Past Front Page Pistol News
MERRY
CHRISTMAS from the Pistols!
December Newsletter-
2007
Regina, SK - A very
Merry Christmas to all of our friends and colleagues. We had a great year,
and are now eagerly awaiting February 10th in Los Angeles. The Western
Senators, which is a group several of the TexPistols work with, have garnered a grammy nomination in the Polka Album
category...that's field 17, category 76, number 4, if you are keeping track.
The whole group is going to LA for Grammy week. For those of you who are
unaware, the Western Senators is the name of our other group. Under
that name, we add two accordion players, Joe Schultz (who has been with the
group since its inception) and Mark Leik, a great player and writer.
In 07 we cut an
album, along with three-time Grammy winner Walter Ostanek, entitled
Dueling Polkas. You can check it out at
www.polkarama.com
On December 6th, we
received the news that we had been nominated. Now we await the final verdict
of the members of NARAS. In the meantime, we are enjoying Christmas with our
families, with New Year's Eve to follow at world famous Danceland, Manitou
Beach.
Have a great holiday
season and an even better 2008!
New Years Plans
Announced.
November Newsletter-2007
Regina, SK - Well,
first off, congratulations to the Roughriders on their first Grey Cup
victory since 1989! Now on to business...it's been a banner year for the Tex
Pistols and we want to thank all of our friends and fans for their continued
support.
Once again, we will
be playing New Year's Eve at Danceland, Manitou Beach, along with the
Senators. Tickets are on sale now...still only 99 bucks a couple for the
best party on the planet. Call 306-946-2743 for tickets.
We are planning on
doing the same as last year...taking the first couple months of 2008 to get
into the studio and work on Buck U Two and several other projects we have on
the go, so that they will all be ready for the coming spring and summer
playing season. Another Eurotour will commence during the first part of
August, and of course, we will be making our annual appearance at the
Calgary Stampede. Details will be available on this site early in the
spring.
That's it for
now...Merry Christmas to everyone and have a great 2008!
TexPistols Make Inaugural Appearance at Norsk Hostfest
October Newsletter- 2007
Minot, ND- Norsk Hostfest was a
huge success, where along with Leah Durelle and the
Western Senators, we got
our first taste of playing for one of the primo music events in North
America. If we have one regret it is that we didn't do this show many years
earlier. This was the 30th annual show, and to say it was a blowout would be
a huge understatement. Over 60,000 people attended this year's show and many
of them went home with CDs...many more continue to order through this
website and through www.polkarama.com
the site of our friends the Western Senators. Special thanks to Janis
Richards...CEO of JR Music and Rich Anhorn of the Hostfest, who were
responsible for us being part of this year's event.
The Senators have two
new videos and one new CD available through their site...check them
out...they are well worth the investment.
From Switzerland to Country Music
Legends Performance.
September Newsletter-
2007
Bern,
Switzerland- Brian Sklar went to Switzerland to work with the countries own Honky-Tonk Pickers. Check out the pics at
www.honkytonkpickers.com . All
three dates were packed with great country music fans, and the band was hot,
hot, hot! Special thanks to all the guys in the band for making me so
welcome and allowing me to perform with them. It was also a hoot to
see our old friend, Britta T at the country festival in Walterswil. She did
a couple of great numbers with the band and brought the house down, as
usual.
Regina, SK-The Legends of Canadian Country
Show was equally wonderful, with appearances by many of the people who built
the country music industry in Canada. The crowd were royally entertained for
over three hours with music and comedy performed the way it was in the days
of the package shows people used to see in local arenas all over Canada and
the US. We are looking forward to participating again next year in Winnipeg.
Next up...Norsk Hostfest in Minot
in October and some dates with the Western Senators to celebrate Oktoberfest
in communities all over Saskatchewan. Check the upcoming dates page for
details...
Pistols to Take off better part of
August for Holidays
August Newsletter- 2007
Well, another Stampede is in the
books, and the Kimberley weekend was stellar. We are taking some time off
this month...Aaron and Lindsey are touring the Maritimes and eastern states.
We have completed the project with Walter Ostanek, due for release in
September.
