The Wheat in the Barley
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Meet the Wheaties!

Canadian Folk-Funk Fusion Phenoms

The Wheat in the Barley first hit the stage with what some have described as a Celtic/Slavic brew of high-energy instrumental music. Since then, after more than decade of delivering hundreds of electrifying shows, they have evolved into a true Canadian roots band drawing on our rich heritage coast to coast. Their creative arrangements are full of surprises, featuring trilling pennywhistles, rhythmic accordion, bluesy mouth-harp, passionate violin, searing saxophone and more, all against a backdrop of one of the finest rhythm sections in Southwestern B.C.  Their storied songs feature up to 5-part vocal harmonies.

They have created fresh and innovative interpretations of French Canadian fiddle tunes and Maritimes songs, as well as original songs written by leader Steve Gidora and fiddler Nicole Scoffield, and rollicking instrumentals written by multi-instrumentalist Victor Smith. Multi-wind specialist Mark Dowding on flute, whistles, harmonica and saxes, bassist Mickey Hovan, and percussionist Ed Johnson (also drummer for Brickhouse) add a special edge and energy to everything they do. Together, they light a roaring fire under a multi-cultural cauldron of folk music, funky rhythms and fun for all!

“What do you have to do to follow an act like that? Set your beard on fire??”
Valdy, Panorama Music Fest 2005

The Wheat in the Barley are equally at home mesmerizing audiences from a concert stage or laying down irresistible grooves for the crowd on the dance-hall floor.  The Wheaties are available for community concerts, special events and festivals in four to six-piece configurations. 
 

Steve Gidora
 The group's name evokes images of Irish and Ukrainian agriculture, which sums up the heritage of its founder, Steve Gidora. Both sides of the family were very musical, and Steve received his first mandolin from his Ukrainian grandfather at the age of 10.  Since then he has played with many Vancouver artists and served in the schools as a music teacher in Langley, BC, as well as providing vocals, mandolins and guitar with the band.  In recent years a passion for songwriting has overtaken him, resulting a many new originals, some of which now grace the fourth CD. Steve has shared the stage with folk singers such as Ann Mortifee and Charlotte Diamond and his groups have opened for the legendary Pete Seeger and Odetta.
 Another well-known member of the group is a gifted Celtic music interpreter respected for decades of outstanding work with other outstanding Vancouver folk groups such as Under the Moss, The Stoaters, Fear of Drinking, Shenanigan and the Paperboys. His instrumental arsenal includes accordion, whistles, violin, flutes, guitar, bohdran drum and bones. His discerning ear is evident in Grandad, the group's second CD, which he co-produced together with Steve, as well as producing several tracks on After the Battle and full production credit on Can't Draw the Curtain.
 Victor Smith
Mark Dowding
   Woodwind specialist also a co-founder of the respected Gypsy jazz group The Hot Club of Mars, is a veteran of numerous folk festivals and concert stages across western Canada. He creates elegant melodies, harmonies and counterpoints on a wide range of wind instruments, including various types of flutes, whistles, saxophones and harmonicas. Over a long and storied musical career, he has guested with many Canadian folk music icons such as Valdy, The Paperboys, Sylvia Tyson and Stan Rogers. Mark also handles the group's website and multimedia production through his new-media production company, WindGod Productions.
The group's newest member is violinist whose brilliant improvisations and lively stage presence add a sparkle to their live performances. She also sings beautiful lead and harmony vocals and occasionally switches to guitar. Nicole is also seen with her own group, the Red Hot Strings, and teaches violin several days a week in her own studio in Vancouver, BC. She has recently released her own solo CD, Colouring; the title track and other originals songs of hers have become a part of the group's regular concert material.
Nicole
MickeyHovan
 the group's guitarist and bassist, brings to the group’s concerts the energy and excitement developed through years of playing the rock and country music scene around British Columbia.  He adds driving rhythms and blazing flat-picked melodies that make the group’s concerts take off, complete with a wacky sense of humour.  He has also been heard around British Columbia with a number of popular pop-rock and country groups.
who provides bass and percussion, is a graduate of White Rock's Semiahmoo Secondary School music program, where he received a scholarship to attend the Columbia Academy of Recording Arts.  He is a full-time professional musician and sound engineer who operates and maintains the group's sound equipment, and can often be found making good things happen at Turtle Recording in White Rock, BC.  Ed is also a member of one of Vancouver's premier blues bands, "Brickhouse".
 Ed Johnson
INFO & BOOKINGS Further information, group bookings or copies of the CD's can be obtained from at (604) 723-3052, or from  at (604) 506-6916.
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