The Portfolio
The Armadillo
Story
ARMADILLO is a versatile country
band from southwest Manitoba. Their set list often contains
Classic and New Country with a handful of classic rock tunes thrown
in for good measure.
Their goal is to please the serious
country listener/dance crowd as well as entertain the rockin''
party crowd.
ARMADILLO have been playing a
number of years . Their gigs regularly include a mixture of nightclubs,
socials, weddings and big summer events mostly in southwestern
Manitoba. They can often be seen playing at the North 40 Saloon,
one of Brandon's top venues.
They have also played both years
at Melita's annual Straw Bale Boogie. This weekend concert
event found the band sharing the bill alongside acts such as Doc
Walker, Duane Steele, the Poverty Plainsmen and the Johner Brothers.
Other highlights include their
July 2 (99) and July 1(2000) gigs on the hilltop stage at Dauphin
Countryfest. Check
out the photos.
The members of ARMADILLO create
a dynamic sound as a result of their distinct playing styles.
The band members are:
Armadillo is continually working
new songs from today's country charts into their repertoire,
along with songs from crowd requests . They are also busy working
on original songs for a studio recording.
The band is currently scheduling
bookings in the southeast Saskatchewan and southern Manitoba
areas. If you are situated in this area, please keep them in mind
for your next function or event.
Back to Top
The "Unauthorized"
Biography
Formed in the early 1990's Armadillo
has become a fixture in the local music scene. It's members include:
Kelsey Schoonbaert
: Being born the illegitimate son of John Lee Hooker and Loretta
Lynn was a mixed blessing to young Kelsey as he was growing up.
Despite the impression his father's music made on him, it was
his mother's influence that was to guide him at first. However,
he soon gave up his ambition to act in Crisco commercials and
took up guitar playing. The world is a better place
today.
Steve Meggison
: Steve's influences include Mountain Music (Turtle Mountains)
and obscure African rhythm instruments. His "day job" as a farmer
means that he has both independent wealth and almost unlimited
spare time. This has allowed him to become one of the outstanding
bass players and vocalists in Manitoba.
Larry Gould :
Having grown up in the country music capital of Manitoba
(Melita), Larry is a veteran of the music scene. He started playing
drums at the age of two. By the time he was four he was playing
in bars. By the time he was eight he was behind bars. He spends
most of his band money on beer, music, and women. He just wastes
the rest.
Sandra Schoonbaert
: Sandra is an accomplished singer, who also plays keyboards,
mandolin, guitar and drums, and hopes to become more versatile
soon. As a teenager Sandra was kidnapped and brainwashed by the
rock group April Wine.
She is in fact the only country singer today to have recognized
the subtle but unmistakable April Wine influence in the music
of Patti Loveless. She not only has spotted Elvis on
numerous occasions, but has him living in her basement.
Ken Storie : Ken was adopted by Armadillo
after they found him in the back seat of a Greyhound bus, out on Highway
41. Or was it Route 66?
His memory is somewhat impaired, but he's pretty sure he was playing at a
high school dance in Kelsey's home town the night Kelsey was born (or perhaps
conceived).
Back to Top