We went down to Minot to make
preparations for the Hostfest. It's going to be a hoot. We are also
preparing for the Legends of Canadian Country Music Concert in Regina on
September 9th. Two shows, 1:30 and 7:30. Advance tickets are twenty bucks
and are available from the German Club...that's where the show is going to
be. It will include performances by Ray St. Germain, Joyce Smith, Jimmy
Arthur Ordge, Freddie Pelletier, Calvin Vollrath, and of course, the Tex
Pistols. Also performing will be the legendary Smilin' Johnnie and Eleanore
Dahl and there will be a special guest appearance by Tex Emery.
That's it for now. See ya in
September.
TexPistols roll out their Summer Play
Schedule
May Newsletter- 2007
The recording project with our
friend, Walter Ostanek is nearing completion, and the Pistols are back at it
on the performance circuit. We just did a one-nighter on Saturday, the 19th
and it was a blast, to say the least. We are currently preparing for a big
summer, with the Dauphin Countryfest on July 1 and then off to the Stampede
on July 7th, with Black Tie and Blue Jeans on the 8th, three days at
Calgary's Cash Casino, and then to Kimberley, BC on July 13.
In the meantime, we have the SUNTEP
graduation and the Cathedral Village Festival on May 25th...that's right,
the grad from five to eight and the festival from ten to midnight. Then it's
Mosaic Festival time and we will be at the Aborginal Peoples' pavilion on
May 31st, June 1st and 2nd.
The casino gigs at Casinos Moose
Jaw (Mae Wilson Theatre) and Regina, and Club Regent in Winnipeg were all
just great. It was nice to see our friend, Marny Duncan-Cary (and the lovely
and talented Dave Chobot) warming up for the Oak Ridge Boys at Club Regent
the night before we did our show.
That's it for now. See you at the
annual Relay for Life in Wascana Park on June15th. We're on at 8:30...also,
don't forget National Aboriginal Day. We will be at Louis Riel Park at 5
p.m. - that's June 21st.
Brighter Futures for Children & More
April Newsletter- 2007
We had a record crowd at our annual
Brighter Futures For Children Concert here in Regina on the 29th of March.
Thanks to the other entertainers, Jack Semple, Stepchyle, Marny Duncan-Cary
and her very talented young daughter, Sheila Deck, and Bob Evans. Also a big
thank-you to Jamie Lewis of CKRM, who did a fabulous job as our official
host. And we can't forget Doug and Gloria Archer of Knight Archer Insurance,
who took over the responsibility of organizing the event three years ago.
Without them, this surely wouldn't be the success that it has become.
The Buck U project is
now officially launched, after being completed for over a year. Some things
just take time, and the inserts surely did, but they look great! The new
band photo is cool...thanks Bruce Vasselin from Designer Photographic
Technologies in Regina...truly a genious!
Also want to mention
our good friend, Lionel Wendling of Normandy, France, with whom the Sklarman
has performed on many occasions. Lionel just released a killer western swing
album, simply entitled "Western Swing" and it is well worth ordering. E-mail
him at lonestar-music@tiscali.fr
That's it for
now...enjoy the spring and let's get ready for a great summer...
Through the Christmas Season, Looking
forward to a great year!
February Newsletter- 2007
We spent a
couple of days in the studio, working on a new project, and will be
returning for three more days on the long February weekend. The Sklars are
back from holidays in Cuba, and it was great! Some incredible musicians over
there, and the nicest beaches we have seen since the ones we saw in Spain.
Some interesting
stuff coming up for the summer...no details to release yet, but it is
shaping up to be a dandy. We will be returning to the Dauphin Country
Jamboree, and of course to the Stampede, and also the big festival in
Kimberley, BC. More details later in the spring.
We are mourning the
passing of our good friend Jack Crossman, and our friend and colleague,
Doyle Holly. Both were very close friends and both were totally dedicated to
country music, and will be missed by everyone who knew them.
Be sure to catch the
seventh annual Brighter Futures for Children concert at Casino Regina on
March 29th. All the performers donate their time and talent in aid of
Regina's SCEP and Early Learning Centres. Get your tickets from Knight
Archer Insurance, the SCEP or Early Learning Centres or the Casino Regina
box office. See ya there!
