The Slice was sold out for an Alberta Music event featuring local singer -songwriter Alyssa McQuaid, the Dudes and a surprise visit from Calgary alt-country band, Cowpuncher, Nov. 12.
So the sold out crowd not only got a taste of outstanding Alberta music, but also raised a lot of money for the Interfaith Food bank as that’s where all of the proceeds from the $15 tickets were going.
While I missed Alyssa McQuaid‘s half hour set of originals, I was blown away by Cowpuncher’s five guitar attack.
They combined elements of Tom Petty’s roots rock with Fred Eaglesmith’s storytelling lyrics and a little bit of the Band’s laid back feel.
But they were just getting warmed up by the end of their 45 minute set, which had most of the crowd on their feet.
They had the audience singing along by the last song “Thank God for Lonely Nights,” which had a guitar riff reminiscent of “Ghost Riders in The Sky.”
One of the guitarists, Tynan Groves picked up the banjo to add even more twang to the proceedings.
But everybody was there to hear the Dudes and all crowded in front of the stage even before they began.
They did not disappoint as the locked into an energetic, upbeat set of ’60s inspired pop rock with vocal melodies and catchy guitar and a frenetic drummer.