The Travelling Mabels

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Letter of Intro - The Travelling Mabels April 27th, 2012 TO: Whom It May Concern FROM: Jope Langejans Forestburg Concert Series Box 22, Forestburg, AB. T0B 1N0 (780-582-3952) or forestburgconcertseries@persona.ca I have been invited to forward a letter of what I can only call “awesomeness” for ‘The Travelling Mabels’. They had played in our community a week ago and folks are still talking about them and how much they felt that this had to be one of the best concerts they had ever seen in the 23 years of our existence as a concert series. Many folk commented that we needed to bring them back next year, if possible, and these sorts of requests do not come lightly but with a deep conviction of what they saw and experienced on stage. Their music is true to Alberta, true to the prairies, and with a reality that harmony, humour, and musical professionalism is what draws crowds into their world and into their realm of touching hearts wherever they perform. I would never hesitate to have them grace any of your stages and have your fans leave with a feeling that they’ve been touched with something much greater than what could be expressed in word. They are fabulous, fun, real, and more importantly, know how to bring music into every heart – into every soul. The Travelling Mabels are truly on the go and truly on the move! You will be delighted! Yours sincerely, Jope Langejans c/o Forestburg Concert Series
Travelling Mabels Entertain in Last of Forestburg Concert Series Val Vincett, staff reporter The Community Press, Forestburg. Tuesday, Apr. 24, 2012 The Travelling Mabels sang at the Forestburg Community Hall on Saturday, Apr. 21. "We saved the best for last," said Jope of this trio and, you know for a change, the man was right! This group knocked everyone's socks right off! The combined three voices blended together in a wonderful, powerful voice. eva Levesque, her daughterSuzanne, and Lana Floen entertained for three hours with an intermission in between. Keith Floen, on back up, was a magician at the piano! He played a couple of solo numbers, and wow, could he play! This group won the ACMA Group of the Year on Jan. 29, 2012. They have opened for Charlie Major, Ian Tyson, and Prairie Oyster. The group started the concert with one of their own tunes, "Smolder Blues", a song that said, "Now I'm getting older, I got to learn to smoulder" then went straight into "Love Is Strange", a song suzanne had written. "We come from Longview, the home of Ian Tyson, so he wrote a song for us to sing", said Eva. With that, they sang "Song In A Dream"written by Tyson. "We got our name from a Blue Tick Hound in Atlanta Georgia. Her name was "Mabel", laughed Eva. Throughout the evening, they mixed their own music with John Denver, Neil Young, gordon Lightfoot, Fludd, and Aretha Franklin in a mixture that was perfect for the audience. Eva told some stories too. "A lady with a glass eye went into a bar looking for some affection. She dropped her glass eye and a cowboy managed to catch it for her. "The next morning, she brought home breakfast in bed. "Do you always bring breakfast for your one-night stands?" asked the cowboy. "Only those who catch my eye", was the reply. They played several songs during the concert with Suzanne's "Go Away", Lana's "That's The Deal", and Eva's "Butterfly". They also played "Riding Fences", "Cousin Mary", Aretha Franklin's "Chain Of Fools" then "Night Rider's Lament". For their encore, Keith played another song, then the girls sang a song. All in all, it was a wonderful night of solid entertainment. Makes you wonder how Jope will top it next year!
PRAISE FOR THE PRAIRIE POETS Feb 17, 2012 It was an easy move from they Hyatt and the Teachers' Convention a couple of blocks to the home of my good friends at the Cantos Music Foundation - freshly named The National Music Centre. They had taken advantage of my presence in Calgary to put together an amazing show called Songs of the Prairie Poets - a great concept with six different acts doing a mix of original material and classics from the Canadian prairie canon. After a delightful VIP reception, I began the evening with a shortened version of the presentation (though, as usual, I got so relaxed telling stories I know I went a little long - not that anyone seemed to mind). The musical portion of the evening kicked off with Scotty Hills, whose selections included an absolutely brilliant song about Gimli, Manitoba and tied it in nicely to the Lucky Stone on the 7th fret. The Travelling Mabels' sweet harmonies weaved through their set - including the honorary prairie tune, Lightfoot's "Alberta Bound". Prashant John wound up the first set with a stunning cross-cultural rendition of Buffy Ste. Marie's "Starwalker". The second set started with the extraordinary Cam Penner - an amazingly soulful voice and a genuine poet - a real find for me and great guy. SAVK offered up a brilliant original along with one of the most impressive covers of Joni Mitchell's "This Flight Tonight" I've ever heard and another by one of my all-time favourite Canadian artists, John K. Samson. And finally, Tim Hus brought the classic Canadian country cowboy-song to the evening with a pedigree that includes multiple connections to Stompin' Tom and Alberta charm as genuine as his boots. He also lead the all-cast finale in the ultimate prairie closer, Ian & Sylvia's "Four Strong Winds". Each artist brought out something different in Voyageur and it was nothing short of an honour and a pleasure to be part of this incredible show. A leisurely nightcap at the wonderful new home of the Ironwood Stage & Grill in the gloriously renovated Garry Theatre brought a perfect close to a great day in Calgary (good to see you again, Pat!). Thank you all. Special thanks to Ian Menzies, Candace Elder, Andrew Mosker and all the amazing staff at Cantos/NMC. I'll be back on Tuesday to be part of some of their excellent work with school groups. Looking forward to it!
