Phil Boyer has big plans

Page 12

At 23, Phil Boyer has not yet put a band together but he is sure giving it a lot of thought of late. The young, talented, and ambitious man is in a new phase of life, having recently, cut an album under Winnipeg's Sunshine label. This was largely the result of his winning a talent show, one of many Boyer has already won.

Last summer, Boyer latched onto first place in the "Back to Batoche Days" talent contest. In consequence, one of his prizes was 10 free hours of studio time at Sunshine.

This past spring, Boyer took advantage of that gift and did a taping session. The result, was a new and first album entitled, "Slow Country" recently released.

The album, also available on cassette, contains 10 songs, four of which are Boyer's own compositions. One is a lively two-step ballad called "Loui Riel." Another is an easy-going George Straight type captioned "The Waltz." "Please Come Home" is a love ballad and "Say You Love Me," is a two-step, that is probably his best self-composition which has great back up and a pleasing melody.

The remaining six numbers include country chart hits: Seven Spanish Angels, Heavenly Bodies, The Cowboy Rides Away, She's Not Really Cheating, Wait a Little Longer, and I've Been Around Enough to Know.

The songs do not jump out at you with dynamism or high energy. Rather, they extend soft and even vocals of this new artist from Saskatoon, who not only possesses

a vitality and quality which one must experience for themselves, but also versatility complemented by a wonderfully controlled vibrato often lacking by other beginning artists. Boyer's backup comes from two member of the popular Harvey Henry Band -Paul Kelly on base and Craig Fotheringham on lead, keyboard and synthesizers. Fiddle and lead guitar is performed by C. C. Weed's Clint Dutiaume; drums by Don Yuel and steel guitar by Art Alyea.

A late bloomer, Boyer did not master the guitar until 1980 but now does so with the proficiency of the veteran.

Boyer may not be what one would term a "polished "artist but he's come a long way and is steadily improving with each passing day.

Born at Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, and the third of nine children to Rose and Felix, Boyer has always had a love for country music and a hankering to do something about it.

He won his first talent contest at the tender age of six on the local television show then known as "Tiny Talent" in Prince Albert. After that, there as no looking back as he continued to win competitions, the most significant being his first place win in 1985, at the annual Back to Batoche Days. "That win holds a special place in is heart because'85 was the centenary of the 1885 Northwest Resistance and Boyer has very strong alignments to his cultural heritage and Metis ancestry.

Boyer has always found an essential element-support in his family; his parents, from brother and four sisters. All have been a strong influence and worked to help him achieve one of his goals, to record.

While he continues to draw ever closer to a music career, Boyer is slated to entertain in Winnipeg during Country Music Week and this month at the Back to Batoche Days in Saskatchewan where he will be promoting and marketing his new release, ""Slow Country."