Victoria Folk Music Society presents: Blu & Kelly Hopkins

add to outlook add to google calendar remind me

Sunday, August 28th, 2016
7:30 PM

Singers, songwriters and multi-instrumentalists Blu & Kelly Hopkins have been travelling, writing songs and performing them for many years. A true troubadour, Blu’s influences include everything from Bill Monroe and Woody Guthrie, to Gordon Lightfoot and Stan Rogers. His storytelling songwriting style reflects his experience working and performing across Canada. Blu has lived the songs he sings.

In addition to the two BCIMA awards he’s won, Blu has been nominated sixteen times for Okanagan Music Awards and BC Interior music Awards in both Songwriter and Folk Artist categories and with Kelly as Folk Roots/Bluegrass band of the year.

The duo have shared the bill with many well known artists including, Kelly Joe Phelps, Allen Dobb, Bill Henderson, Ben Mink, Veda Hille, Jim Byrnes, Roy Forbes, Todd Butler, Valdy, Ken Hamm and Gary Fjellgaard.

Kelly is also an accomplished songwriter, her songs ranging from rollicking & fun to heartfelt & poignant ballads. She is a great acoustic bass player, and her mandolin compositions are traditional sounding yet fresh tunes that are delighting audiences and other musicians everywhere. Kelly’s warm harmonies combine nicely with Blu’s smokey baritone voice for a wonderful relaxed sound.

The couple have also produced and recorded several acoustic projects for other artists in their “Silvercreek Studio” and Blu hosts a weekly radio broadcast of Acoustic music and interviews with songwriters and performers called “The BluJay Cafe” on CKVS 93.7 FM Salmon Arm.

Following the release of Blu’s two solo projects “Never Say Never” in 2001, and “Canyon Wind” in 2004, Blu & Kelly released their duo CD “Homegrown” in 2007. Described as “like a visit with two old friends, sharing their songs”, the CD was recorded by them in their home studio over a couple of months, with the help of several of their musical friends.

The pair then got together with Bassist Jim Leduc and virtuoso multi instrumentalist, Gord Milne, to record a bunch of their favorites, live in Silvercreek studio . The result is a mellow blending of feel good tunes and story songs titled “Shakin’ The Dust Off”.

Blu & Kelly have just finished their latest project “Home Fires”, featuring a mix of original songs and their most requested cover tunes, in time for summer touring.

Charismatic, engaging and humourous, Blu and Kelly and their brand of “Organic Acoustic Music” are winning new fans and charming audiences wherever they play.

___________
Our feature act will be preceded by what is arguably Victoria’s best weekly acoustic Open Stage session where musicians from fledglings to professionals can perform a 10 minute set for one of the most welcoming, attentive and participative audiences in town. Aspiring Open Stage performers can sign-up with the VFMS Host between 7:00 and 7:30pm to do a set but should get there early to improve their chances of getting on the evening’s line-up.