The 2011 Association of Country Music in Alberta Awards - press release Red Deer, AB – The 2011 Association of Country Music in Alberta Awards was hosted in Red Deer this past weekend at Westerner Park. Several awards and recognitions were handed out to some of the best in Alberta’s up and coming country music scene. With over 200 artists, industry members, and fans alike in attendance for the 1st Annual gala – the country music scene was apparent! “We are privileged to have such a unique foundation of country artists in the province ranging from folk and bluegrass to country rock. As an Association, this was our opportunity to showcase these artists to industry members as well as fans throughout Alberta,” says ACMA and Royalty Records President, Rob Smith. Awards on Sunday were handed out in five different categories: 2011 Male Artist of the Year – Shane Chisholm - Claresholm, Alberta 2011 Female Artist of the Year – Tenille – Grande Prairie, Alberta 2011 Group of the Year – The Travelling Mabels – Calgary, Alberta 2011 Fans Choice Award – MYROL – Edmonton, Alberta 2011 Hall of Fame Inductee – Harris Dvorkin, Ranchman’s Cookhouse & Dance Hall Following the awards show, guests were invited to a jam session hosted by Alberta’s own KixxSin which showcased the other award nominee’s. A special thank you to 2011 CCMA Group of the Year, Hey Romeo, who hosted the evenings show, as well as, a big thank you to our presenting sponsor: Ranchman’s Cookhouse & Dancehall Inc. and our other show sponsors: Westerner Park, Travelodge Red Deer, Live Events Concerts & Promotions, Exposure Productions, Rayacom Print & Design and Andrew Peller. For more information, we invite you to visit our website at www.abcountrymusic.ca or ‘like’ our page on Facebook. Our mission: To develop, nurture and promote Alberta Country Music and its Artists and to support the Alberta Country Music Industry and its Alberta based companies to the best of our ability.
On the cover of Routes Magazine
Trio's harmonies 'what country is all about' Travelling Mabels having a ball on the festival circuit BY TOM MURRAY, FREELANCE JULY 31, 2010 BE THE FIRST TO POST A COMMENT The Travelling Mabels Photograph by: Supplied, edmontonjournal.com CONCERT PREVIEW TRAVELLING MABELS Where: Big Valley Jamboree, Camrose When: Today at 1 p.m. on the mainstage, 3:30 p.m. at the songwriters' tent Tickets: Through Ticketmaster or at the gate - - - CAMROSE — Going from singing on a whim at an open mike to playing the mainstage at Big Valley Jamboree in just two years is a pretty good trick. No doubt any number of aspiring singers and songwriters would like to know exactly how Lana Floen, Eva Levesque and her daughter, Suzanne, pulled it off. Now known collectively as the Travelling Mabels, the three didn't necessarily set out to impress when taking a spot to sing (the Eagles') Seven Bridges Road at the Royalty Records party for the 2008 Canadian Country Music Awards. "We just wanted to sing together," says Eva Levesque. "Sue was nominated that year as bassist for Gord Bamford, and we were looking for somewhere to do it. We had these great three-part harmonies worked out, and it went over so well that we had a few business cards by the end." The former owner of Royalty Records himself came over to say how impressed he was with the trio, insisting that they think about continuing on as a band. "You know how when someone says something nice about you, but you know they're not being sincere? Well, he was being sincere, and that meant a lot. He said, 'This is what country is all about'." Taking him at his word, the three set to recording with members of Ian Tyson's band, a connection made through Floen's husband, who plays keyboards for the Alberta legend. The independent, self-titled album, which garnered comparisons to Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris's collaboration, took further advantage by having Tyson himself appear for a brief vocal spot. In just under two years, it's sold out many times after its initial pressing of a thousand. A song on the record called Mabel gives a clue as to how the band got its name. "It was during one of my periods away from music," Levesque explains. "I'd become a long-haul trucker with my husband, and we were down in Georgia, seeing friends who had a bluetick hound dog named Mabel, who was completely unruly. My friends said I had to write a song about him, so I did, in the truck. "It ended up being one of the ones we recorded. Later, when we were trying to come up with a group name by going