Blues brothers top Our Kids
They came to Vernon with high hopes –– two brothers armed with guitars and musical talent that belie their years on this planet.
And now just about everyone around the Okanagan, and B.C. for that matter, should remember the names Sam and Luke.
The Remedios brothers, who go by their first names on stage, came ready to rock the finals of the Our Kids Have Talent competition. And that’s exactly what they did at the Vernon Recreation Complex auditorium Saturday when they were announced the winners, taking home the grand prize of $5,000 plus the opportunity to return to Vernon and play this summer’s Rarearth Music Festival.
“We were utterly speechless,” said Sam, 18, who with his brother Luke, 15, sang and alternated playing lead and rhythm guitar to Santana’s Black Magic Woman at the event.
“Music is our life, and having been acknowledged by Vernon’s expert panel of industry judges, we feel we’ve been given the validation we need to continue along our musical journey.”
Drawing from influences such as Jimi Hendrix, Carlos Santana, Stevie Ray Vaughan, John Mayer and others, these blues brothers plan to use their winnings in the recording studio.
“The prize money will be put towards our upcoming songwriting trip to Nashville, where we’ll be working on new material to perform at Rarearth in August,” said Sam.
Out of the 10 finalists who played live in front of the 650-member audience, including volunteers children and the judges, duo Tangelo, featuring locals Kailee Duggan and Ryan Breitkreutz, were named best overall musicians of the night, and took home the second place prize of $2,000, while Fulton Secondary’s Mica Lemiski placed third, earning her $1,000.
Also receiving recognition were Peter McKillop for best overall marketer, who received a $1,000 website courtesy of Chuck Nelson of Outta Bound Artworks, Brandon Schmor for best overall performance, who received $350 from Jeff Wuolle of the Cracked Pot Emporium, and Black & White, featuring Shane Strom, Nick Everett and Neil Baird, who received best stage presence, sponsored by Andy Raeber of Century 21. They were presented with Back to Earth Enviro Products by Kiley Routley.
“I wish there could be 10 first place winners. Each and every one of these amazing musicians are so beyond talented it was mind boggling,” said organizer Kath Raeber. “I and many others commented a number of times, ‘I’m so glad I’m not a judge.’ It’s an impossible task, but thanks to Betty Anne Northup, Linc Belardo and Craig Carmody, they got the job done.”
Raeber also thanks the countless volunteers and sponsors who helped with the event.
Locals can next catch all the auditioners when they take Stage Right at the Rarearth festival, scheduled for Aug. 6 to 8 at Kin Race Track.
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