Borderline Drive

Check it out!!!

2007-09-27T11:45:00.000-07:00

Our new website is up and running! Check us out at www.borderlinedrive.com. A huge thank-you to Kathy at KT Web Design. She did a super job and was wonderful to work with! All updates will now be done on the website instead of the blog, and we will be shutting the blog down shortly.

It's coming....

2007-09-09T11:53:00.000-07:00

A new, exciting website is under construction for Borderline Drive. Watch for it coming soon!

This past weekend

2007-08-21T12:14:00.000-07:00

wrapped up a busy summer for the band!

They played a set at Plum Fest in Plum Coulee Friday night (see photo below), and then took part in an evening service at Friends Community Church in Carman on Sunday.

It's been a great summer. We had a chance to do a bit of travelling, meet some new people, and take part in a variety of different festivals and events. With things slowing down somewhat now, it will give the band a chance to fine tune some of their songs, and prepare for the recording of their first album! It should be happening sometime over the next year. Stay tuned!

A new video

2007-07-27T21:13:00.000-07:00

has been added. Check it out on the sidebar!

It was a hot one!

2007-07-23T12:59:00.001-07:00

A few pictures from our (very warm!) weekend at Sandy Creek Gospel Jamboree in Saskatchewan:

A full weekend of music, with Borderline Drive playing a total of 4 sets over the weekend. We also had the chance to listen to and meet various other Canadian and U.S artists, some of them being in full time music ministry.

Next up is the Manitoba Sunflower Festival in Altona. Borderline Drive will take to the stage at 3:30 pm as part of the Sunday afternoon Gospel Concert.

2 shows

2007-07-16T13:51:00.001-07:00

in one day. Borderline Drive played an afternoon show at Hecla Island yesterday. I did not travel with them (so there's no pictures to share!), but heard they played for a great crowd at the Hecla Community Hall. After their afternoon set they came back closer to home and played at the Buffalo Creek Music Festival. The rain cleared up shortly before they came on which was nice to see. BD played their own set, and then also did another set with John's sister Nettie. I think that's always a crowd favourite and a personal favourite of mine too.

Looking ahead, we leave for Sandy Creek in four days. Looking forward that! Hope to see you somewhere along the way this summer!

Celebrating 100 years

2007-07-01T10:02:00.000-07:00

at Haskett, MB.

This where Alvin grew up, and where Alvin, Leah and Kayla still call home. So, it was appropriate that Borderline Drive performed as part of the Haskett Homecoming yesterday. Lots of folks were out from far and near to enjoy the entertainment and reminiscing. A highlight of the evening was the BD performance of the Alvin Elias original about Haskett, sung to the melody of the Beverly Hillbillies theme song.

Looking ahead, Alvin and John will be performing at the Winnipeg Folk Festival this upcoming weekend (July 6 & 7) with children's entertainer Aaron Burnett.

The following Sunday (July 15th) Borderline Drive will travel to Hecla Island for an afternoon performance at the Community Hall, and then head back for an evening performance at the Buffalo Creek Music Festival in Schoenwiese.

See you there!

summer dates

2007-06-15T11:28:00.000-07:00

Lots of opportunities to see Borderline Drive over the next couple of months. They'll be playing a few of the local fairs and festivals, as well as traveling to Hecla Island and Saskatchewan in July. Some of these will be gospel shows, and some will be a mix of secular and gospel. This allows them to play at non-gospel events, but still bring across the good news. We're looking forward to a fun and busy summer! Come out and see us!

2007-05-28T11:59:00.000-07:00

Borderline Drive played a gig at the Reinland EMMC on Saturday. It's a small church (this picture was taken from the back!) so it made for a casual, laid back kind of evening. Fun!

Palliative Care Fundraiser

2007-05-11T22:32:00.000-07:00

BD took part in the Boundary Trails Health Center Palliative Care Fundraiser last night at the PW Enns Centennial Concert Hall in Winkler. The evening started off with performance from the Dingleberries, followed by none other than Elvis (aka Corny Rempel) as pictured below. Look closely...do you recognize his "bodyguards?" Yup, the members of Borderline Drive doubled as the "Memphis Mafia" last night. Quite hilarious, and totally unexpected!

BD ended off the evening with their set, and were joined on stage by Elvis for one tune.

Elvis and bluegrass. Who would've ever thought?

Happy Birthday Kayla!!!

2007-04-27T11:53:00.000-07:00

Not only is she a great bass player, she's also keeps track of BD's songs, makes the set lists...and just generally makes sure the guys know when and where they're supposed to be. Yup, she's a keeper! :)

Gospel Night in Grunthal

2007-04-15T10:46:00.000-07:00

Borderline Drive played here Friday night. John's sister Nettie also joined them on stage for a few songs. I think everyone in the band (except maybe Kayla) has played this stage at one time or another, so it was nice to see some familiar faces in the audience. As well, Mark's sister and some of John's family came out to watch which was nice! Thanks!

Looking ahead, it's shaping up to be a busy spring and summer for BD! We're looking forward to it!

