Jason Unrau
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Apr 02/04) - Hanging out on a film set with an original Charlie's Angel or laying down a fat bass line for Vancouver bluesman Mike Shau, for the Big River Band's Kevin Moir, that and so much more have been part of the musical journey for the 37-year-old bassist.

Big River Band bass player Kevin Moir on stage at the Mad Trapper, where Moir and the band entertain six nights a week.

While the music industry is filled with wannabe-idols who would sell their souls for a nickel to become famous, Moir has forged an interesting career path by being true to himself and achieving one simple goal.

"Maybe I don't set my sights very high, but I just wanted to be able to earn a living playing music," he said between sets at the Mad Trapper Monday. "And I've done that."

And so much more.

Not one to boast about his accomplishments, Moir's professional musician's resume is extensive.

After studying classical guitar with a minor in cello for a year at Cambrian College in Sudbury, Moir returned to his home in the Yukon to hone his skills in a band with his brother Chris and cousin Lorin.

Lack of Communication

Calling themselves Lack of Communication, the boys gigged around the Whitehorse region.

Highlighting the often serendipitous nature of the entertainment business, Moir found himself appearing in a film featuring Charlie's Angel Kate Jackson after the band impressed her film crew.

"But you can't dwell on that," said Moir of his brush with film and fortune, which would not be his last.

Moir also appears in the soon-to-become-cult-classic The Elvis Project, a documentary that followed Tagish Elvis on his Yukon tour in the summer of 2001.

This summer Moir is going to Las Vegas to play bass for Tagish and promote the film at the gambling mecca's annual film festival.

But behind the glitz and glamour of celebrity scenarios are the long, often lonely miles on the road, the calloused fingers and hard work involved in earning a living playing music.

Countless festivals

Moir says he has been playing with the Big River Band -- which currently includes Louie Goose (guitar, lead vocals), Mark Stevens (lead guitar, vocals) and Pete Smith (drums) -- on and off for three years.

During this time and previous to it, Moir has played in countless festivals, appeared on stage at the International Folk Alliance's festival and at Yale, Vancouver's biggest and best-known blues club.

Though band Lack of Communication is in the past, Frozen Bones is Moir and his brother Chris' most recent ensemble, which according to Moir is reactivated now and ready to do its rock'n'roll duty.

No stranger to the studio, Moir has provided not only his bass services, but also his ability to arrange songs on several recording sessions for a variety of artists.

Moir and his brother also have their own five-song EP entitled Moir Brothers Forever, which features five original tunes.

Always one to encourage the talents of other musicians, Moir also did a stint working for RAIYA (Recording Arts Industry of the Yukon Association), serving on several boards during his tenure there.

But playing on stage is what Moir enjoys almost as much as following the path where the music takes him.

Music fans are fortunate that right now, Moir's path has brought him to Inuvik.