The promise they香蕉视频直播檙e not rebuilding their railway heritage concerts, only fine-tuning them.

After two decades of delivering tales and songs about life on the railway to their ever-increasing fan base, you might wonder why they would want to mess with success. But for 2018, they香蕉视频直播檙e introducing new songs, plus a surprise concert ending added to their shows.

Jack Godwin, the leader of the band, said they香蕉视频直播檙e busier than ever.

香蕉视频直播淲e used to just start playing in April and play through to September and October,香蕉视频直播� said Godwin. 香蕉视频直播淭he valley is now filling up in the winter with snowbirds. They香蕉视频直播檙e seniors and they know trains because a lot of them are prairie people.香蕉视频直播�

The Brakemen have two concerts booked already, performing for northern snowbirds wintering in the South Okanagan. On Feb. 24, they will be at the Osoyoos Seniors Centre, a concert that has sold out over the past couple of years. For more info about his concert, call 250-495-3211.

香蕉视频直播淭hey sell out a week in advance,香蕉视频直播� said Godwin. 香蕉视频直播淲e started doing the same thing in Peachland. Then in the summer, we香蕉视频直播檙e travelling around to music festivals.香蕉视频直播�

Peachland is also already booked, for an afternoon concert on March 11 at the local seniors香蕉视频直播� centre. Call. 250-767-2647 to find out more.

The number of places you can find the Brakemen playing is growing too.

About ten years ago, the Brakemen also started playing seniors香蕉视频直播� accommodations, though only a few, since most couldn香蕉视频直播檛 afford the band.

香蕉视频直播淭hey were used to, in those days, having kids come in from the piano class and playing 茅tudes, and they would listen for a while,香蕉视频直播� said Godwin, explaining that the kind of seniors香蕉视频直播� accommodations opening up in the last five years or so have been radically different.

香蕉视频直播淭hey have sound systems built in, they have seating areas,香蕉视频直播� said Godwin. 香蕉视频直播淭he people that are going to seniors homes nowadays are just a little bit younger than I am and they are wanting entertainment.香蕉视频直播�

Plus, the modern homes tend to be wired and ready for professional entertainers.

香蕉视频直播淵ou just show up, plug in and perform.香蕉视频直播�

Godwin is also being mysterious about a new ending to Brakemen shows, saying that they香蕉视频直播檙e not going to make the audience 香蕉视频直播減ay香蕉视频直播� for an encore this year.

No excessive applauding, cheering or foot stomping needed. The free encore follows the full Brakemen concert/singalong and they promise will finally answer one the most persistent questions asked of the band, according to their press release.

香蕉视频直播淔or some reason, people love this, we香蕉视频直播檙e all in on this encore joke,香蕉视频直播� said Godwin, adding that for the encore they usually play a song relating to where they are performing, like Rattlesnake Rain if it was Naramata.

香蕉视频直播淲hat we are doing this year is something completely different. It will still be the same Brakemen ending, but then there will be this little, added treat.香蕉视频直播�

They have lots of their own original songs, but the Brakemen have been known to take some liberties with classic railroad songs, like Orange Blossom Special 香蕉视频直播� specifically Johnny Cash香蕉视频直播檚 harmonica version.

香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檝e adapted the lyrics, so it香蕉视频直播檚 now called Cantaloupe Special. The first product they carried when they opened up the southern part of the Kettle Valley line in the 40s, was cantaloupes. They grew them down in Osoyoos and Oliver and there was a famous little train call 香蕉视频直播楥antaloupe Manny香蕉视频直播櫹憬妒悠抵辈��

Beyond just appealing to the love of railroads in everyone, Godwin said their mix of humour, music and storytelling has a timeless appeal.

香蕉视频直播淭hat combination of stories and songs really works. The first guys who were musicians and ever made money 香蕉视频直播� or their food 香蕉视频直播� made it by travelling from community to community, telling stories and singing songs,香蕉视频直播� said Godwin. 香蕉视频直播淭hat appeal still works for people.香蕉视频直播�

Steve Kidd

Senior reporter,

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