Ladies play the ladies

Carol 1 Great women of song were both onstage and in the music on last Thursday’s Music in the Park. The evening featured three talented local ladies, Carol Sheridan, Sam Marsel and Hilary Drummond performing some of their favourite female singers and songwriters. Carol (top) came out strong on her set with an eclectic mix of indie, folk, and pop. In an ideal opener, she warmed up the crowd with her sweet vocals, and accompanied herself with some great chord work on guitar with tunes from Indigo Girls, Sarah MacLachlan, and Joni Mitchell. She also treated the audience to a couple of her own compositions, joking on one number that the subject was “an old boyfriend from way way back — and not my husband”.

Sam 4 Sam Marsel (above) opted for a digital backup band so she could work the mic and the crowd while strutting her stuff in true country style. Her confident singing on  scorchers like “Pontoon” by Little Big Town quickly set a hot summer groove. The hot evening was a great time to sing about “motorboatin’ “. Marsel followed up on the “diva” theme by singing songs by her favourite country ladies, including Dolly Parton and Lady Antebellum. Hilary 9

Hilary Drummond (above) changed the tone once again, with her quirky humour. She opened with a number on ukelele, guaranteeing instant smiles from the audience. She demonstrated her musical skills by switching to guitar and harmonica half-way through her set. Perhaps the biggest hoots and hollers from the crowd came on her final number, Never Wear Panties to a  Party by Kacey Jones. The lyrics contained some good advice for ladies on a hot summer night: “You don’t have to decide bikini or thong /  Leave ’em both at home and you can’t go wrong / It’s not because of the panty line  /  It’s ‘cos the breeze feels so fine” . Drummond certainly knows to leave ’em laughing. 

Up next week at Music in the Park is Andi Zack and Ken Johnson. Calling Nashville home for several years now, Andi is still an Oliver girl at heart.  With a new CD under her belt, Andi is ready to treat the hometown crowd to some new country pop. Thursday August 7 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Oliver Community Stage (band shell). Bring a blanket or lawn chair – there’s plenty of shade under the marquee or the trees. A donation for the concert is appreciated, as all musicians are paid. Don’t forget the market is open from 4;30 – 8:30, so bring something extra in your wallet for food fare, beverages, market items, and of course, Andi’s new CD!