When exciting news surfaces in small town Alberta, it doesn't take long for the word to spread, and the community starts buzzing with anticipation.
When exciting news surfaces in small town Alberta, it doesn't take long for the word to spread, and the community starts buzzing with anticipation. This is exactly what happened on March 29 at the All Saints Ukrainian Cultural Centre as local boy turned Canadian country music star Brett Kissel announced a homecoming concert this coming June.
“We're truly excited to announce that we'll be having a hometown-homecoming concert here in St. Paul at the Jaycee Ballpark on June 18 under the stars,&” said Kissel during the press conference featuring Jackie Ray of 840 CFCW and Town of St. Paul Mayor Glenn Anderson.
The concert will be the final event during a week where Kissel plans to return home and spend time in the community, visiting local schools and seniors care facilities.
Kissel attributed a large part of his success to the people from this community that has been supportive of him, since the start of his career.
“St. Paul and the surrounding area have had such a huge impact, and it really means everything to come back here. St. Paul has been so supportive of everything I've done since the time I was a little kid learning to play guitar, so I think the opportunity to come back and give back to this community that is so important to me. It is truly special.&”
The show will also feature the local talents of Route 66, as well as another well known Canadian country music artist, Charlie Major, opening for Kissel on the big night.
The mayor was very excited to be a part of the announcement last week, and says he knows the event will be great for the town and the region.
“This idea was really a no-brainer for us, St. Paul is proud to be the hometown of Brett Kissel and to have him return with an event like this is very exciting,&” said Andersen.
Ticket prices have been set at $30, with an estimated 1,500 being sold, although that number could increase, as organizers aim to attract as many people as possible to the event.
“I'm very hopeful about the turnout for this event, I feel we have a very affordable ticket price with the current economic conditions in Alberta and specifically in this area. For $30, we hope we can deliver a big punch of great entertainment for everyone who shows up, preferably packing the Jaycee Ballpark with as many people as possible,&” says Kissel.
When asked about the feeling of coming home for what is likely one of the longest stretches he has had here after being gone for a large part of the past four years, Kissel says it will be great to return to the familiarity of this community and put on a show.
“I think that anybody who's ever left home to chase big dreams or success would cherish an opportunity to come back and just enjoy it with their community. I'll get to see all my buddies from high school, my teachers, just all my friends, and it really gives me a sense of pride to share the success that I've had with this community, because they have been a huge part of it.&”
Kissel also had a message for any young aspiring artists who aim to go out and take a shot at living the dream like he has.
“I think there's two pieces of advice, one of them is that being from a small town from a country music perspective is a great advantage, because you have great roots, a great work ethic, and many other important values can be instilled in your core by growing up in a small town. The second piece of advice is that hard-work always pays off.&”
Kissel went on to list off other St. Paul success stories, such as Calvin Volrath, Jamie Sadlowski, and Marcel Rocque, adding that for him and all of these other talented individuals, hard work has certainly paid off.
Tickets for the event go on sale April 7, and can be purchased on the event's website, www.brettkisselhometown.com, or at on of the event's three retail partners - St. Paul Power Merchants, Richardson's Jewellery, and the Town of St. Paul office.
