Christmas Spirit Radiothon 2017 - Interviews & Music Pt. 1

Today’s our annual Radiothon to help spread Christmas cheer and support our local hamper campaigns – Santa’s Anonymous in Banff and Lake Louise and the Bow Valley Christmas Spirit Campaign in Canmore and the MD of Bighorn.  We’ve invited a number of special guests and local musicians to join us on air!  Here are the interviews and live music from my half of the broadcast:

Christmas Spirit Campaign chair Lynn Hately gives an overview of what they do and what they’re looking for this year.

Debbie Algeo has been organizing the Royal Lepage Food Drive for over two and a half decades!  She talks about tonight’s door-to-door campaign and the need for volunteers.

Andrew Cotter from Elk Run & Riot opens the live music portion of the day with a sing-along version of “Jingle Bell Rock” and a tune from their upcoming album called “Industry Night” which is perhaps the most ‘Banff’ song ever written.

Chantal von Rotz says the fine folks at Valbella Gourmet Foods are busy getting ready their annual donation of about 500 lbs. of meat for the Christmas Spirit hampers.  She talks about why Valbella has been a constant supporter of this campaign.

Cathy Robinson is the Bow Valley Christmas Spirit Campaign food coordinator.  She talks about some of the in-demand items to fill this year’s hampers and why cash donations can go a long way.

Banff’s Alanna J Brown shared a beautiful version of “Silver Bells” and a cover of Sufjan Stevens’ “That Was the Worst Christmas Ever!”

Nathalie Delbecq says the Whyte Museum is gearing up for their annual Whyte Christmas Open House, a free family event Saturday afternoon.

Fresh off his star performance as Selsdon in the Pine Tree Players’ sold out run of “Noises Off”, Doon Wilkins talks about more Pine Tree auditions beginning this weekend and performs an original song called “Send A Little Love Her Way” from a one-act show he’s written called “Home Is Where Your Dog Is”.

Last night Kyle Pullan pulled into the lead at the Battle of the Bands competition at Tommy’s!  The local finger-style guitarist performed his original song “Strange Behaviour”

A duo of duos!  Sue and Jamie from hummingBird teamed up with Marcy and Michelle from Leo Leo to perform a harmony-perfect rendition of “Mary Had A Baby”