Julie Druker | Oct 01, 2015


The annual free Abrams Brothers concert, which took place at the John Thomson hall in Snow Road on September 27, was not surprisingly a standing room only affair. The show opened with grandparents Wayne and Mary Abrams revving up the crowd with some old time country favorites.

John Abrams was then joined onstage by his new wife Alex and the two sang “Falling Slowly”, the song that was played at their wedding at an Irish castle, which took place earlier this year.

John was then joined by Dad Brian and the two played a few rousing duets and were joined by banjo player Glen MacDonald. James finally appeared along with granddad Wayne on stand up bass and the five raised the bar a notch with their lively version of Nancy Griffith's “Cross the Great Divide”. They did a fast and furious version of the Stanley Brothers' “I am a Man Thomas” and also played the legendary tune “Reuben’s Train”, which they said may have accounted for the heart attack that Harold Bonner suffered and survived.

The two brothers then took to the stage for the second set of the show, with James demonstrating that not only is he a vocal talent, a master fiddler and so much fun to watch but an adept banjo player as well. John was equally in fine form, his vocal leads packing a punch and with his guitar solos matching his younger brother’s note for note. Together they whipped up the kind of instrumental fury that they have become so well known and respected for.

Their enthusiasm was shared by listeners, many new to the annual show and some sitting with mouths agape in awe. The brothers played originals like Northern Redemption, and The Tin Man, the latter a song inspired by their long stretches away from home, friends and family. Their original titled “The Walls of Jericho” was inspired by a recent trip to Israel and their cover of the classic “In Constant Sorrow” was lightning fast and furious and shows how these two brothers, who have been playing together for years, have risen to the cream of crop. They showed off their mellower side with a cover of “Brown Eyed Girl” and as always left their local fan base of listeners wanting more.

The Abrams family dedicated this year’s concert to Dale Gemmill, who passed away earlier this year and who was remembered fondly by members of the family and the local community. Free will offerings collected at the event were donated to the Snow Road volunteer firefighters in Dale's honour.

Photo 23924- the Abrams family concert at the John Thomson hall in Snow Road. L-r: James, John, Brian & Wayne Abrams, and Glen MacDonald

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