Euro Tour
Ends...(Click Here to See Pictures from
Eurotour2006)
Late August Newsletter- 2006
The 2006 Tex
Pistols tour of Europe is now in the books, and what a great tour it was!
Special thanks to all of the folks who organized the shows the Pistols
played, and also to the fans who packed the halls and festival grounds, rain
or shine.
The sun came
out for the last five days of the tour and the show in Munzbach was a
fitting way to wrap up EuroTour '06.
Kees De Haan
did a great job of organizing the itinerary, lining up ground
transportation, accommodations for days off, and just making sure that the
whole tour came off without a hitch.
The Pistols
have a total of about nine gigs of pics and video, which will be uploaded to
this site as soon as time permits.
Planning is
already beginning for EuroTour '07, and over the next few weeks, the Pistols
will send out promised e-mails to the couple of hundred fans and friends who
requested pics taken on the tour.
Now, it's on
to Casinos Moose Jaw and Regina with the legendary Ferlin Husky and Leona
Williams...what a Labour Day weekend it will be...and then there's Wayne's
World tailgate party on Sunday the 3rd...and the shuffle beat goes on...
Euro Update!!!
Early August Newsletter- 2006
The Tex
Pistols are halfway through the 06 tour, and it has been memorable, to say
the least. Although it has rained everywhere, the crowds have been great, and nobody lets a
little rain spoil a good party.
The
festivals at Fideris in the Swiss Alps, Floralia in Holland (the Tex
Pistols' second appearance there), and Silkeborg in Denmark were all huge
successes. New pics to be added, both stills and movies as soon as the band
gets back home...
Today, the
TPs head back to Gouda in Holland for a couple of days, then to Munich and
the famous Oklahoma and Rattlesnake Saloons...then off to the festival in
Munzbach Austria.
Special
thanks to all the radio people who have interviewed the band and picked up
music to spin on their radio shows, and to their many friends and fans who
have travelled from as far away as the Canary Islands to take in Tex Pistols
shows.
By the way,
Wayne is still looking for number 19!
Another
Great Calgary Stampede!
July Newsletter- 2006
Calgary, AB -
Stampede 2006 was another barn burner, and the Tex Pistols want to thank the
thousands of people who attended events where we performed. The St. Louis
was packed every day for lunch, the Cash Casino was a hoot, as usual...Jeff
Knight's party at the Cadillac Ranch was the biggest ever, and we set a new
record at Black Tie and Blue Jeans...175 thousand dollars for Dreams Take
Flight!
Congratulations to
Lucille, Earl, John and all the volunteers who made the Black Tie and Blue
Jeans show such a smash. Special thanks to Hot Rod Harriet of Country 105 in
Calgary, who did a stellar job of hosting the event. Plans are now underway
for Black Tie 2007. The event sells out every year before the end of
January, and there is a long waiting list for tickets, so get yours early.
Special thanks to
Morris, Myna and all the staff at the St. Louis. See ya in '07!
Release of
"Buck U" set for August 5th
May-June Newsletter-
2006
Regina, SK - When Buck Owens died on March 26th of this year, we were
really disappointed at the lack of attention his passing generated. After
all, Buck had totally changed the face of country music in the sixties and
seventies and we felt that he deserved at least as much attention as the
late Johnny Cash...who we also admired and respected.
So we went into the
studio and started cutting tracks...tunes that we had either done or wanted
to do for a long time. When we hit seventeen, we figured maybe that would be
enough for a great West Coast Country album. Since then, we have come up
with at least another twenty or so tunes that we wish we could have
included...guess that'll be volume two.
Anyway, the name of
the new project is "Buck U - Class of '60" - a collection which includes
tunes by Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, Wynn Stewart and some artists who could
have qualified as West Coasters. We're proud of the project, which features
most of the same players we assembled for the "AAIIEE!!" project two years
ago.
We will be releasing
the project in Europe on August 5th at the Fideris Festival in Switzerland.
A North American release date will come later on, sometime in the fall. So
all of you West Coast Country freaks, get ready for this one. We're
graduates of the University of Buck Owens - Buck U - and proud of it!
