. “We’ve been very privileged to be able to do it for so long and make our way around the country.” Blackmore said the group has been performing its high-energy show across Canada for 36 years, playing music on a variety of instruments, including accordion, fiddle, mandolin, guitars, bass, and what Blackmore calls “things that can be beaten” – garbage can covers and hubcaps. “The nature of what we do, basically, is folk and traditional music, a lot of original music, a lot of humour,” he said. The group’s current tour will be its last – as Blackmore said 36 years is a long time – and will feature a collection of its best material. “Part of the reason [is] we’re getting older,” Blackmore said. “We’ve been doing it a long, long time. We decided we didn’t want to travel. It’s getting more difficult to travel…but we do love performing.” According to Blackmore, each member of the group – himself, Ray Johnson, Wayne Chaulk and Byron Pardy – bring a different specialty to the stage. Johnson adds a deep repertoire of Newfoundland music to the group, while balladeer and folk songwriter Chaulk contributes humour. Blackmore specializes in the comedic side of things, as well, and bass player Pardy is also a magnificent stage technician. Blackmore said he anticipates the upcoming Airdrie show – which is already sold out – will provide a good audience. Buddy Wasisname and the Other Fellers have performed in Airdrie before, including once during Bert Church Theatre’s inaugural season in 1988. Blackmore recalled the performance, back when Airdrie was a much smaller community. “The idea back at that time was an awful lot of Newfoundlanders had settled into Airdrie,” Blackmore said. “We were able to attract an awful lot of those people who had known us from back home.” While the group hasn’t performed in Airdrie in some time, Blackmore said he’s excited to make one final stop before the group hangs up its touring hats. “This is kind of like going full circle for us,” Blackmore said. “One last show at the Bert Church.”
