The Travelling Mabels are an award-winning folk/country group from southern Alberta. For more than fifteen years, they have brought their own unique brand of harmony, humour and musicianship to audiences from coast to coast, performing at venues ranging from folk clubs and community halls to big festivals. They have shared the stage with many notable artists including Ian Tyson, Tom Jackson, The Elvis Imperials and Gene Watson. They have also collectively written and recorded four CDs which have enjoyed extensive airplay on radio stations such as CBC and CKUA.
As an ardent fan once humorously stated “If the Eagles and the Trio (Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris) were a family, then surely their children would be The Travelling Mabels”.
Their song release, Alberta Blue, has been a long time fan favourite and features a cameo vocal performance by the legendary Ian Tyson.
Their latest album titled “Take Me Home” features 11 songs, comprised of mostly original music, a Billy Joel instrumental cover and a remix of their most popular song “Alberta Blue”.
Additionally, the lyrics to Alberta Blue have been featured in an award winning Children’s board book titled “Alberta Blue - A Prairie Sky Lullaby”.
WINNER, CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE YEAR! 2022 Alberta Book Publishing Awards
Snuggle up with your little one and enjoy this Made-in-Alberta board book, a tribute to our big skies and wide-open landscapes. Marvel at the beauty of our province with rhyming verses by Pat Hatherly and watercolour paintings by Jesse Horne.
'Alberta Blue' makes an excellent baby gift for new parents, and is the perfect little lullaby for every Albertan baby.
Reviews
"A great compliment to Alberta’s blue and inspiring spirit of peace and love." — Tom Jackson
"A lovely tribute to Alberta's captivating blue skies. The Prairies provide the most magical backdrop for endless imagination." — Amber Marshall
More About the artists
You’ll rarely catch Calgary artist Jesse Horne without her sketchbook and art kit. Best known for her plein air paintings and travel sketches, Jesse has a talent for capturing her surroundings in vibrant colour and rich detail. ‘Alberta Blue’ gave Jesse the opportunity to showcase the wild beauty found in Alberta, from the Rocky Mountains to the prairies.
Pat Hatherly is a long-time singer-songwriter from High River, Alberta. She was struck by the big, beautiful Alberta sky on a road trip home from B.C. In that moment, Pat realized just how much she’d missed big sky country, and the words of ‘Alberta Blue’ came to mind. This Western Canadian folk song was first performed at the Stony Plain Cowboy Gathering, and then popularized by The Travelling Mabels.
Excerpt
"Let me sing you a picture of an Alberta sky. It's as wide as the world, and about twice as high. First the golden pink sunrise warms the land with its hue. Then a new day begins wrapped in Alberta Blue."