Brighter Futures for
Children (Click
Here to See Pictures from the Fundraiser)
March-April Newsletter-
2005
Regina, SK - The Tex Pistols were once again proud to
participate in the sixth annual Brighter Futures For Children fundraiser at
Casino Regina's Show Lounge. The show, held on April 6th, also featured Jack
Semple, Rory Allen, the Poverty Plainsmen, and Carmen Moerike's Friends and
Neighbors.
All of the
entertainers (who played to a packed house) are members of the Regina
Musicians Association, and all donated their time and talent to raise funds
for the SCEP Centre, and the Regina Early Learning Centre. Both
organizations provide help for kids with behavioral and learning
disabilities.
The Pistols' Brian Sklar is a member of the board of the Regina Musicians
Association, Local 446 AFM, who launched the project six years ago. Two
years ago the show moved to Casino Regina, and Doug and Gloria Archer of
Knight Archer Insurance came on as a platinum sponsor and partner, along
with Greg Gusway of Impulse Advertising.
This year's event raised over thirty thousand dollars, with every penny
going directly to the two kids' centres.
Click on the link at the top of this story to see some pics from the
night of the event.
Canadians Invade
Texas!!! (click
here to see pictures from the convention)
February Newsletter-
2005
Dallas
TX - It was everything we expected it would be, and more! It has been a
couple of years since we appeared at the Texas Steel Guitar Show and
Convention. This year, once again, we were guests of the Carter Steel
Guitar Company, and once again, the Carter suite was where the action
was.
We were lucky
to be joined by Grand North American Fiddle champ Calvin Vollrath and
Houston super-picker Randy Corner. There were a minimum of two steels
and two fiddles on stage at all times, and the shuffles just kept on
rolling.
In addition to our shows in the Carter suite, we also performed on the
main stage right after the awards show on Saturday afternoon, to a full
house, and also at Pearl's, a legendary Texas honky-tonk dance hall and
saloon at the Fort Worth Stockyards. On Sunday, we appeared on the Joe
Bielinski show on KTFW radio, also heard on the Web at Country Gold
Radio.com
After four solid days of great country and swing music, lots of great
Mexican food and bar-b-cue, and of course that famous Texas hospitality,
it was hard to give it all up to come back to the frozen North. Check
out the pictures here.
Next stop, Tucson on Easter weekend...
Meantime, check out some pics and music samples from the
2004 TSGA Convention.
Christmas Time's A
Coming
December Newsletter-
2005
Debden,
SK - Last Saturday the Texpistols played a corporate Christmas party in
Debden to a crowd of 200 area residents of all ages. After the show, some of
the Pistols had their photo taken with some of the local students. With the
exception of the upcoming new year's celebration at Manitou's Danceland,
this performance ends a busy playing schedule that began in September. Over
the next couple months the Pistols plan on spending time with their
families, enjoying the Christmas holidays, and reconnecting with old
friends.
Oktoberfest- Ein Prosit!
Click here to
see the pictures
September Newsletter-
2005
Winnipeg MN- Winnipeg
Oktoberfest students nights packed to capacity! Tex Pistols play to more
than 12,000 over two consecutive students' nights at Winnipeg
Convention Centre. It was a great time with bratwurst, schnitzel, and
Micheal Heitmann!
Opry Comes North
Click here to see the pictures
September Newsletter-
2005
Regina, SK- Grand Ole Opry at Casino Regina, an unqualified smash!! Jim Ed
Brown, Jeanie Seeley, Fred Peltier, and the Tex Pistols came together to
entertain the music fans in Regina with a good dose of traditional country
music.
The Labour Day Classic and
Wayne's World
Click
here to see the pictures
September Newsletter-
2005
Regina, SK- The Wayne's World Tailgate Party was
packed to the max !! ... and the Riders win big!! What a weekend!!! The
Winnipeg fans poured off the buses and partied on the Kuntz estate until
about a half-hour before kick-off. Rider President Jim Hopson brought
greetings, welcoming the Bomber fans and firing up the Rider fans. Everybody
had a great time...plans are in the works for the 2006 event.
Summer is Winding Down...Fall is Cranking up.
