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ALBERTA
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ALBERTA
SLIM |
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Alberta Slim is a legendary singer, an icon, songwriter and pioneer of the Canadian independent recording business. He has recently released a 5 CD compendium of his original recordings between the 1930’s and 2002. At 92 years he still takes time to tour and has been seen at major folk festival and concert stages between his home in Vancouver BC, from Canso, Nova Scotia to Whitehorse, in the Yukon. His songs remain pure in the prairie style with various points in Canada and Canadian history as a general theme. Slim is still King of the Yodelers and hasn’t allowed age to dull his wit or passion in interview, style or song. He is an active member of Canada’s arts community and possibly our last living connection to a music, a time and a culture that helped define Canada in the last century. Slim’s anchor song is "She Taught Me How to Yodel", a great piece of artistry. In addition to tapes and CDs, Slim has 4 Song Folios of his words and music. Starting out on radio in Regina in 1937 and then Saskatoon, Slim took to the road with his band. From the Grand Banks of Newfoundland to blue mountains of BC, Alberta Slim’s songs are known and loved. Slim composes songs of great Canadians and the country he loves, such as "When It’s Apple Blossom Time in Annapolis Valley", "My Nova Scotia Home", "Beautiful British Columbia", "Longing for Ontario", "Canada My Homeland", "Our Canada Song", "Canada Land of the Free", "A True Story of My Pony and Me", "What a Friend we Have in Mother", "It’s Then I’d Like to be Back Home Again", "Watching Baby Billy Grow", Daddy’s Princess", "The Story of Laura Secord", "When It’s Springtime in Saskatchewan", "The Great Pacific Railroad (1885)", "Call of the Caribou", "Blue Waters of the Yukon", "I Lost My Heart in Canso, Nova Scotia by the Sea", "The Phantom of Whistler Mountain", his latest edition, "The Northwest Passage", Slim’s theme song, "I Want to Ride, Ride, Ride Over the Prairie", and many others.
ALBERTA SLIM ENTERTAINS AT THE 2002 VICTORIA ROOTSFEST
"Rootsfest May Finally be Finding its Rhythm"
"A song circle – or song swap, as moderator David Essig called it – featuring Stephen Fearing, John Mann of Spirit of the West, and Amy Sky was thrilling as much for its humour as its music. But when 92 year-old country gentleman Alberta Slim began to yodel, the only thing left to do was sing Happy Trails. His was a performance that could not be matched!"
Mike Devlin, Times Colonist, Victoria, BC, Aug., 17, 2002
To book Alberta Slim for your festivals and celebrations of all kinds, to visit your town, big or small with his show, phone 604-581-0354, fax 604-581-1498, email albertaslim@uniserve.com, or look at his Website http://www.albertaslim.com for information. Slim sings and yodels from his folio of about 100 of his copyrighted songs. To order Slim’s CDs, Cassettes, Folios (14 in all) and souvenirs contact him by phone, fax, email or write him at 12609 98 Ave., Surrey, BC, V3B 2K9.
| YODELING ALBERTA SLIM |
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As the sun rises on Newfoundland across our great Canada, CBC Television Network broadcasts the Canadian songs of Alberta Slim, Canada – wide on Canada Day, 2002. Here are a few of the e-mails received by Alberta Slim from his fans …..
Hi Slim,
I just saw a special on you on CBC and my eyes filled with tears as it brought back many memories. I saw you years ago and have just about everything you ever put out. I guess I am about your greatest fan here in Stephenville Nfld. And many times I loan the radio station some of your old LPs and when they play them on the radio I am the first to have a silent tear fall. May God bless and keep it up please and let me know how I can get an autographed picture of you. I don’t think I will ever get to see you in person again as I am disabled from work related accident and cannot travel anymore. I still listen to your records and pass my time trying to learn how to use computer. Slim you are a legend and I love you. Your most loyal fan, Ken Maynard, Stephenville.
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I watched with interest a piece on Alberta Slim on the CBC today, Canada Day. I am familiar with many of his songs. To me Alberta Slim and Wilf Carter are the icons of country music in Canada. Happy Canada Day and many more Alberta Slim. Regards, Don Storm, Toronto, Ont.
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Hello Alberta Slim,
I saw you on the TV on July 1st and thought that I would be remiss If I didn’t contact you to tell you of a CKCK (Regina) Radio reunion that is planned for this year. You are certainly one of the most "wired" 93-year-olds on the planet! Don Black, Regina, Sask.
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Dear Alberta Slim:
What a great way to celebrate Canada’s birthday! We were treated to yet another of your stellar performances when you appeared on CBC TV today. Over the years you have composed and presented to the public a host of songs which portray our country’s history, Slim. And today, at 92 accompanied by your guitar you continue to sing and yodel in a way that touches the hearts and souls of those who admire your significant contributions to country and western music. You were performing regularly on CFQC Radio in Saskatoon when I joined the staff of that station in 1941. I became an instant fan. Now at age 82, I remain a staunch fan. My sister who lives in Windsor, Ont., has been an ardent admirer of your music ever since she first heard you on CFQC. She paid close attention today to a promotional announcement on CBC that you would be a guest as the network saluted stars coast to coast on its July 1st show. Then she phoned me to make certain that we would be tuned in because she is aware of my keen appreciation of your talents. How joyful it was to have you in our living room. My wife shares those sentiments. When you concluded your segment of the Canada Day show with a hearty laugh, we laughed with you. It is so characteristic to have your contagious sense of humour blossoming once again. Slim, you are a role model as a superb entertainer. Best regards, Godfrey Hudson, Toronto, Ont.
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Dear Alberta Slim,
When I was 9 or 10 years old, (1941-42) in Blaine Lake, I wrote Alberta Slim a fan letter at CFQC Saskatoon. I received a picture of Slim, "Sweetheart Annabelle" and the Bar X Cowboys. I also ordered several song books and I still have some remnants of those books – some 60 years later. I have been humming and trying to sing a verse of Annapolis Valley over all these years and not remembering where the song originated. (One of my favourites). What a pleasant surprise to find Alberta Slim on the internet. Now, at 70 years of age, I am once again sending Slim a fan letter! Walt Kardash, Savannah, GA
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From the Prime Minister of Canada to Alberta Slim, Ottawa, 2002
It gives me great pleasure to extend my sincere congratulations to you on the occasion of your 92nd Birthday.
Your contributions in Canadian music will forever be appreciated. Jean Chrétien, Prime Minister of Canada.
* Special thanks to the CBC network and to Cameron Noyes, my agent.
