Surprisingly, the Owl was also packed, Sept. 4 for the return of Fernie’s Shred Kelly and local outlaw/ alternative country band the Coal Creek Boys.
 Shred Kelly was up first with a solid set of upbeat rock/ roots, but with more of an emphasis on the rock than the roots.

There was some upbeat banjo and mandolin and addictive energy which had a good sized crowd dancing pretty much from the start.

 They played  most of the music from their  CD including a couple of my favourites “Ghost In my Head,” and everyone’s favourite “I Hate Work.”

 The Coal Creek Boys had their work cut out for them after Shed Kelly’s incendiary set.

But they were more than up to the challenge, carrying on the momentum as they played a set of mostly upbeat originals. I couldn’t hear much of Ali Stuart’s singing, but lead singer John Paul Smith played some apt leads and lead the band through an energetic set of countrified fun. 

Devin Gergel, Dino Scavo and drummer Dustin Gergel held down the  upbeat beat.

 “Old 97 was a highlight as was  their “I hate work” song about working in a coal mine.