Alouette River Band - Dr. & Mrs. Len & Sharon Hatlelid; Dr. Randy Moore; Denis Leclerc and Larry Conners.  - Over a decade ago, a group of local musicians gathered weekly in a little farmhouse on the bank of the north Alouette River in Maple Ridge to share an evening of bluegrass music, fun, and Sharon’s desserts. Over time, the group became known as the Alouette River Band and grew in skill and popularity as one of the most sought-after acoustical music groups in the Fraser Valley.  At present they are working on their second CD.

The Alouette River band performs a variety of traditional and contemporary bluegrass, gospel, swing, Celtic and original music as well. Instruments include guitar, stand-up bass, five-string banjo, mandolin, fiddle, flute and features very accomplished vocal harmonies.  The group takes it's music seriously, but never at the expense of occasional departures into silliness and humour.

Len Hatelid -  Len comes from many musical influences and is a very studious player. He is regarded as one of the hottest flat top guitarists in the area. He also sings lead and high harmonies in the band and is a songwriter. He is depended upon as the group’s “quality control man”, making sure everything about the music and its parts are consistent. Len grew up in Edmonton, Alberta.

Sharon Hatelid - Sharon is from a musical family in southern Alberta and, as well as being an accomplished musician, she also has a strong choral and ensemble history. She sings all of the lead female vocals in the band (which is very handy as the only female member) and powerful harmonies. She plays the stand-up bass, the flute and supervises the band’s vocal arrangements. 

Denis Leclerc - Denis grew up locally playing fiddle and banjo for the Arbuckle Barley Bluegrass band. Later, he co-founded Thunder Creek (nominated "Bluegrass Band of the Year” from 1982 to 1986 by the BCCMA). In 1996, he was invited to join Alouette River as fiddler, lead and back-up vocalist, songwriter, poet and general keeper of things from getting too serious on or off stage.

Larry Conners - Larry is originally from Bowmanville, Ontario, he has performed for over 30 years as a lead guitarist and vocalist with many well-known BC bands including "Duster" and "Cement City Cowboys". In the 80’s, the BCCMA nominated his combo "Country Duo of the Year”. Formerly of "Fiddler’s Kitchen", his hard-driving approach to the five-string is a welcome asset to the ARB and to the Ridge Meadows Opry.

JOE BOISVENUE - Joe was born in Moose Creek, Ontario.  In his early years he was singing and playing guitar in a Rhythm and Blues Band called “The Silver Tones” in Calgary, Alberta.  He has always been a country music fan and is now a member of the “Valley Bluegrass Music Society” in the lower mainland. When Joe joined our group he worked the spotlight and helped with stage setup, but also helps with the comedy portion of our show.

John (JC) Cadeau - Both a steel guitarist and a vocalist, JC is an active member of the Vancouver Musician's Assn.  He's an experienced, professional studio musician (his work includes The Canadian Country Music Awards Television Show, advertisements and dozens of local artists) working in lower mainland - Blue Wave, Little Mountain, Bullfrog, Pinewood to name a few.

He's performed professionally both locally and on the road in Canada & the US since 1963 - performing at night clubs, large stages and other musical venues.

His live performance highlights include several BCCMA Awards Shows; regular performances on the JR Country Radio Show (mid to late '80's); PNE Main Stage and most recently the Merritt Mountain Music Festival for several years.

In 1978 he was nominated for BC Country Music Associations Male Vocalist of the year award.  Over the years he's played many genres of music - country, jazz, blues, rock, etc.  He's worked with Elmer Tippe, Bobby G. Rice, Lindsay Mitchell, Tom Lavin, Jack Lavin, Tom Hearsey, Bob Marlowe, Jim Papp and many others.

Lou Earl & Eileen Brown - Known as "Lou & his Lady", Lou & Eileen  are seen throughout the lower mainland playing Country Music and Classic Rock and Roll.   Together they make a great team.  

Also known around the lower mainland as "Jigger Pine", Lou is an accomplished and professional entertainer with many years experience.  He's performed with such entertainers as Bobby Bare (Detroit City, Millers Cave) and Rockabilly legend Buddy Knox (Party Doll, Hula Love) and has performed on Juno-nominated recordings with many local musicians - including Evan Kemp, Elmer Tippe and the late Kenny Stockton.

Eileen is a relative newcomer to the professional music scene.  Her musical talent; however, is not new, but newly discovered ad comes from a lifelong love of singing.  Her sweet and charming voice not only blends well in duets with Lou but also lends it's unique qualities to solo performances.

Rick Moyer (aka Rockin Rick) - Rick is back with us for his 3rd year with our show and always keeps the audience hopping with his antics and great vocals.

Rockin Rick was born in Ontario, but moved to Vancouver at a young age.  Currently living in Maple Ridge, Rockin Rick has been singing most of his life and was in a soul gospel choir for years.  

Until the Ridge Hotel closed down you could always see Rick singing at the Country Jams on Sunday afternoon.  He’s worked at Safeway for many years and has his own business as a DJ for weddings and dances for all ages. 

Currently you can catch Rick at the Leisure Centre in Maple Ridge where he is DJ for the kids dance (by the pool) every third Friday.  Check out our News Page for details of who to contact re: times etc. or contact Rick direct at rockinrick@shaw.ca

Charlotte Kingsbury - We’re pleased to welcome back Charlotte for her 5^th year with our show.   Hawaiian and Country music go together naturally! With years of experience performing and dancing, Charlotte continues to dance hula in Maple Ridge with the Halau Hula Ka'uhane o ka Pakipika.  Charlotte teaches Pre-K (3-5 year olds) hula classes with the Halau.  Charlotte also is a fantastic singer and plays a great ukulele.  If you'd like to find out more about Hawaiian culture please contact Charlotte at charlotte.kingsbury@shaw.ca or Paddy Kauhane at www.hulaspirit.com.  

