3 18> Terrace Review — Wednesday, June 25, 1986 Country soun TERRACE — In the world of Canadian coun- try music the Mercey Brothers are a success story like no other. ‘The Mercey Brothers presented a concert at the R.E.M. Lee Theater June 13, sponsored by radio station CJFW-FM. Sometimes, when you talk to the brothers, you forget they are musi- cians. Dressed casually they resemble your next door neighbors. They are the kind of guys you'd expect to have a chat with over the backyard fence while cutting the grass. From a quiet little town of Elmira, Ontario just outside Waterloo, the Merceys have become one of the hot- test country acts in Canadian country music. The Mercey Brothers, however, are also businessmen, They oversee an operation that includes song publishing, a record label (MBS Records), management of other artists, and The Elmira Jingle Factory which produces commer- cial jingles for radio and television use. At one time the brothers owned MBS Studios, a complete modern recording studio which produced some notable albums from the likes of Terry Carrise, and Wayne Rostad plus all of their own records, The Mercey Brothers sold the recording studio to concentrate on other aspects of the business and it has paid off, At one time the musi- cians used to entertain in pubs, lounges and bars, said Lloyd, and a lot of people are out there right now doing that because they have to eat. “‘We have over the years been able to build ‘up a The Mercey brothers (back row, center) Lloyd Mercey, and & Larry Mercay (back row, right), recently entertained a crowd a of Just over 400 at the A.E.M. Lee Theatre In Terrace. On & hand to greet the country group were CJFW radio broad- } casters Mike Reld (back, Jeft), Stefania Webber (front, teft), sand Monique Kapel. number of small busi- nesses, and because the group is so diversified, it has given us the chance to expand on what's available in the music business.’’ If you talk to the fellows about success, they are modest, but at the same time will not hesitate in telling you success is not an over- night thing. “Winning awards lets you know that what you are doing is right,’’ said Larry. ‘‘We’ve been lucky all through the years to always have been nominated where there is any kind of award, In the last 20 years we’ve been able to Membership drive on TERRACE — The In- dependant Order of Oddfellows and Rebekahs of Terrace, Hazelton and Prince Rupert held a joint meeting recently on the visit of Grand Master John Peterson and Margaret Gower, presi- dent of the Rebekah Assembly of the Grand Lodge of British Colum- bia and her Marshall Mrs. Robert Stevenson. A banquet was provid- ed by the Skeena Valley Rebekah Lodge and the honored guest enlighten- ed the members on the work of the order. The Grand Lodge‘has provid- ed funds for new equip- ment to treat eye pro- blems at the Vancouver General Hospital and training for eye specialists. A new senior citizens’ residence has been built in Kelowna this past year, which brings the total condominium centers to 12 in the pro- vince. Local assistance was given to Terraceview Lodge and the Mills Memorial Hospital. The lodge has also sponsored a student to the United Nations pilgrimage, as well as bursaries for pro- mising students. Grants were also given to needy members. A membership drive is being promoted by the Sovereign Grand Lodge with prizes being given to the lodge getting new or reinstating former members. If you are interested in joining the lodge, please contact a member of either lodges or phone 635-3995, evenings only. io pL? OER keep abreast of what is going on at the time. That’s being able to change with the times and having good people working for us,’’ Larry added. Lloyd said the music business is an up and down sort of thing and it has been for the Mercey Brother too. 1970 saw the group at the very top with a couple of songs **Hello Mom’’ and ‘*Who Wrote the Words.”’ Their ups have been more consistent than their downs. As men- tioned over the past 20 years the group has ‘always had one or two songs that have made the top five. 1986 however is shap- ing up to be their best year ever, Four singles from their © Court Michael Fogarty was fined $75 in Terrace pro- vincial court on Tues- day, June 3, for a viola- tion of the Narcotics Control Act. In Terrace provincial court on Tuesday, June 3, Allan Chester was fin- ed $300 and sentenced to seven days in jail for a violation of the Motor Vehicle Act, On Wednesday, June 4, in Terrace provincial court Solomon Marsden was fined $400 and given a six-month suspension of driving privileges for driving with a blood alcohol content greater than 80 mgs. Danlele Berquist photo # latest album have made the top 10 and they won a Juno Award (their seventh) as Canada’s Top Country Group of the Year. 1985 wasn't bad either, winning the Top Country Group of the Year award from the edin Terrace . the songs that are record- Academy of Country Music Entertainment. (The Family Brown has won the award nine years in a row), What about Nashville and the United States? “We're still working on the market’’, said Larry. ‘“‘What a lot of people don’t realize is the American music we hear in Canada is the very best the U.S. has to’ offer. We don’t hear all ed, just the very best, so Canadian artists are competing with some pretty good music. Lloyd added, ‘‘The recording industry in Canada is pretty new, but we are getting to the point where it is just as good as the American product and in some cases it is better.’” *‘We are very happy with the success we have had as a country group in Canada” said Larry, After their stop in Ter- race the Mercey Brother were off to Smithers for last weekend’s Rodeo, then it was home to Elmira for four days with the family, and a couple of weeks in Holland, Finland and Sweden for a series of concerts. “Tf it wasn’t for radio station CJFW-FM, we wouldn't be here,”’ said Larry. The group received a standing ovation and did an encore to close off their concert. After the show the brothers Larry and Lloyd, and band members Eric Mahar and John Dymond sign- ed autographs and talked with their fans in the foyer of the R.E.M. Lee Theatre. | They promised to come back to Terrace again! A a y Terrace ERG Dining Directory eclhe nn | Place leThe | Fine Dining in quiet surroundings! 5:00 p.m. — 10:00 p.m. @ tds ST 4620 LAKELSE AVE.638-8141 ira) Delicious homemade GIM’S European & Canadian Cuisine RESTAURANT — Licensed premises Chinese Smorgasbord Mon to Sat........ 8:00 a.m.-9:00p.m. Monday to Friday Closed Sunday Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. rt . Friday to Sunday yy Northland Delicatessen Dinner: 5-8 p.m. E 4621 Lakelse Ava., 635-2833 4843 Park Ave. 835-6111 4717 LAKELSE AVE . | | IDONUT esc. | Ole’s Place Lakelse Lake FACTORY i p= ] FACTORY Sandwiches, Mufilns, Donuts, Cakes, Coffee, Sunday Smorgasbord - 5 to 9 p.m. for Family Dining for reservations: PH: 798-2231 ‘Tea, Hot Chocolate, Visit our Milk, Pop. Neighbourhood Pub soon! $ 4 AN y AN A touch of. fine dining Specializing in Chinese Take-Out Service 3 Open 7 days a week -SPARERIGS Culsine and Canadian. Ham. 11pm. Weekday et Dishes 4-40 pm. Sun, & Holidays | bide TM * Fon. Oo O164 Crea ‘4644 Lazelle Ave., Terrace