BIOGRAPHIES

Lori Paul ~ Vocals

Saint Boniface, suburb of  Winterpeg, is a nice place to be from! A local since her parents moved to the valley in ‘75, Lori is a Sardis Secondary graduate and Chilliwack resident once again after twenty years in the big smoke. “Big thanks go out to my Mom & Dad and to Pat Todd for our happy home. I dedicate my performance tonight to the memory of Dr. Norman Todd, a great healer and a wonderful friend.” I’d like to acknowledge my Sardis teachers Gary Wagner & Patrick Steadman for their kind encouragement early on. Canadian influences from childhood include  Neil Young, Joni Mitchell and The Band. Click here to visit Lori's website.

Bill Fulton ~ Musical Direction & Bass

Born in Vancouver, Bill studied at both Douglas College and Dick Grove’s School of Music but a day spent in front of the piano with his Dad taught him more than the other two combined! Bill is hoping for lots of IPA at the after party. “After many years on the road, I’m really happy to wake up in my own bed in Chilliwack, every morning.” Early Canadian influences include Lighthouse, Edward Bear and Oscar Peterson.

Rick Genge ~ Guitars & Vocals

Native of Kingston, Ontario, Rick studied at the Royal Conservatory of Toronto and enjoys teaching guitar full time in the Chilliwack area to students ranging in age from 8 to 58! Rick would like to dedicate his performance to his Mom, Sylvia. “Thanks to Dad, Charles Genge, for the handmade guitars I’m playing tonight.” Early influences Neil Young, The Guess Who, McKenna Mendelson Mainline and Lighthouse.

Clay Thornton ~ Drums & Percussion

Born in the fifties, now residing in Beautiful BC, Clay currently attends the school of life. His greatest achievement so far? Daughters Fleita and Shay. “Thanks to my family for their support and for the sacrifices they have made, making my music possible. Thanks to Lori for the chance to be a part of this wonderful project and to my first high school band teacher, Mr. Alan Webster, for believing in me”. Early Canadian Musical Influences? Stallion Thumbrock and Mudcrack Rose, Seeds of Time & The Guess Who.

Gary Raddysh ~ Keys ~ Guitar ~ Harmonica & Vocals

Gary’s a Vancouver vintage ‘55 now living here  in the ’wack. Gary attended Caribou Hill High School in Burnaby, UBC Music School and the University of Portland respectively. Gary’s grateful for the opportunity to teach music in the public schools and, at the same time, continue his performance career. “Thanks to my family, for letting me join another band, and thanks to my Mom & Dad.” Early influences include Chilliwack, Valdy, Kim Mitchell and Max Webster.

Jennie Bice ~ Fiddle & Vocals

Born in London, Ontario, Jennie’s family moved to Sault Ste. Marie. As a toddler, they called her ‘Stompin Jennie from the Soo’ because of her penchant for stomping madly to Stompin’ Tom’s “Sudbury Saturday Night” whenever it played.
Now a fiddler, violinist, singer, composer and educator, Jennie’s at home with a number of musical genres including boot-stompin Irish craic, country & eastern, roots, jazz and blues. Resident engineer at Annwyn Studios, Jennie is devoted to musical exploration and artistic inspiration. “Thanks to Lori for inviting me to play...right then, everyone, go out there and make art!” Other early Canadian influences include Brent Titcomb, Don Messer and John Crossman of “Barrage”, Stan Rogers and the McGarrigle Sisters.

Jessica Geisser ~ Technical Director ~  Lighting & Set Designer

This show would not have been possible without the tireless contribution of our Agassiz gal. Jessica graduates this April from the wonderful world of UCFV lighting and design having enjoyed working for the Harrison Festival of the Arts. “Thanks to Ian Fenwick for recommending me and to Lori for taking a chance and hiring me.” Also, many thanks to all those who volunteered their time on this project. (Please see our great big gratitude list for specifics). Early Canadian Musical influences include Raffi and Bryan Adams, interestingly enough.

Lodge Guests:

Mary Lindsay ~ Improvisational Actor
Originally from South Western Ontario, Mary now resides in Chillwack, a nicely transplanted “Nervous Sheep”. Schooled at the famed Second City, in the big TO. Mary can most frequently be heard asking “Where’s the Smoking area?”. She thanks Bill and his large bass. Early Canadian Comedic influences include Father Max and Brother John. Mary wins the prize for contributing the most comprehensive yet succinct bio notes, a contest Lori was having secretly, in her own mind.    

Gerald Charlie ~ Blues Singer ~ Songwriter & Guitarist  
Gerald was born on the Scowlitz Reserve, right at home in Harrison Mills where the Harrison River meets the Mighty Fraser. A self-taught blues guitarist and singer, Gerald is an award-winning songwriter whose first album “Black Owl Blues” was voted Best Blues Debut Recording by Real Blues Magazine. Gerald’s new release features some of Vancouver’s hottest blues players playing 14 songs written by Gerald. “In the early days we listened to a small transistor radio my Mom had tuned to CHWK” Early influences came to Gerald through a jazz radio station. We’re thrilled to have Gerald on stage with us tonight! Support this local hero by picking up a CD in the lobby on your way out and be sure to Visit Gerald’s website for upcoming gigs at   http://members.shaw.ca/robertscrivens 

Vicki Grieve ~ Poet  
Vancouver native via Nelson, Cranbrook and Prince George, Vicki now lives in Chilliwack and teaches here at UCFV. A recent grad of the writer’s program at SFU, Vicki’s work has been featured in anthologies “The Air We Breathe” and “Down In the Valley” respectively. No stranger to theatre, Vicki’s poems were adapted for the stage in “Penelope Couldn’t Have Phone Sex” which premiered last year. “My thanks and love to my family for their unconditional support and collective sense of humor.” We at the lodge love our poets and hope you’ll make a point of looking out for Vicki’s upcoming work.

/up