The great part about music is not only who you play it for but also who you make it with. Here are a few good friends who have assisted us greatly over the years and we would like to acknowledge them and recommend them highly to any other musicians as accompanists and friends.
Don Olds has been playing folk and country music since his teens in
Manitoba and now from his "International Base" in Hope, BC. He enjoys playing
fiddle, banjo, bass guitar, button accordion (not all at once!) with the Central Fraser
Valley Fiddlers as well as with his friends the McGregor Family, "The Squeezetones"
and any other interested groups. His motto is "Available and Affordable". Don is a
sought after professional Em Cee and has enjoyed Em Cee'ing Fiddle Contests at
Abbotsford, Kamloops and Duncan. He is a perennial favourite at the local extended
care units and seniors homes.
Don provided back up on the McGregor Family CD 4th Generation and his guitar and
bass work was solid and professional and made the CD unique, distinct and fun. Don
is also a co-founder of the Pacific Fiddle College which takes place in Hope, BC annually at
spring break in March. Depending on their schedules, quite a number of the best fiddlers in Canada like Calvin Vollrath, John Arcand, Patti Lamoureux and the Cleavers teach at the College and a good
deal of fun is had by all!
Don is a dedicated granfather and enjoyes travelling across Canada and the USA with his
lovely wife Joyce. Finally, Don's best quality is his friendship which is a gift he gives
freely and only to those who deserve it - and he has many many friends. We are proud to number ourselves among his
legion of friends!
Alice is a phenomenal piano player and one of the best chorders in the business.
She is a rock solid steady rythym piano player from Abbotsford who accompanies most
fiddlers at fiddle contests in the province and in other provinces including the fiddlers
at the prestigious Canadian Grandmasters and Pembroke - Ontario - Fiddle Contests. She is much sought after piano teacher at fiddle camps
and in her home town. She is the most charming, competent and
pleasant person we have ever worked with. She provided piano back up on all the CD's
that the McGregors have produced and her friendship and contribution is greatly valued.
Gwyneth is a classical violin who teaches at the Chilliwack Academy of Music. She
teaches Nichole and Angela currently. Her skill set is particulary suited to the beginning violinist or
fiddler because she is particularly kind, patient and understanding. She also taught Chris and Patrick 10 years ago
proving that a fiddler can be immensely assisted by studing the rigours of the Royal Conservatory
of Music Syllabus. Gywneth taught introductory fiddle at the annual Pacific Fiddle College
in Hope BC for the last 3 years and did a great job of teaching beginning fiddlers some of whom
had never picked up a fiddle until they arrived at the College. Gwyneth also plays the viola
with the Chilliwack Symphony Orchestra and has played and taught the penny whistle and
recorder for many years. A truly talented and beautiful soul.
Nilan is a guitar player "par excellance". One of the best on the West Coast! He is a consummate
professional who is a terrific team player whose personal objective is to get the best sound possible in any project
he is associated with. He has backed up many groups in the Celtic and Fiddle world in live and recorded performances
and has has played with groups like the McGregor Family and the Sabir Family. Nilan teaches guitar not only at his company
in Langley, The Langley Music Connection, but also at many national guitar workshops in the USA and
Canada. Truly an awesome professional guitar player who also happens to be a nice guy with a great sense
of humour!
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