Back after a well received Christmas concert last year, The Larry Mercey Trio will be performing at Gale Presbyterian Church December 1 along with Don Vair, aka Country Clem.
Lead singer Larry Mercey is accompanied by George Lonsbury on guitar, and the low harmony in the group, as well as bass player Al Alderso, who also sings the high harmony in the group. Having now been together for more than a decade, the Larry Mercey Trio began simple as good friends playing shows together.
“I am very lucky to play with them,” said Mercey of his bandmates. “They are excellent friends, so there is never really anything between us but having fun and loving the music we do.”
One of the things unique to the group, Mercey explains, is that that dynamic shines through in their performance of country tunes.
For Mercey, performing in Elmira is a homecoming of sorts, having lived in the town for 20-odd years.
“Coming back to Elmira is always like coming home,” he said. “We always see some old friends when we come back there to play, which is nice.”
Noting that although last year was a first for them playing at Gale Presbyterian he was delighted to see how well attended the show was, with plenty of support for the group. A stand-up comedy and musical talent, Country Clem, is the trio’s guest this year.
“I always bring different people when I come back to places and this year my guest is Don Vair, who is also Country Clem,” he said. “He is very, very funny. People really enjoy him, so I am hoping they do in Elmira too.”
Clem, Vair’s character, began as a one-time performance for a small social event and transformed into an act not shy to places like the concert gall at the Royal York in Toronto. Known for ending his stand-up comedy performance with a song or two, the match was perfect, says Mercey.
Although a Christmas concert with a country feel – and comedy routine to boot – Mercey explains the audience will also be able to enjoy a mix in of his hit songs throughout the set list.
“I would say that about 60 per cent are Christmas songs and then the others are just hit songs for myself and for my brothers, the Mercey Brothers,” he said, noting that with the Christmas songs people should expect to hear some commercial classics.
He expects the show will run about two hours, give or take.
Playing back to back shows after performing at The Norgan Theatre in Palmerston tonight (Thursday), The Larry Mercey Trio will be performing their Christmas concert at Gale Presbyterian Church in Elmira on Friday evening, starting at 7 p.m.
