Alberta Country Gospel Oprys is celebrating 30 years of ministry at the Ponoka Stampede this year as they welcome The Elias Family as their special guests.
The Carstairs-based Elias Family will be leading the Cowboy Church Service on Sunday, June 29. Things will kick off with a pancake breakfast beginning at 8, followed by live music at 8:30 a.m.
For both Kevin and Kim Elias, a passion for music stretches back a long time. Kim was part of the well-known Singing Hills family, which performed gospel music clear across the continent for years.
“I was also in a bluegrass band (the Dry River Boys) for a long time, and that is actually how we met — at a festival in Saskatchewan,” said Kevin.
“So both of us have a history of music, and we blended our styles together to have what we do now,” he explained, adding that the couple’s four sons: Skyler, 18; Sam, 16; Sawyer, 12, and Seth, 7, are a part of the group as well.
Kevin recalls having an early start with music, being about eight when he began guitar lessons.
“I always loved being onstage and writing songs, almost as soon as I could play guitar. Then I got into country, then bluegrass, and gospel.
“I also had relatives who were really good musicians, so that was an outlet for me to also be a part of. That helped to spur on my enthusiasm for music, too.”
There’s a profoundly communal aspect to the genre which he loves.
“You can just all stand in an circle and play, so it’s easy in that regard,” he explained. “But in reality, the skills of the musicians are just incredible.
“The amount of energy you can get just by having a jam is amazing. It’s also a communal event in that you get to meet people. All it takes are three or four musicians, and you can have a little kitchen party going on,” he added with a chuckle.
For Kim, her musical foundations have been largely in southern gospel.
“We hit the road (as the Singing Hills) when I was about eight years old. We got a bus, and just did the whole thing! We travelled all over Canada and the U.S. for a lot of years.
“I loved all the different aspects of it when we were doing that as a family. So when Kevin and I met, it was pretty neat to have that musical connection.
“We are also both songwriters — in our bands, we had both written a lot of songs so we were able to collaborate together as well. He also kind of introduced me to bluegrass — he’s an amazing mandolin picker, too. I’m often on the guitar, just trying to keep up to him,” she said.
As the Elias Family band, the sounds dip into bluegrass, country, and the overall charms of a striking, acoustic richness.
“It’s fairly rootsy, and we write a lot of our music,” said Kim. “We love the old hymns, too, especially when we are doing cowboy church-type events. The old hymns are really recognized, and we love them.”
Kevin agreed.
“We always keep our songs hopeful and positive. There are so many people out there not knowing which way to turn, and so if we can shed a positive light into their day, that’s what we feel good about. There are a lot of people needing something like that,” he said.
“For us, it’s not just about being onstage, but also forming those personal connections.”
Kim added that particular aspect of performing is indeed a huge plus.
“I love the people that we get to meet. That’s why we do this.”
Kevin said along with the music, there will be some powerful testimonies shared as well.
Kim noted she will also be sharing a bit about her own background, as her family comes from Six Nations in Ontario.
“I love sharing how Jesus has affected my family — that is so huge — having a whole family turn to the Lord,” she explained.
“It’s a joy to be able to share a good word, to make people smile, and to let music reach people. Sometimes, music can do far more than what words can say alone,” she added.
“I love it. I love to see an audience having a great time. You feel a connection. We get to the end of a concert, and we are all friends now! There is also so much purpose in this. When God can use what we are doing, and it helps somebody out, it’s a pretty great thing to be a part of.”
The Alberta Country Gospel Oprys was established with the help of Glen Thompson, a Christian cowboy from southern Alberta and a group of local musicians. Glen had established other Cowboy Church organizations in southern Alberta and was eager to get a cowboy outreach ministry going in Central Alberta.
In 1995, the Alberta Country Gospel Oprys was formed as a charity so that tax receipts could be issued for donations received.
Since its inception, in this area, thousands of cowboys and cowgirls as well as many visitors and locals, come to the breakfast and Cowboy Church to be fed physically and spiritually.
Find all you need to know about the Ponoka Stampede at Ponoka News.
