CRAVEN - For a second year, SaskMusic collaborated with Country Thunder Music Festival on the presentation of a showcase July 12-14.
Twelve artists from Saskatchewan participated in the Saskatchewan Songwriters Showcase, which offered a moment close to the public under a tent on the Main Street of the festival. The songwriters showcased Tenille Arts, Quinton Blair, Jarrid Lee, Chris Henderson, Jeffery Straker, Eli Barsi, Teagan Littlechief, Brody Siebert, Mark Smith, Morgan Robertson, Kendra Kay and Conor Cassidy.
It was also an opportunity for the artists to share with each other.
''I was just at Saskatoon Jazz festival a few days ago and it was over 40 degrees, so this feels like a freezer,” said folk/roots singer-songwriter from Punnichy, Jeffery Straker, regarding the heat under the tent on July 13.
Festival-goers were able to learn about each artist's creative process and the backstories of some of their songs in this 90-minute solo or duo show.
Recurring themes: love, heartache and broken hearts.
“I like showcases,” said country music singer Kendra Kay. “In big shows there isn't this proximity and we don't have time to tell the story of the creative process behind our songs. It’s a great opportunity.”
Several touching moments took place, including the one where Chris Henderson, country musician born in Estevan and two-time SCMA Male Artist of the Year, shared one of the songs he wrote.
Eli Barsi, an Americana artist from Kennedy, singer, songwriter, musician and yodeler was accompanied by her husband on guitar. “People often ask us if we are married,” she told the crowd, “and my husband tells them yes, to each other!”
Saskatchewan singer/songwriters were invited to submit for spots by SaskMusic. The primary genres selected for the event were country, folk and bluegrass, but artists from other genres were also invited to submit if their songs could be presented in a stripped-down, singer/songwriter format.