over song titles, Keith (Floen) said, 'Mabel, that's a good one. You girls like to travel.' "So there it is; we're named after a dog." Based in and around Calgary, they are now slowly working toward a new record with Floen's husband, taking a few months off for a busy schedule of summer shows. Tyson has gone one step further and given the three a song written especially for them, and Levesque hopes the final result will be available early next year. "We've all done time playing in bars, and now we want to play at summer folk fests and coffee houses. That's where our sound is best suited, I think." - - - TODAY'S SHOWS Here's what's on the mainstage today at Big Valley Jamboree: - -1 to 1:45 p.m. -- Travelling Mabels - -2 to 3 p.m. -- Deric Ruttan - -3:30 to 4:30 p.m. -- Bucky Covington - -5 to 6 p.m. -- Ronnie Milsap - -7:30 to 8:30 p.m. -- Kevin Costner & Modern West - -9 to 10 p.m. -- Martina McBride © Copyright (c) The Edmonton Journal Read more:
Kevin Costner feels the love at Big Valley Engaging frontman puts on spirited show with seven-piece band BY TOM MURRAY, EDMONTONJOURNAL.COM AUGUST 1, 2010 COMMENTS (2) Kevin Costner and Modern West plays at the main stage at the Big Valley Jamboree in Camrose, Alta. on July 31, 2010. Photograph by: Ryan Jackson, edmontonjournal.com Concert review Big Valley Jamboree, with Travelling Mabels, Deric Ruttan, Bucky Covington, Ronnie Milsap, Kevin Costner & Modern West, Martina McBride. Saturday CAMROSE — Have we mentioned that Big Valley Jamboree is, in fact, really big? Not just in terms of musical star power and attendance, which was up 10 per cent from last year’s first two days, but also physical space. One can get lost in the many tent and RV areas, and the secondary areas for entertainment deserve something of a tip of the hat as well. While the Travelling Mabels and Deric Rutton played early sets on the mainstage, a number of other events were happening around the festival. A hypnotist drew standing room crowds to the family stage, while others sought solace in beer and karaoke. Bluegrass and small folk outfits took over one space, while a few onlookers took a chance and checked out the songwriters’ tent to see overlooked talent like Edmonton’s James Murdoch, who knocked off an impassioned acoustic performance along with five other singer-songwriters. That’s not to say that the Travelling Mabels or Deric Ruttan were to be avoided; the Mabels boasted a sunny, rootsy sound, highlighted by a song celebrating the “blue tick hounddog” they partially took their name from, while Ruttan grabbed the crowd with Lovin’ You is Killin’ Me and the title cut from his most recent album, Sunshine. © Copyright (c) The Edmonton Journal Read more:
Entertainment Big Valley Jamboree The show must go on By CRASH CAMERON, EDMONTON SUN Last Updated: July 31, 2010 9:43pm Hello, Mable. They named the act after a hound dog — one of those Blue Suede Heelers. But the Travelling Mables are no rockabilly act. More Emmylou than Elvis. More like the Travelling Wilburys — you know, if they were girls. The mother, daughter and best-friend act sang a smart, sunshiney opening set on Saturday. I call them Matthew and the Mables, but that’s another story. see full article david.cameron@sunmedia.ca
www.newcountrystar.com "Saturday, the main stage will welcome, The Traveling Mabels and piano superstar Ronnie Milsap. Last year Kevin Costner and Modern West was next to perform but never got to showcase because of the tornadic stage collapse. Costner kept his promise to return and will bring his unique style of country music to this years event. Country music Goddess, and four time CMA ‘Female Artist of The Year’ Martina McBride will close the evenings performances." see full article
WFHB Music - Bloomington Community Radio WFHB Music Department - 91.3 FM for South Central Indiana - 98.1 FM in Bloomington Indiana SUNDAY, APRIL 4 Cathi's CD Reviews 4-4-2010 posted by Cathi N @ 11:15:00 AM Traveling Mabels, the – “Traveling Mabels” (Traveling Mabels Rec.) B+ Three Canadian lasses gather very talented musical friends and put out a first album, ripe with tight and beautiful harmonies, excellent musical arrangement and a sense of humor in songs reflecting their lives and experiences. “Smolder Blues,” for instants comically laments maturity forcing the singer to smolder, not burn. Many other tunes are about relationships and “Alberta Blue” is a tantalizing love song to their native Canada. Very easy on the ears, and good for all mixes. I’d call it Americana but these gals is Canadian!
