kentucky eileen

Joshua Smith

Dan Tait

Sam Balson

Mitch Howanyk

Mitch

Sam

Dan

Joshua

Ketucky Eileen slotted in at Red Bird Brewing out in their huge parking lot in what turned out to be a pretty nice Saturday afternoon weather-wise. Red Bird is a very popular craft brewery here in Kelowna, and Kentucky Eileen has become one of the city's favourite bands.

The combination of Joshua Smith on guitar, Dan Tait on bass, Sam Balson on mandolin and Mitch Howanyk on fiddle brings together not just some of Kelowna's best songwriters, but some of it's best musicians as well. (While Balson is from Vancouver, the rest of these guys live here.)

Kentucky Eileen weaved a magical musical mosaic of pure Canadiana originals sung as only the songwriters themselves could, and played with an ease that almost made you lose sight of the level of musicianship these guys possess. Solos were woven into many of the songs but were never over-the-top or in-your-face. Instead they played a supportive role; supportive of the song and of the vibe that all in attendance were treated to.

I have yet to see any one of these players in a gig that didn't put a smile on my face. Together, as this band, it's always an ear-to-ear grin.