By Jessica Schwitek, Black Press
Canadian Fiddle Champion Scott Woods had the music in his soul before he even picked up the instrument at the age of five.
He'll be in Revelstoke with his band to perform at the United Church on Sunday, May 29, but he began in Ontario after being born into a family that was rarely seen without instruments in their hands.
Not only was Woods the youngest of four siblings, all of whom played the fiddle, his father was also a fiddle player. In fact, the instrument helped the family come into being.
"My dad played the fiddle, and was in a band. And he hired a piano player, who later became my mother," he said, remarking on how important music was to his family on many different levels.
"Music was always part of our routine. We all had to practise our instruments before we could do other things, like play outside."
The hard work paid off. The family formed a band, and even today Woods and his siblings continue to perform in some way. That does not mean, however, that music was always the career plan.
"I actually didn't think I would be a musician. I never wanted to have to open the case to put food on the table," said Woods. Because of this he diversified his skills and went to business school, eventually starting a career in real estate.
(Watch Scott Woods do a somersault while fiddling in the video below)
Slowly music and performing started to take on a bigger role in his life, and real estate more or less moved to the back burner.
"I've been really fortunate, I've gotten to travel Canada more times that you can imagine, and I've seen places you normally wouldn't get to," said Woods. He's performed out west at least 30 times, he estimated, and tours this part of the country about this time every year. As you can imagine, he's built up quite a regular following.
"There's a lot of people who come to all our shows, but that doesn't mean they're seeing the same thing over and over again. We're very aware of that, so the performance is always new, always fresh," he said.
For those of you who have seen him before, he's been to Revelstoke multiple times, you can expect a different show. But it will still contain the foot-stomping, old-time fiddle music that reminds us of simpler times. Not to mention Woods' trademark, some trick fiddle playing that will have him doing somersaults and walking on a barrel.
Scott Woods performs at the United Church on Sunday, May 29, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults, $10 for children 6–12 and free for kids five and under. They are available at the church and the community centre. Proceeds from the show will go to support the United Church.