A few weeks ago, Codie Prevost was helping his dad wrap up seeding operations at the family farm midway between Archerwill and Rose Valley.
It’s a long way from the recording studios of Nashville, but it’s very close to the award-winning country singer’s roots – and his heart.
“Over the last year and a half, the downturn in the music business has turned out to be a bit of a blessing in disguise, because it’s meant I’ve spent more time at the farm,” said Prevost, who, along with his wife Ashley and two young daughters, now calls Martensville home. “I was fortunate to be raised in a rural community where people support each other and care about each other.
“I think that really helped shape my outlook on life and I try to reflect that in my music.”
Prevost is slated to take the stage for two acoustic solo performances at the Cork and Kettle in Warman on Saturday, June 19. The concerts, which will conform to all public health guidelines and are limited to an audience of 44 people at each, are fundraisers for the Martensville and District Kinsmen Club.
Opening for Prevost at both concerts is Carlyne Ray, a talented young singer-songwriter from Osler.
“When the COVID-19 pandemic shut everything down in March last year, it was pretty shocking,” said the 34-year-old Prevost. “The last few years leading up to that point were busy, with shows being booked and contracts being signed. And then, within one week, literally everything was cancelled.
“On the flip side, I used the time to continue writing songs and did some online concerts.”
But it’s the live shows, and the direct connection with an audience, that get a musician’s blood pumping. For Prevost, the Cork and Kettle show will be only his second live performance since March of last year.
“It’s not the size of the crowd that counts,” said Prevost. “It’s the experience. Last February we played a show in Saskatoon for an audience of 30 people, and everyone was wearing masks, including myself and the band. I’ve never sung through a mask before, so that was interesting, but in the end we all had a blast.”
Prevost said he’s excited about the Warman show, where he’ll feature some new material in addition to his more well-known songs.
“It’ll be fun,” he said. “I’m looking forward to the interaction with the audience. The first show is for all ages, so hopefully there will be some children there.
“I have two young daughters myself. I haven’t written a lot of kids’ songs but I’ve learned quite a few.”
Prevost said he was inspired to pursue a carrer in music by his mother and uncle, who both played guitar and sang classic country tunes at family reunions.
He started out in his teens playing shows in his local communities, and later paid his dues performing classic country and rock ‘n roll cover songs in bars. When he decided to make music his full-time career his hometown helped him raise enough money to get to Nashville, where he recorded his first album in 2005 and worked with veteran songwriters.
Since then, he’s recorded four albums; opened for big-name bands and artists, including Emerson Drive, Joe Nichols, the Oak Ridge Boys, Florida-Georgia Line and Garth Brooks; and won numerous awards from both the Canadian and Saskatchewan Country Music Associations.
Prevost said he’s happy to do a benefit concert for the local Kinsmen Club, whose members come from many communities in the region.
“They do a lot of good work and help a lot of people,” said Prevost. “There’s a Kinsmen Club in almost every community in the province, and Telemiracle is one of the most important fundraisers in Saskatchewan.”
Rob Spence, who operates an accounting business in Warman and is a member of the Martensville and District Kinsmen Club, said Prevost agreed without hesitation to do the benefit concert in Warman.
“I just asked him and he said, ‘sure’,” said Spence. “It was then just a matter of lining up a venue. The Cork and Kettle was able to accommodate us. We were just going to do one show initially, but the manager of the restaurant said, ‘hey, we can do two shows if you want’.” It’s a great location and the sound is terrific.”
Spence said there are still tickets left, especially for the early show, but they’re selling fast.
Tickets are $30 each and are available online by clicking on a link on Codie Prevost’s facebook page.https://www.facebook.com/codieprevostmusic