Canadian country music star and Telemiracle host Beverley Mahood will take the stage at the Arcola Optimist Club's final concert of the season on Thursday, April 21 at the community's historic MacMurray Theatre.
“She was originally going to come here right after Telemiracle,” says Glen Lawson of the Arcola Optimists. “But the timing didn't work out for a concert then. She's currently opening up for Tom Cochrane on his current tour, so it worked out for her to come on April 21st. We're really looking forward to having Beverley perform here at the Mac.”
“Anyone who's seen her-either at a show or on Telemiracle-can see what an engaging, multi-talented performer she is.”
Mahood 's career as a singer has grown to encompass songwriting, television hosting, acting and modelling. She is also a keen supporter of many charities-including the Alberta Children's Hospital, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the David Foster Foundation and CIBC's Run for the Cure.
She divides her time between Ontario and Nashville, but says Saskatchewan holds a special place in her heart. As the host of Telemiracle for the past 19 years, Mahood says the broadcast gave her “a crash course in public speaking.”
“I haven't missed a year (at Telemiracle) and I'll keep coming back for as long as they ask me,” she says. “Telemiracle was one of the first things presented to me as an artist. I had no idea that I would have to speak-back then, I found it hard to even speak between songs.”
“Now you can't shut me up,” she laughs. “But really, Telemiracle was my crash course in public speaking. My manager didn't tell me I'd have to host. When I finished singing, he said: 'Oh no, Beverley, you've got to stay out there and host. You're going to do it.'”
“And I did. I also fell in love with what Saskatchewan does, “ says Mahood. “People just helping each other because it's the right thing to do and not because there's anything in it for themselves. There's nothing more authentic than that. That's the real thing that Telemiracle and the people of Saskatchewan do.”
Mahood says she is looking forward to bringing her show-and band- to the Mac, saying: “I'm thrilled to be performing at the MacMurray Theatre. I've heard really great things about the hall and the community from Victoria Banks and Phil Barton when they performed their Bluebird Cafe show in Arcola. I love performing in smaller communities, because the audiences really listen and the performance is more intimate. It's a real pleasure to engage with those audiences.”
Mahood says that even people who says they “aren't country fans” will enjoy her show.
“I have a show where everyone can be engaged and have fun,” she says, adding: “I always try to bring the stories to the songs. Where did it come from? How did it come to be? And my (band) guys and I have a lot of fun onstage, too.”
“We'll be sticking around after the show to meet people-for photos and autographs and we'll have some music for sale, too.”
“I'm really looking forward to returning to Saskatchewan to perform.”
Beverley Mahood and her band perform at Arcola's MacMurray Theatre on Thursday, April 21 at 8 p.m. Advance tickets for the show are $20 and tickets at the door are $25. Call Glen at (306)-577-3250 or Blake at (306)-577-9904 or contact any Arcola Optimist member for advance tickets. Advance tickets are also available at Arcola Pharmacy and Chapman's Fine Foods in Arcola and at Michael's Coffee Shop and Bakery in Carlyle.