July Newsletter- 2005
Regina, SK - The
Summer Games, Lady Lake Jamboree, the Sergeant at Arms conference...what a
great two weeks! The line-up at the Tipi Village, located on the grounds at
the First Nations University of Canada in Regina, was stellar, featuring the
Lone Creek Singers, numerous First Nations dancers, Inuit throat singers
Jenny Ell and Diane Pfeifer, the Pelletiers, the Riel Reelers, Shaqhawey,
fiddler Alex Strongarm, Erroll Kinistino (Leon from North of 60), and
numerous other great entertainers. There were 18 tipis set up around the
perimeter of the grounds, featuring First Nations and Metis artisans and
crafters, and lots of good food. Performances ran from 4:30 to 9 every day,
ending with a round dance at dusk.
Lady Lake, SK- The Lady Lake
Jamboree featured singers, fiddlers and a stage band organized by country
singer Lorne Thompson, which included Don Anaquod on guitar, AAron Sklar on
drums, Wayne Kuntz on bass, and Brian Sklar on keys and fiddle. Lady Lake is
like a miniature LaRonge...little islands everywhere. It's just a few
kilometers from Preeceville. The music was great, and so was the homemade
bread, baked in a clay oven. The show went from ten in the morning until
nine at night. What a great day!
Regina, SK- On August 11th, we
entertained Sergeants at Arms from legislatures and parliaments across
Canada and the UK. Merv's Pitchfork Fondue was great, as usual, and the
conventioneers raised a little hell in the red barn at Sherwood Forest. We
had a great time, and judging by the reaction of the group, so did they.
Regina, SK- It's been a great
summer...now on to the fall, starting with the Grand Ol Opry show at Casino
Regina with Jim Ed Brown and Jeannie Seely. Tickets on sale now. See
ya there!
Calgary
Stampede 2005...Best Ever
July Newsletter- 2005
Calgary, AB-
The Tex Pistols played to capacity crowds at all Stampede events this year.
Highlights included opening day at the St. Louis, where again two pipe bands
showed up to perform for the overflow crowd, which began forming outside the
hotel at eight in the morning. Stampede legend George Stephenson once again
called the indoor horse races, and the crowd consumed huge amounts of St.
Louis ribs, chicken and broasted potatoes, not to mention gallons of cold
beer! As usual, Morris Blitt and his great staff treated us and all Stampede
goers to the best party in town.
On Saturday, the 9th,
the band played the annual Cadillac Ranch Stampede party at Jeff and Darlene
Knight's Cadillac Ranch in Turner Valley, then Brian, Rob, and Wayne got up
at six Sunday morning and played for the Stampede marathon.
Sunday night saw the
eleventh annual Black Tie and Blue Jeans fundraiser at the Westin Hotel in
support of Dreams Take Flight. Again, we set a new fundraising record and
126 kids will take a dream trip to Disneyland on October 19th as a result.
Also appearing on the show were Jerry Unusual and Jason McCoy, and the
Stampede Queen and Princesses.
On Thursday morning,
the Pistols played the Calgary Downtown Progess Club's annual Doggie-Do
breakfast at the Westin. As usual, the place was standing room only. This
was Brian Sklar's35th appearance at the function...it was also his 35th
consecutive Calgary Stampede.
To wind up the week,
the band played the Calgary Cash Casino, one of our favourite places. The
crowd loves real country music, and the management and staff treat us like
royalty. Always a pleasure.
If you're heading for
Calgary, check out 1060 Radio...they've gone pure country...sounds like CFAC
when it was THE country station in western Canada. Some of the CFAC
personalities are doing shifts at the new station. What a treat to finally
have a country music radio station in Calgary again.
Special thanks to
Morris Blitt and the staff at the St. Louis. We are looking forward to
returning next year. Congratulations to Earl, Lucille, Ladd, and our friend
John on another stellar year for Dreams Take Flight. See you all in 2006!
Skjak Show
one to Remember!!
Click Here to See the
Pictures
July Newsletter- 2005
Oslo, Norway- Saturday,
July 2nd...actually, early morning, Sunday July 3rd at 12:45, the sky was
still bright, as the Tex Pistols took to the stage at the Skjak Country
Festival in the Norweigian mountains. Alf and the gang sure know how to
throw a party! The crowd was big, loud, and wonderful to perform for.
