Coast Mountain News Thursday, July 31, 2014
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Serving the Bella Coola Valley and the Chilcotin
Braden Tallio brings home bronze medal in Indigenous Games
CoastMountainNews.com
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Vol. 30 | No. 15 Thursday, July 31, 2014
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Michael Wigle photo
Local fiddlers filled the stage with a Community Concert on Sunday morning.
15th Annual Bella Coola Music Festival rocks the Valley BY EVANGELINE HANUSE The rain did little to dampen the spirits of attendees at the 15th Annual Bella Coola Music Festival. On July 19 and 20, a diverse and talented lineup of artists performed against the striking backdrop of billowing clouds and soaring mountains. The songs of the Nuxalkmc singers and drummers echoed through the crowd on Saturday afternoon, welcoming them to the Valley. MC Al Simmons kept chil-
dren and adults alike entertained with his bag of tricks and peculiar gadgets while comedic MC Howie Miller amused the audience with his wit and irony. Local favourites AKA took the stage as well as the talented duo Rollah and Laina. For the first time, the Music Festival was broadcast live on Nuxalk Radio 91.1 FM and the sounds of the Festival could be heard through the Valley. It was an exciting collaboration for both parties and they plan
to repeat it every year from now on. Don Amero, a Métis artist from Winnipeg impressed the audience with his soulful yet upbeat musical style. While singing ‘Turn These Grey Skies Blue’ the sun literally broke through the clouds providing relief from the downpour. His message of inspiring his listeners to do well in life and follow one’s own path comes from his ability to thrive despite seeing the struggle of those around him.
With four albums released, including Heart On My Sleeve, The Long Way Home, Deepening and Change Your Life, Amero has been touring across Canada for the past 6 years. The success of his career has earned him numerous awards, including Aboriginal Songwriter and Male Artist of the Year at the 2009 Canadian Folk Music Awards and Male Entertainer of the Year at the 2012 Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards.
The accomplishments Amero has earned are credited to his ability to stay focused on the bigger picture. He also had a trustworthy teacher that he could depend on for help and noted the importance of that experience, “She took me under her wing. People like that become mentors that we need in our lives, especially when our own lives are falling apart,” he explained. “I’m really glad that she was there.” SEE
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