The Dog Mountain Dixie band is performing at Chilliwack Public Library Nov. 6 in a return engagement of their popular show “Songs that won the War.”
When the Second World War began Canada had just suffered through a depression. Suddenly in the early days of September 1939 the nation was drawn into a gigantic conflict. The popular culture of those dark days quickly shifted to war-themed entertainment including song hits by American and Canadian performers. Singers like the Andrew Sisters, Connie Haines and the popular Happy Gang.
Movies provided entertainment with musical formats and the big band performers made cameo visits. Thus was born “Songs that Won the War.” Hit music that stirred the souls both on the home front and in the theatres of war.
The programme of music by the Dog Mountain Dixie band will feature a long list of well- known songs from the Second World War.
“We call the performance a stroll down memory lane,” says band clarinettist and former military musician and writer Jack Kopstein.
“This concert by the group will feature songs of sentimental humour, including titles that are well known and beloved music that never seem to go out of style,” he said. All the instrumentalists of the group are presented in this one hour library programme. Banjo-Tenor Saxophonist Roy Morice forms the centre-piece of the group, with his eminent styling of tunes he grew to know and love. The announcer is percussionist Bob Brown is well known to radio audiences.
“In many ways,” said Kopstein, “the period from 1939 to 1945 was a boom time for the arts in Canada. Radio was at its peak, with the wonderful groups that plied the airwaves in support of the war effort. We are happy to emulate the tradition of the songs which alleviated the pain and suffering of our service personnel and the people at home.”
The performance starts at 2 p.m. at the downtown Chilliwack branch. Organizers suggest people come early; seating is limited.