Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Seven years ago, Conrad Nabess was a 19-year-old rhythm guitarist from Brandon, Man. on his first touring gig North of 60.

Seven years later, he's still here and he's still playing guitar.

"He's happy in Yellowknife," said Conrad's great uncle, Charles Nabess. "I'm really proud of him."

Music fans at the Gold Range can thank Charles for importing Conrad to Yellowknife.

He brought his great nephew with him for an eight-week gig at the Range back in 2001. The gig expanded to 10 weeks and then the guitarists moved on to play Fort Providence.

Sam Yurkiw, owner of the Range at the time, called the Nabbess boys back for another six weeks. A few months later, Conrad moved back to Yellowknife for good. He married Leanne, who he met at the Range, in 2006.

Charles and Conrad have played together in Hay River, Fort Resolution, Behchoko, Tulita, Wrigley and Norman Wells. They're reunited on stage again at the Range until the end of February.

"I learned a lot from Charles," Conrad said during a break in last Saturday's jam at the Range. "Stage etiquette, how to handle a crowd and speak on the mic and a lot of songs."

When his great uncle's not in town, Conrad often backs visiting musicians and plays with bands like North Country Rock and the Tone Rangers.

Conrad first learned guitar and fiddle growing up in northern Manitoba from his dad, Robert Bignell, and his older brothers Clinton, Kevin, Carl and Clayton.

"Conrad could go a long way as a musician," Charles said. "He vocalizes well. He has a good stage presence and good rhythm. If you were in a band he'd be the kind of guy you'd want with you on the road."

Conrad said he is happy to remain in Yellowknife, however.

"Of all the bars I like playing the Range because of the music and the people," he said. 'When the crowd is shouting out song requests it makes me feel good to sing them."

Charles and Conrad play on stage at the Gold Range every week along with Jeff Molner, Norbert Poitras, Alan Cardinal and a host of other musicians.

The popular jams are held Thursday evening and Saturday afternoon.