Daron Letts
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (July 20/05) - Musicians Pat Braden and Norm Glowach developed from the same Yellowknife music scene that Folk on the Rocks grew out of in 1980.

Back in the 1970s, most downtown bars showcased musicians six nights a week. Impromptu music jams happened a couple of times every summer on the beach near where Ruth Inch Memorial Pool now sits.

Folk on the Rocks keeps that musical spirit alive.

In the festival's early years, Braden used to cart his bass on the bus to play British folk songs under the trees. He's appeared on festival stages most years since 1982, performing solo and alongside other bands from near and far. A versatile musician, he fills the cracks wherever he's needed.

"Everyone has a different relationship with the festival," he said. "For local bands it provides something to work up to. You prepare your material and rise to the occasion knowing you'll be playing next to bands from the south."

One of his highlights was backing up the late Doug Sahm, a legendary Texas musician who played with Bob Dylan and Kris Kristofferson. Glowach shares the 1987 memory, one of his many highlights, from the festival.

The bands Glowach appeared with are a testament to the festival's musical diversity. They include the Red Devil Rock and Blues Band, the Jumpin' Jack Fish swing band, the Tom Hudson country band and back up for fiddler Collin Adjun.

It's his second year playing the festival with hard rock trio Rough Touch.

"Rap, punk, rock, country - you can access all those markets at the festival," he said. "We're starting to see more younger bands and I think it's great that that youthful energy is being tapped."

Rough Touch closed the beer garden stage on Sunday jamming with Sloan.

"The festival gives Yellowknife bands a chance to play with new musicians, which offers new challenges and new ideas," he said. "I look forward to seeing it 25 years down the road."