By Carson Ellis
For the Stettler Independent
Celtic-rooted band The McDades took the stage at the Performing Arts Centre for two shows on Sunday, March 3. The performance was part of the lineup for Stettler Variety Showcase.
The group comprises Solon McDade, Shannon Johnson (McDade) and Jeremiah McDade, who all grew up playing in a family band based out of Edmonton.
Rounding out the group is Montreal-based drummer Richard Irwin and guitarist Andy Hillhouse. The group performed songs ranging from Gordon Lightfoot’s hit “Sundown” to a Celtic-inspired song about the Bible story of the Seven Veils.
The first half of the show was closed with a French song that was brought to them by a friend.
After a brief intermission, where the McDade’s parents were in the lobby selling the band’s albums, they opened the second half with a song written by Johnson about a bad breakup she had gone through.
Johnson explains that she had a few names in mind for the song that were less than family-friendly, but that a friend of hers suggested calling it “Valley of A Thousand Tears,” which she settled on.
The evening’s playlist included songs written by members of the band, such as one song written by Shannon for her brother Jeremiah’s wedding. Another song was written by Solon’s wife and was about knowing when to leave a bad relationship.
Solon did note he and his wife are still happily married and living in Montreal.
The next Variety Showcase performance will be on Sunday, April 7, and performing is the Jeffery Straker Trio.
It will be the last performance of the season.
Tickets for the upcoming show are available at Grate Kitchen Shoppe.