Featuring tunes by the likes of Merle Haggard, George Jones and Buck Owens, Friday night’s show at the Commercial Tavern can be called a classic.
Kurk Bernard, familiar to those who’ve seen South Mountain in these parts, makes his first trip back to the Maryhill venue since moving home to PEI three years ago. Down the line from Tignish, he says he’s looking forward to it.
“It’ll be a classic country music show, with some real favourites,” he said. “We’re just going to be playing some country music with my friend Paul Weber.”
Years of singing around the kitchen table with his dad, Ivan, and Uncle Lionel, enabled Bernard to develop his unique singing style and love for entertaining. In addition to his vocal and fronting skills, Bernard is a noted bass player, having been nominated for a Canadian Country Music Award for Bass Player of the Year.
Bernard has recorded with the legendary Merle Haggard. He’s also toured with the likes of John Landry, South Mountain and John Cody Carter. In 2016, he released his debut album, Love’s Gonna Live Here, featuring tunes such as ‘You’re Still on My Mind,’ ‘Way To Survive,’ ‘Memories To Burn’ and ‘Ace In The Hole.’
Born into a musical family, he comes into the talent naturally, just like his love for country music.
“My dad and my uncle all played – I was surrounded by country music,” he said. “It’s all I’ve ever done.”
Having grown up in an East Coast musical environment, Bernard continued in that vein through 34 years of living and working in Hamilton before heading back to PEI with his wife and kids three years ago. Life there is still very much about the music, he said after returning home from his daily performance at the Stompin’ Tom Centre in nearby Skinners Pond.
Kurk Bernard joins Paul Weber at the Commercial Tavern Friday evening (July 6). Tickets are available at the venue, 1303 Maryhill Rd., or by calling 519-648-3644. For more information, visit www.commercialtavern.ca.
