Back to back sell out shows in Alberta for Washboard Union with Nice Horse as support. #WeLoveLive #CountryMusic in #Alberta, especially when they’re from the West!

Local Albertan all female group Nice Horse completely entertained the capacity crowd at the Shell Theatre in Ft. Saskatchewan last night as opening act for the Washboard Union.  Their high energy and fun on stage was infectious and really got the crowd pumped for the headliner.

Nice Horse, Shell Theatre, PhotoByEGO

Nice Horse, Shell Theatre, PhotoByEGO

Nice Horse, Shell Theatre, PhotoByEGO

Nice Horse, Shell Theatre, PhotoByEGO

Nice Horse, Shell Theatre, PhotoByEGO

Nice Horse, Shell Theatre, PhotoByEGO

 

Tuesday night was Camrose and Wednesday night was Ft Saskatchewan. They did a survey of the capacity crowd and for most, it was there first time seeing Washboard Union live. Popularity for these BC natives has been skyrocketing over the past few years and numerous awards from both Canada’s and BC’s Country Music Associations keeps adding fuel to the fire!

Did you know that 840 CFCW radio in Alberta (and the local promotor for these shows) was the first station to ever play Washboard Union on the air?

Washboard Union, Shell Theatre, PhotoByEGO

 

They offered up a lot of stories on their history, writing songs, their favorite songs, bands, experiences, took a few lighthearted jabs at each other and even served up a good dose of love and gratitude that they were in each other’s lives.  “We met when my dad started dating his mom!” Dunner explained about his future step-brother Aaron … at 13 years old, they quickly discovered they had a mutual love of music and six months later ended up writing their first song together … and the rest is history …

 

 

Washboard Union, Shell Theatre, PhotoByEGO

 

When the two moved to Vancouver together years later, they “stole” David Roberts from another band and started performing together.

Washboard Union, Shell Theatre, PhotoByEGO

Washboard Union, Shell Theatre, PhotoByEGO

Washboard Union, Shell Theatre, PhotoByEGO

 

The show was split into 2 sets with a full intermission in between … it allowed all the fans that weren’t able to get a chance in between acts to meet Nice Horse and stretch their legs … in all it was almost 3 hours of music!

At one of the manly points in which the band engaged with the audience, Aaron jumped off stage to hand a young fan a guitar pick and stayed a few extra moments to she could strum the guitar.  Then took a few more moments to dig out guitar picks from his pocket to give to the other kids along the first row.

Washboard Union, Shell Theatre, PhotoByEGO

 

 

Leading into the encore meant bringing Nice Horse back on stage to perform a song … with the audience’s help as well.

Washboard Union + Nice Horse, Shell Theatre, PhotoByEGO

 

… and Brandi was given a quick 101 lesson in playing the Washboard!

Washboard Union + Nice Horse, Shell Theatre, PhotoByEGO

 

Washboard Union, Shell Theatre, PhotoByEGO

Washboard Union, Shell Theatre, PhotoByEGO

 

Capturing images of all 3 members of Washboard Union during a set is near impossible … they fully utilize the entire stage and rarely the same place at the same time … and even when a couple of them are in proximity it’s never for long!  Fortunately, wrapping up the night harmonizing to a cover of The Eagles meant they temporarily stood still long enough to share a microphone.

Washboard Union, Shell Theatre, PhotoByEGO

Washboard Union, Shell Theatre, PhotoByEGO