Strathmore Musical Arts Society rocks it into 2016

Miriam Ostermann
Times Associate Editor

 

Ever since he was young, 46-year-old Lewis Frere wanted to perform songs played on the radio. When he was 15 years old, his mother and four other siblings formed the Frere band, and since then he’s been involved in a number of country, rock ‘n roll, blue grass and folk bands. Performing in the Strathmore Musical Arts Society’s first event of the year, the dance band Bottle Rock It – an extension of Frere’s family rock ‘n roll country band – is expecting to bring the audience to their feet with old time rock ‘n roll popular hits covers such as Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd and Runaway by Del Shannon.
“I’ve been kind of a country rocker ever since I was younger, and when I got to Rosebud in my early 20s I got into the bluegrass and the folk,” said Frere, who has performed at six different locations in Strathmore previously.
“I’m looking forward to a good turnout and for people to dance. This band, Bottle Rock It is more of a dance band because we’re playing all cover tunes.”
The four-piece band is primarily country and rock and performed at the 15 Minutes of Fame festival, upon which they were hired for their energy and stage presence. Although Frere, who assumed the role of lead singer and rhythmic guitar, is well known for his involvement in the folk music duo Lewis and Royal and the three-member Wheatland Band, both of which tour, Bottle Rock It usually performs for one-day events, such as rodeos, cabarets, and corporate functions.
“This gig in Strathmore is actually a little unusual, it’s not typical,” Frere said. “Typically we’re getting hired for someone’s wedding, or an annual rodeo dance. This in Strathmore, I want to believe that people are going to treat it like a community event, and I hope they get into the spirit and get onto the dance floor.”
As all four members are originally from rural areas, including Trochu, Drumheller, and Airdrie, they are looking forward to performing in front of a small town crowd, which Frere said is more laid back in their attitude. The band consists of Lewis Frere as one of the lead vocalists and on rhythm guitar, his nephew Nick Frere on bass, lead guitarist Jason Bertsch, and Wes Brown on the drums. Although Bottle Rock It does not tour, they already have performances lined up for rodeo dances and summer weddings.
Bottle Rock It will be performing at the Strathmore Travelodge on Feb. 6. Cocktails start at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased at the Marlin Travel, Pro Water, or Assist Business Centre in Strathmore.