The Clatskanie Arts Commission presents “The Wardens” concert on Saturday, February 18 at 7:30 p.m.
The performance will take place in the Birkenfeld Theater at the Klatskanie Cultural Center, 75 S. Nehalem Street, Klatskanie.
The Wardens, a Rocky Mountain-based group, share their stories, songs and incredible photographs from the land they protect as rangers of Canada’s National Parks.
With three-part harmonies and haunting tales, the band’s mountain music – a blend of folk, roots and western styles – reflects Canada’s protected wilderness areas. Celebrating the return of wild buffalo, grappling bears, lonely nights on the road, and depictions of a crisis environment, the rangers’ performance has been called a “mountain-cultural concert experience.”
The band has performed extensively throughout western Canada and the US from Alaska to California. The group includes:
Scott Ward, a songwriter and fingerstyle guitarist, was a national park ranger in Banff National Park for over 30 years. Scott’s music comes from a life spent in the deep wilderness of the Canadian Rockies as a rider, search and rescue dog handler and technical alpine specialist. He can bring a modern approach to a timeless musical tradition. Conjuring the iconic fingerstyle guitar of Gordon Lightfoot with the mystique and presence of Ian Tyson, Scott’s music exudes Canadian authenticity.
Ray Schmidtsongwriter, upright bassist, mandolinist and guitarist, formed The Wardens in 2009 with Scott Ward at the national park’s centennial after discovering the rich depth of music and events in this region of Canada.
Translating the high lonesome sound of the Kentucky hills into the sounds of the Rocky Mountains, Ray’s vocals enhance the spirit of The Wardens’ Mountain music. Posted in Jasper National Park, Ray has worked in a number of parks including Mount Banff, Glacier and Revelstoke. He now works with grizzly bears and the abundant wildlife in Jasper.
Deputy Warden Scott Duncan He has been playing the violin on stage since 2017. His talent is evident and may have something to do with his origins. His grandfather, Herb Duncan, played fiddle for over 100 years in Maple Creek, Saskatchewan.
Tickets are available online at clatskaniearts.org, by calling Elsa at 503.728.3403 or at the door the night of the performance if available.
Tickets: $25 for adults; $23 for seniors (60+) and students; $20 children 12 and under