The Pistols played
until 2:15 a.m., closing the 2005 show, which also featured Canadian
fiddling queen Kelli Trottier, the Dutch country group Cash on Delivery
(friends of the Pistols for many years), and an assortment of great country,
bluegrass and rock-a-billy bands from all over Europe.
Highlights included a
great bluegrass group from the Czech Republic, and an outstanding rock-a-billy
group from the Netherlands, as well as many great Norweigian bands. The
locals really support their fellow countrymen, and many of the biggest
rounds of applause went to local Norweigian bands, all of whom were very
enjoyable.
This is one of the
best festivals the Pistols have had the pleasure of performing at. In
addition to performing, the group was treated to a day at Geiranger Fjord,
one of the most breathtaking places on earth. The trip from Skjak to
Geiranger took about two hours. The temperature in Skjak was about 28
degrees, celsius, and in Geiranger about 32 degrees. At the top of the
mountain pass, on the way to Geiranger, there are still six-foot snow drifts
and frozen lakes, where the band stopped to have a snowball fight...great
pictures to come.
The Tex Pistols want
to thank the organizers of the Skjak Country Festival for their hospitality;
especially Agnar and Frank, who took such good care of us. We look
forward to returning real soon!!
Calgary
Stampede Number 35!!
July News Letter- 2005
Calgary AB- The Tex
Pistols are off to the Calgary Stampede for the 35th consecutive year! The
Pistols open at 11 a.m. on Friday, just after the parade, at Ralph Klein's
watering hole, the world famous St. Louis Hotel. Performances start every
weekday at eleven, and at one in the afternoon on Saturdays.
In addition to the
St. Louis gig, the Pistols will be performing at Jeff Knight's Cadillac
Ranch in Turner Valley on Saturday, July 9th and at the Dreams Take Flight
Black Tie and Blue Jeans cabaret on Sunday, June 10th at the Westin Hotel.
This year's show will again include performances by Jerry Unusual, as well
as a guest appearance by Jason McCoy. The event has been sold out since
February, and we are hoping to top last year's take of over $140,000...money
used to take terminally ill, underprivileged and children at risk to
Disneyland. So far, over 1200 kids have had the Disneyland experience over
the 10-year life of "Dreams", and we are hoping to top last year's figure,
with over 800 silent auction items up for bid. We also have an acoustic
guitar, signed by the entire Grand Ole Opry cast, and donated by Opry Star
Jean Shepard, an old friend of the Calgary chapter of Dreams Take Flight.
On Thursday, July
14th, the Pistols will play the annual Doggie-Do breakfast for the Downtown
Progress Club, at the Westin. Then to wrap up, two performances, Friday and
Saturday, July 15 and 16 at the Calgary Cash Casino...three shows a night,
starting at 9.
See you at the
Greatest Outdoor (and indoor) Show on Earth...the Calgary Stampede...yeehaw!!!
Tex Pistols off to
Norway!!
The June News Letter- 2004
Regina SK- The Tex
Pistols will be headlining the Saturday performance at the country festival
in Skjak, Norway on July 2, 2005. This year, super steelmen Billy Phelps and
Rob Anderson will join Brian and Aaron Sklar and Wayne Kuntz for this show
and the Calgary Stampede. This will mark the first time the Tex Pistols have
featured twin steels and twin guitars. Talk about a blast!
Jiggin' for Her
Majesty!!
The May News Letter- 2004
Lumsden,
SK -
Two of the Tex Pistols had the
pleasure of performing for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on May 18th.
Pistols Brian Sklar and Wayne Kuntz, plus old Billy Young, provided the
musical accompaniment for the World Famous Riel Reelers, who performed three
dances at a special Gala luncheon in her Majesty's honour. This historic
performance marks the second time the LaRocque family has performed for
royalty. In 1939, their grandparents danced for King George VI and Queen
Elizabeth I at Regina's Hotel Saskatchewan.
