Check out the CHATHAM-KENT MOUNTAINEERS all this week on the second edition of the Local Spotlight, heard daily at 4:40 pm during WEEKDAZE with Jay Smith!
The Chatham-Kent Mountaineers were born in early 2008 during a Theatre Kent play rehearsal and have been playing their unique blend of rock music ever since. The Mountaineer sound focuses primarily on Celtic, Irish and Canadian East Coast influences, in addition to one of its main functions as Irish beer-drinking music. Those who enjoy bands like Great Big Sea, Spirit of the West, Young Dubliners and the Dropkick Murphys as well as the more traditional music of the Maritimes are sure to enjoy the high energy shows the Mountaineers have become renowned for. The Mountaineers rarely end a show without most of the crowd up dancing and singing along — crowd participation is strongly encouraged.
After a great deal of preparation and perspiration, they recorded their first CD “Feed ‘Em Their Teeth” (released in October 2009) at Eyrespace Studios in Chatham, Ontario with the expert help of Bob Hiltz. The band, a fully born-and-raised Chatham-Kent outfit with members from Dover Centre, Chatham, Blenheim and Tilbury – consists of Dan Davidson on drums and vocals, Stew Morton on lead vocals and guitar, Rob Rankin on banjo and mandolin and Alysson Storey on fiddle, vocals and harmonica are now hard at work on their second album. With their latest musical effort they are continuing to push themselves and their creative skills to refine their sound. They now have a solid stable of original songs that they’ve been performing regularly for two years, with input and participation from every Mountaineer. They are excited to be sharing these originals with their fans very soon, as they head back into the recording studio this summer. Five songs from this upcoming CD, including one original are being debuted this week on the airwaves thanks to CKXS FM broadcasting from Wallaceburg, Ontario.
The Mountaineers play regularly across southern Ontario, with successful gigs under their belt in Toronto and the midwestern United States. They have been selected twice now for the Local Music Spotlight on CKXS Radio (which included a live studio broadcast), music and interviews on CBC Radio and other regional media. And while the Mountaineers are guaranteed to provide great entertainment, they are also dedicated to their community. Over the past 3 years the Mountaineers have made major donations to the Chatham-Kent Outreach for Hunger, and continue to incorporate CKOH fundraising into many of their shows. They have also made major contributions to other important charitable causes such as Rotary International’s Shelterbox program after the Haiti earthquake and the Chatham-Kent Children’s Treatment Centre.
The band has had a great run so far, achieving more success than most of them likely ever anticipated and look forward to continuing to grow as a band, while most importantly, continuing to have fun. For updates on the Mountaineers such as next gigs and how to book, you can find them on facebook, twitter: ckmountaineers or email ckmountaineers@hotmail.com.
