Inuvik (Jan 07/05) - The Delta Good Time Band could very well be the hardest working group of musicians in the North.

After completing a string of energetic holiday concert engagements, bassist Charlie Kasook says he is 'pooped.'

Fiddle maestro and band leader James Rogers.- Jason Unrau/NNSL photo

"I'm blistered out and everything," he said from his home Monday afternoon.

"We could get everyone into shape if they did aerobics (to our music)," added the group's funny man, who says he started playing music "about 100 years ago."

As part of the Delta Good Time Band, Kasook, along with fiddle and guitar man James Rogers and rhythm guitarist Angus Alunik, have been keeping people dancing (and laughing) in the Northwest Territories and beyond for more than 15 years.

And one doesn't really need aerobics when there's great music for jigging, two-stepping or square dancing for four to six hours - the usual length of a Delta Good Time Band Show.

"Some people say it's easy, but it's not," assured Kasook, who added that it's not uncommon to play Red River Jig - a crowd favourite - for two hours straight.

The band's current lineup has been in place since 1988, when Alunik replaced David Evalik.

The Good Timers went on to win a talent show at Inuvik's old arena on their very next performance. The original group got its name when, according to Kasook, "I said 'we play to let the people have a good time' and David and James said, 'well we should call the band that.'"

The rest, as they say, is history.

For Alunik, the best thing about being part of the band is seeing people enjoying themselves.

"It makes you feel good when you hear people yelling (their appreciation) and I feed off that energy from the crowd," said Alunik, whose favourite number to perform is Lone Star Rag.

Those who are concerned that old time music is losing its appeal amongst the youth can get some reassurance from Alunik, who says that he's noticing "more and more young people" at their dances.

A self-taught musician who began learning at an early age, fiddler and band leader Rogers recalls when he and his brother had only one guitar between them. In order to jam, Rogers went about constructing a makeshift guitar out of two tobacco cans and a guitar string.

"(When you) applied pressure with your feat you could pretty well get all the notes," he said.

Following his mastery of the homemade instrument, Rogers ordered a fiddle from Sears for $39. He would spend his days checking trap lines and his evenings in the bush practising the fiddle.

His influences are some of the Delta's legendary fiddlers, including Frank Cockney, Emmanuel Felix and Eli Norbert.

"I like playing country and blues a bit, too," said Rogers of his musical tastes.

So is the Delta Good Time Band really the hardest working band in the North?

"Well, I wouldn't say that but we're not like other bands who play for an hour then take a long break," he explained. "We take a quick step out for a smoke and then we're right back at it."

Let's hope the boys keep at it for many years to come.