After Wednesday's performance,
Queen Elizabeth approached Karen LaRocque, congratulating her on the group's
stellar performance, and hearing details of the first LaRocque royal
performance, which happened 13 years before the current Monarch's
coronation.
The crowd at the
luncheon included WW II Vets, members of the federal, provincial and
municipal governments, business leaders, and of course, literally hundreds
of media from both Canada and the UK.
The Pistols will
again perform with the Riel Reelers on National Aboriginal Day, June 21st,
at Louis Riel Park in Regina. This time the whole group will perform their
own material, as well as the Red River Jig and other tunes for the dancers.
Casino Dates --
Sold Out --
The February News Letter- 2005
Regina
SK- They were two nights to remember...the Legends of the Grand Ole Opry,
Jean Shepard and Stonewall Jackson, with Saskatchewan's own Brian Sklar
and the Tex Pistols, at Casino Moose Jaw on Friday, January 7th and
Casino Regina on Saturday, January 8th.
Brian
Sklar and the Tex Pistols opened the night with a 5-song set, including
their signature opener "Big Mammou" and AAron's original "What If" from
the Pistols' AAIIEE!! album. AAron added his version of the Ray Price
classic "Different Kind of Flower" and Dave did his bang on
impersonations of some of the Opry's greatest legends. The Pistols ended
their opening segment with "Old Slewfoot" and then introduced Stonewall
Jackson, who gave a stellar 40-minute performance, which included many
of his hit songs, as well as some great homespun humor. The crowd,
ranging in age from early twenties to late seventies, sang along to
songs like "Don't Be Angry" and "Waterloo" and gave the revered
performed two standing ovations.
Part two
of the show featured the Grand Lady of the Grand Ole Opry, Jean Shepard,
who delivered her usual impeccable performance. Shepard's delivery,
still crystal clear and deadly accurate in her 49th year as a member of
the Grand Ole Opry, brought the crowd to their feet several times. A
video clip of the Grande Dame on Hee Haw, circa 1970, followed by a live
performance of the song from the clip...the Shepard chart-topper "Slippin'
Away"...was a real crowd pleaser.
Both
Opry artists sold out of CDs minutes after their performances, a pretty
good indication that the folks were impressed by the quality and
sincerity of what they had just seen on stage.
Both
Moose Jaw and Regina shows were standing room only...watch for other
Legends of the Opry shows soon!
Plans Underway for "Brighter Futures for Children" Concert
The January Newsletter- 2005
Regina SK- For the fifth consecutive year, Brian Sklar and the Tex
Pistols will anchor a fundraising
concert event to raise funds for children in Regina. The concert will
take place at Casino Regina on Sunday, February 20th and will also
feature Jack Semple, Marny Duncan-Cary, the Bob Moyer Big Band and Pat
Steele, the Western Senators, La Raquette a Claquette, Carmen Moerike,
Skin and Bone, and several other acts, yet to be confirmed. All of the
acts will be appearing free of charge, with all money from the gate and
giant silent auction going to Regina's SCEP Centre and the Early
Learning Centre. More details to come...
Tex
Pistols to Appear on CTV National Morning Show
The December Newsletter- 2004
Regina SK- The Tex
Pistols will appear on the CTV's weekend network morning show sometime in
the first two months of 2005. Taping of the Pistols' segment is slated for
January 8 at Regina's CKCK Television, which will be hosting the show
during January and February and which this year is celebrating 50 years of
broadcasting excellence in the southern Saskatchewan market. CKCK was one of
four CTV stations in the province which was involved in the award-winning
series Number One West, starring Brian Sklar and the Prairie Fire Band from
1986 to 1993. Watch this space for play dates, which will be posted as soon
as they are available.
Jean Shepard,
Stonewall Jackson, and the Tex Pistols at Casino Moose Jaw/Casino Regina
The December Newsletter-
2004
Don't miss the Grand
Ole Opry this weekend at Casino Moose Jaw and Casino Regina! Grand Ole Opry
legends Jean Shepard and Stonewall Jackson join the Tex Pistols on stage for
a full two-hour performance in Moose Jaw on Friday, January 7 and Regina on
Saturday, January 8.