Jamye Leclerc - Jamye is now an old hand on the Ridge Meadows Opry stage - having performed many different characters and songs for the show.  In pursuing her third best love - the stage - she continues honing her remarkable skills in many choral and theatre projects, including her most recent work in Gilbert and Sullivan's "The Mikado".  She is pleased to be returning again to present brand new characters in comic situations as well as to sing a few old "favourites".

Emily & Michael Olexson  - "Prairie Pride", Michael and Emily Olexson, have appeared at many music festivals and special events throughout Western Canada.  You'll enjoy their harmony sound as they sing their songs and yodels.  

In addition to their personal appearances, Michael plays most stringed instruments and has worked as a studio musician on several CDs.  

Over the last year, Michael has been busy performing with "Bull Froggs", an acoustic bluegrass band.  They perform at the Merritt Mountain Festival, as well as many other venues.  We're pleased to welcome them back for their  7th year with the Ridge Meadows Opry.

Reilley Olexson - This is Reilley's 3rd time in our show.  She is a beautiful dancer and we're very proud to have her with us again.  

Reilley is 14 years old and loves to perform.  In addition to dancing, she studies piano and drama.    Reilley really loves to pur her heart and soul into everything she does.

This year you'll enjoy her beautiful voice as she sings the songs from the movie, Wizard of Oz.

Michael Puhallo - Mike is the most widely published Cowboy Poet in Canada, and perhaps the only one crazy enough to attempt to make a living from his poetry!  Our congratulations to Mike – he's the recipient of the Will Roger’s Award for Cowboy Poet of the Year for 2009.  Mike is the real thing!  He has been a working cowboy, a former rodeo cowboy and rancher, with six books and three CD’s of his poetry published.  A lot of his poems and speeches are based on history, which comes from being an avid student of the culture and history of the “real west”.  Mike was instrumental in establishing the BC Cowboy Hall of Fame and has served for many years as President of the BC Cowboy Heritage Society.

Mike is the only cowboy poet to have his work read into the official record at a NASA launch and in the Canadian House of Commons.  He not only performers at cowboy gatherings and festivals, but is now taking his poetry into schools, libraries and community halls throughout the West.  His poetry appeals to a broad audience, not just ranchers and working cowboys.

Mike has been with us since our first show and always is a great hit at our show.

Check out Mike's website - www.mikepuhallo.com for his weekly "Meadow Muffins" poems

Lisa Shepherd - As a Métis artisan, Lisa performs and teaches Métis dance, works in fabric art, leather and beadwork.  She comes from a theatre background and dances with the Louis Riel Métis Dancers, under the instruction of national jigging master, Yvonne Chartrand, and has performed throughout British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan.  Lisa teaches Métis dance at Métis Family Services and for the Fraser Valley and Chilliwack Métis Associations.  She believes in passing on of culture and tradition to our youth and is proud to have her son and one of her students dance beside her in this year's Ridge Meadows Opry.  To see some of Lisa's traditional artwork, go to www.lisashepherd.ca.  

Gabriel Shepherd - Gabriel has been jigging since he was 2 1/2 years old.  When he's not dancing, he is a race car.

David Wagner - Dave is back for his 7th year with the Ridge Meadows Opry.  Better known as the "Saltwater Cowboy", Dave is a long haul trucker.  He brings so many emotions to our show that the audience doesn't know whether they're going to cry or laugh - be prepared!  Dave cut a CD a few years back for his mother.  One of the songs was about a mom and how she aged through the years.  Dave's mom was so mad at him she wouldn't talk to him for 6 months.  She finally realized that it was tribute to her.  He's not singing the song this year but maybe we'll hear it at the next show.

Ed Wahl - Ed has been playing the guitar and singing most of his life, growing up in a very musical family in Prince Rupert, BC.  Ed loves to sing and has a very vibrant voice and stage presence.  Ed's musical preference has always been classic country, bluegrass and traditional local music.  He released his first CD in January 2009 (entitled "Off the Wahl - Country Classics by Ed Wahl" and has recently started up a band called "Off the Wahl".  He plays and sings at Legions, seniors' centres and private parties, and if hes not booked, most weekends you'll find him jamming around the Lower Mainland

Natasha Zimbaro - We'd like to welcome Natasha back for her 2nd year with the Ridge Meadows Opry.

 Some recent vocal highlights are:  winner of Cameo Starquest , For The Luv of It youth and pro, The Beat 94.5 Music Awards (Top 10 2007 & 2008), the ACT’s 5^th birthday celebration gala (hosted by Brent Butt from Corner Gas), the BC's 150^th Celebrations. Natasha was also the Resident Anthem singer for the Ridge Meadows Flames, last season & is their current “anthem girl” for the 08/09 season. She also sang numerous times for the Vancouver Giants and Chilliwack Bruins!

Natasha has had an extremely exciting & busy summer, some highlights include, performing at the Merritt Mountain Music Festival for the third year, BVJ in Alberta, Maple Ridge Country Fest, Maple Ridge Chamber Fest (opening for CHILLIWACK and The Headpins) and a finalist in The Red Robinson Talent Showdown 2008!

Wild West Cancan Dancers - this is a registered non-profit organization that is "raising money for charity, boosting members self-esteem and elevating spirits by lifting their skirts!"