Cowboy singer back for encore in Aylesford

Alberta cowboy and country and western singer Randy Hollar was a big hit when he performed as part of last year’s St. Mary’s Concert Series.

The concert series committee was excited to hear Hollar, who admittedly fell in love with Nova Scotia during his first visit, was planning another trip to the Valley this month.

During his visit, Hollar, a Wilf Carter “sound-alike” and an extremely popular performer in his native Alberta, will once again perform a benefit for St. Mary’s to help with the ongoing recovery costs from a 2004 oil spill at the parish hall in Aylesford.

The concert will take place Sept. 30 at 2:30 p.m. at the Aylesford fire hall, with admission by freewill offering and all proceeds to the recovery fund.

“We were thrilled to hear that Randy liked Nova Scotia so much that he was planning another visit - and equally thrilled to hear he was willing to do us another concert,” says committee member John DeCoste.

“We’ve been overwhelmed with the generosity shown by all of our performers over the past three seasons, and Randy is no exception. We had many positive comments from our audience last year, and hopefully they will drop by again to hear him this time around.”

Hollar is actually doing three concerts during his time in the Valley. He performed in Canning last weekend, and anyone who missed his concert there - or liked it enough to want to hear him again - is encouraged to attend the Aylesford performance.

At the Aylesford show, Hollar will be joined on stage by fellow country music musician Caroll Edwards of Canning. Well-known Valley singer-songwriter Hughie McDonell of Dempsey Corner, a good friend of the St. Mary’s concert series, will open.

Hollar will also be doing a concert at the Kingston Legion Oct. 6, a “last chance” to hear him play and sing.