Call the Casino
Regina box office for tickets at 565-3000 for tickets. At $20, this is the
entertainment deal of the year! Both of the stars will be doing a full
45-minute performance, with the Tex Pistols opening and backing up the
legends...what a way to kick off 2005!
New Year's
Appearance at Manitou Beach's Historic Danceland
The December Newsletter- 2004
Watrous SK- The Tex
Pistols join the Western Senators for the ultimate New Year's Eve
celebration! Welcome Saskatchewan's second century with a great meal,
champagne, party favours, a mid-night lunch and award-winning music by
Canada's premier polka band and Canada's premier western swing band. And
yes, Senators fans, Joe Schultz will be joining Mark Leik on stage at
Canada's last great dance venue for this event. The cost is only 99 bucks a
couple, and tickets are available at 1-800-267-5037.
"Together
Again" Concert a Huge Success!!
The November Newsletter-
2004
Regina SK- The
"Together Again" reunion show, featuring Brian Sklar, Donnie Parenteau and
Freddie and Sheila Pelletier in Birch Hills on Sunday December 9th was
nothing short of phenomenal! Despite a snowstorm and the coldest temperature
of the year, over 300 people crammed into the Birch Hills school to take in
some real country music and humour as Sklar, the Pelletiers and Parenteau
ran the gamut from world class acoustic picking and singing by the
Pelletiers to hot offerings by Donnie and his band and standards by the
Sklarman.
There were plenty of
road stories, good natured give and take by the three guys, who worked
together on the CTV Series Number One West throughout the 80s and early 90s.
Sklar and Pelletier recounted stories from their early years in the music
business, much to the delight of the crowd, which included people from all
over Saskatchewan.
Special thanks to
Sheila Pelletier for handling press releases, generally organizing the event
and for her usual great performance as a vocalist and musician. Also a huge
thank-you to Donnie's crew - Blaine Yandt, Craig Williams, and Boyd
Faulconer, who proved they can handle damn near any kind of musical
challenge...no rehearsal necessary!
Plans are in
the hopper for a return engagement in 2005. Stay tuned...
Aaron Goes
to Disneyland With Dreams Take Flight
The week of October 23rd to
October 30th- 2004
Last Wednesday, Aaron
Sklar flew to Los Angeles with 210 children from the Calgary area. Aaron was
asked to make the flight as a guest chaperone after contributing his time to
the Black Tie and Blue Jeans fundraiser for over a decade now.
Despite the rainy weather, Aaron had a wonderful time with his little
buddies, Austin and Kevin. This years Black Tie and Blue Jeans event
will be held on the first Sunday of the Calgary Stampede (July 10th). Hope
to see you there.
Linda Merk
Fundraiser Smashing Success
The week of October 24th to October 30th- 2004
Regina SK- Last
Friday night the Texpistols played a fundraiser that would enable Linda Merk
to have her court case heard before the Supreme Court of Canada. Over 300
people were in attendance and all had a wonderful time. In the silent
auction, people were able to bid on entire golf sets to art work donated by
several artists. Also found in the silent auction was a panoramic photo of
the Columbia Drainage Basin (60" x 9") taken on Aaron Sklar's mountaineering
expedition and a dry mounted boxing poster autographed by Eric "Butterbean"
Esch that was acquired by the Texpistols when they played Oktoberfest in
Winnipeg last month.
Tex Pistols to
play fundraiser for Linda Merk
The week of October 16th to October 23rd- 2004
Regina
SK- Linda Merk is one of the first people in Canada to ever exercise her
rights under the Federal Government's whistle blowing legislation. Few
cases submitted to the Supreme Court are accepted to be heard. In order
to attend the trial and pay for court costs, the Friends for Justice
Committee has organized a fundraiser.
The
fundraiser will be held Oct.22 at the Italian Club in Regina,
Saskatchewan. In addition to Brian, Aaron, and Wayne of the Tex Pistols,
several other musicians from the Regina Musicians Association (local 446
AFM) will perform. There will also be a silent auction and other
'surprises' in store for all those in attendance. Proceeds will go
toward paying court expenses. If you would like to purchase tickets or
make a donation, contact us through this website and we will put you in
contact with the organizing committee.