Frank Peters and Range Patrol are gearing up for a Music in the Park performance in Rimbey on June 27.
Presented by the Rimbey Public Library, the concert starts at 7 p.m.
"I have known Frank for many years - more than 20," said Rob Gilgan, the band's drummer. "He's a fellow volunteer with the Central Alberta Music Festival. His wife, Wendy, is our treasurer.
"During COVID, the Society decided to have a songwriting contest, the theme of which was, 'anything but COVID," he recalled with a laugh. Gilgan was one of the judges, and things ultimately ended up in a tie.
"We talked to both of the contestants, and they were quite comfortable with splitting the cheque. So we said, okay, here's the deal - you both come to the annual general meeting and sing your songs, and then we will give you the cheque!"
The day prior to the AGM, one of the bands called to say they couldn't make it due to illness.
But Frank was set to play. So he performed, but without the other band onhand, there was still time to fill. So organizers asked Frank to play a few more tunes.
"He's shy, but he was willing to do that," recalled Gilgan. "And so the next song he sang was called Wishing Well," recalled Gilgan. He, and of course the others at the meeting, were struck by what they heard.
The lyrics to that song are insightful, personal, and poignant - and they pointed to Frank's obvious giftedness as a songwriter, and as a communicator, too.
As Frank, who calls Lacombe home, continued to share more songs that evening, it became much clearer his songs also carried a rich authenticity.
A few weeks later, Gilgan was asked about backing up Frank, and at first he said no as it had been some time since he had performed.
But he changed his mind as he considered his buddy's talents, and these days, the guys have about 40 tunes in their repertoire. Rounding out Range Patrol - which officially launched in 2020 - are Lloyd Jackson and Rob Leier.
Gilgan describes their style as tapping into genres ranging from old-time country to folk to roots.
"Definitely country is at the front end of it."
Today, the bulk of what they perform is from Frank's own catalogue, with a few carefully-chosen cover hits - from artists such as Ian Tyson, Fred Eaglesmith, and the Mavericks - added to the mix.
"We want there to be a reminiscent element to it, and we want to perform tunes that audiences relate to as well. It's absolutely true. There is also an element of 'Canadiana' there - certainly with some of the expressions that Frank has written," said Gilgan.
"I really enjoy this music, and I enjoy everything that I see about it."
Ultimately, Gilgan said the first thing that comes to mind when he thinks about his friend is authenticity.
"He is also authentic to his music," he explained. "Frank has had a number of significant experiences in his life, and so his music is an opportunity for him to bring those situations to life through music.
That's also part of his striking creative vision - Frank feels that music is a means to draw attention to the 'real' things that we all go through, added Gilgan.
"He's very much an open book when you start listening to him, and hearing those lyrics."
Beyond Music in the Park, the band is also performing at the Weayaya Solar-Powered Music Festival July 5-6. Packed with a solid line-up of gifted, local artists, the festival is described as being a family-friendly, community-based event on the banks of the Blindman River on a farm between Bentley and Rimbey.
For complete details and ticket information, head to www.weayaya.com or find Weayaya Solar Powered Music Festival on Facebook.
