Some good old boys doing what they love and the generosity of the Foothills community has resulted in a healthy outcome.
Country singers George Canyon, who calls north of Okotoks home, and Aaron Pritchett, performed three one-hour concerts at the Big Screen Harvest Party at the Sunset Drive-in in High River Oct. 2. Proceeds from the shows went to the High River and District Health Care Foundation.
"Last drive-in I was at was with mom and dad as a kid," a smiling Canyon said after joining Pritchett on stage for a rousing rendition of Folsom Prison Blues to end the first performance. "It was fantastic to be part of something at home. To help make a difference to the High River and District Health Care Foundation means a lot to us. That is why we did it."
During his first set, Dr. Keith Spackman did a little dancing with wife Faye and some grandchildren.
Canyon knows the good doctor has staying power. The country singer's children were delivered by Spackman.
For the first child, son Kale, Canyon's wife was in labour for 31 hours.
"Twenty-seven of which were right here in High River," Canyon said. "And Dr. Spackman, who was here dancing tonight and I saw him, he delivered both our kids. Kale wouldn't come out so they took us to the Rockyview and Dr. Spackman came in as well.
"That's what small town communities are about to me."
As for the drive-in, Canyon had more fun at Sunset than a kid downing Junior Mints during a late-night double feature.
The tough part was not being able to hear the PA system because the music was being piped into cars' FM stereos, he explained.
"It was like what's happening out there," Canyon said with a chuckle. "But everybody had it cranked in their cars... The cool part was to be in an actual drive-in."
The proceeds go to the foundation's Greatest Needs project.
Those needs are identified by local health-care heroes — doctors, nurses, hospital staff and public health-care professionals.
The High River and District Health Care Foundation's Local Heroes help serve the health needs in Foothills County, High River and Nanton.