The Travelling Mabels three generations, three voices- By Spencer Brown Beatroute Magazine - Spencer Brown view this article The Travelling Mabels, an all-female trio comprised of mother-daughter duo Sue and Eva and friend Lana, are about as Albertan as you would expect. Starting out casually in the fall of 2008, the three-piece played a record industry party at the Canadian Country Music Awards and, as Lana puts it, “had three business cards before we’d even left the stage.” With this early praise, the Mabels kept practicing and writing original songs, and had their eponymous first album out by June. The Travelling Mabels drew on their varied influences such as Emmy Lou Harris, Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline, early Sheryl Crow and Sweethearts of the Rodeo. With their vocal harmonies and instrumental abilities, they were able to pen eleven tracks with a few focusing on the blues. “Eva wrote them, but they’re about other people’s blues – we don’t get the blues!” laugh the Mabels. Also on the album is a guest appearance by Ian Tyson. Lana and Ian share a common bond: Lana’s husband, who functioned as Tyson’s keyboard player. Lana and Sue reveal that their formula thus far has been a success. “We’ve done fantastically; we’ve sold out of 1,000 CDs so far and have even charted in the States. People are loving it and it’s nice to get a fan base right from the start.” For those ladies looking to start, or jump-start, the way the Travelling Mabels have, they recommend “doing what’s right for you and learning an instrument so you have musical knowledge. That way, you grow as your own artist rather than depend on other people.” While there are those that wonder what it’s like to play in a band with your mom, it’s nothing out of the ordinary for Sue. “On a cross-Canada trip, we always played music together, so there’s a chemistry between us. We dig at each other and have a back and forth, but it’s never malicious,” Lana agrees, stating, “We’re three generations of women and we all bring something to the table. That makes everything we do pretty cool.” The future promises a second Travelling Mabels album which “will be recorded in our basement with my husband,” according to Lana. “(It) will be more roots and acoustic than our first album as we’re going to focus on our vocals.” Further, the band wants to focus on “building a solid fan base, getting a booking agent, touring and playing something the size of the Jack Singer if we could.” The Travelling Mabels credit those around them for “making our work easy to do with their support,” and fans who have helped sell out shows in such locales as Black Diamond, Turner Valley and Pincher Creek’s Cowboy festival. They encourage those unfamiliar to “see the show; we love to meet new people.”
The Travelling Mabels- The Travelling Mabels Album review ALLISON BROCK FROM CKUA WIDE CUT COUNTRY/BACKROADS COUNTRY CD REVIEW IN THE CANADIAN COWBOY MAGAZINE October / November publication If you love great songs with superb female vocal harmonies, then this debut CD should be in your collection. Eva Levesque, daughter Suzanne and friend Lana Floen share most of the writing credits along with lead and harmony vocals that blend perfectly, creating a very smooth flowing sound on every track. All of the tracks are played plain and simple with the guitar, bass and banjo as the main instruments. These are supplemented tastily by several other musicians, including Ian Tyson's long-time band members, The Two Gords, (Maxwell and Mathews) Ian Tyson himself adds his raspy vocals briefly (along with the ladies) on a wonderful song penned by Pat Hatherly and Jim Lewis. The resulting Alberta Blue is definitely a highlight track on the disc. Any fan of Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris and Dolly Pardon's collaborations should enjoy this Alberta grown trio.
The Travelling Mabels set to play Twin Butte General Store April 17 By Debbie Houghtaling Reporter Pincher Creek Echo The-Travelling Mabels be making a stop at the Twin Butte General Store and Mexican Restaurant-on April l7 The-trio have been gaining popularity around southern Alberta. Here they play at the Blackbird Coffeehouse last Januiry.The Travelling Mabel's will be travelling to the Twin Butte General Store on April 17. The trio, from southern Alberta, has become more and more popular in Cole- man after playing at such venues as.the Blackbird Coffeehouse and was a verv popular act at last year's Cowboy Gathering. The Mabels' beautiful harmonies, extraordinary musical arrangement and a sense of humour in songs reflecting their lives and experiences make the ait one that is hard to beat. Songs like "Smolder Blues," is just one of many that relates the artists' talent and humour. The show begins at 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 17.