Bluegrass Gospel Night

2007-04-01T20:44:00.000-07:00

Five local bands took part in a music night at the PW Enns Hall last night. Borderline Drive played a set, and was also the backup band for Nettie Nickel. (John's sister) Here's a few pictures.

Jamming in the afternoon with some of the different groups.

Borderline Drive with Nettie. (their set was awesome!)

Borderline Drive ended off a great evening.

Video!

2007-03-26T12:53:00.000-07:00

Check out the new video link on the sidebar!!

Made in Manitoba Concert

2007-03-23T22:51:00.000-07:00

Borderline Drive shared the stage with a number of very talented Manitoba musicians last night as part of CFAM's 50th Anniversary Concert. The performers included CFAM's Michelle Sawatzky, Corinna Siemens, and Sarah Morgen, The Country Hearts, Steve Bell, and of course Borderline Drive. (as pictured below in that order.) They played for a full house at the PW Enns Centennial Concert Hall in Winkler.

Your next chance to see Borderline Drive is at the Bluegrass Gospel Night this coming Saturday, March 31st, also at the PW Enns Centennial Concert Hall. Click here to order tickets.

2007-03-20T20:26:00.000-07:00

Look for Borderline Drive at this year's Winkler Harvest Festival! They are scheduled to play Sunday, August 12th, at 8 pm.

Winnipeg

2007-03-18T10:32:00.001-07:00

The band (and their families) travelled to Winnipeg yesterday to join Alvin for his last day of teaching Bluegrass Banjo for Beginners at the Folk Exchange. It was a chance for the students to learn what the roll of the banjo would be in a band setting. It was also neat to hear the students play. I was amazed at how well they could play after only 6 weeks of classes.

We ended off the day with a jam at the home of Aaron and Kim Burnett. Aaron is a children's entertainer, and has previously played in bands with Alvin. Both John and Alvin will be joining Aaron on stage for his sets at the Winnipeg Folk Festival this year.

Hope to see you at some of the upcoming gigs!

2007-03-12T11:47:00.000-07:00

Borderline Drive performed at the Glencross Church, south of Morden last night as part of a fundraiser for Children's Camps in Cambodia. A very worthy cause, and a good evening filled with a variety of gospel music, as well as a presentation on the camps.

Can you pick out Borderline Drive's #1 fan in these pictures? :)

Just a note, tickets for the upcoming CFAM Anniversary concert at the PW Enns Concert Hall can be picked up free of charge at their studios in Winkler or Altona. Click here for more info on that concert.

As well, we are hoping to add a Borderline Drive video or two to the blog in the near future....stay tuned!

March

2007-03-02T14:08:00.001-08:00

BD will be playing three dates this month. Check the schedule on the side bar for details.

Also, the Performers page on the Sandy Creek Gospel Jamboree site has been updated. Click here to view. It seems they're having some difficulties on the page, but it gives you an idea of who will be there. Looks to be a very talented line up...should be an uplifting weekend!

Link

2007-02-20T10:50:00.000-08:00

Here's a link to The PW Enns Centennial Concert Hall. BD will be playing two dates here in March.

Bluegrass Gospel Music Night

2007-02-19T20:20:00.000-08:00

Click on the poster to view a larger image.

1 year

2007-02-17T21:12:00.000-08:00

since Borderline Drive played their first gig!

They played the Winkler Senior Center last Valentine's Day.

There have been a few changes since then.

For one, Kayla has joined on bass. (and she's doing great!!)

They've also decided on a band name, and are now no longer known as Alvin and the Chipmunks!

I'm really looking forward to spring and summer so I can see them perform a little more often! (and of course, so I can take more pictures...they're all pretty good at putting up with me and my camera! :)

Fundraiser

2007-02-04T14:37:00.000-08:00

Borderline Drive will be playing at a Cambodia Fundraiser at the Glencross Church, (in the Morden, MB area) on March 11th. The exact time is yet to be confirmed. They will be one of several groups performing that evening.

2007-02-02T14:44:00.000-08:00

Borderline Drive is sheduled to play at Grunthal Gospel Night on April 13th, 7:30pm. Maybe we'll see you there!

2 more dates have been confirmed!

2007-01-22T12:30:00.000-08:00

March 23rd - CFAM Anniversary Concert, P.W. Enns Centennial Concert Hall, Winkler. Time TBC.

June 30th - Haskett Homecoming. Time TBC.

An update

2007-01-21T11:19:00.000-08:00

Something has come up, so Borderline Drive will not be at Grunthal Gospel Night on March 9th. At this point I'm not sure if it will be rescheduled or not.

They WILL be part of the Gospel Bluegrass Night to be held at the PW Enns Centennial Concert Hall this year. It takes place on March 31st. Borderline Drive will perform along with several other local bluegrass bands. In past years this event has been held at the Reinland Community Center. It should be a good one!

The gig

2007-01-19T19:28:00.000-08:00

at the Senior Center went well...considering John and Mark are still both battling colds, and they haven't had much of a chance to practice lately. They were the last of 3 bands performing tonight. It's a pretty relaxed atmosphere to play in, so if the laughs were any indication, I think they had a good time on stage!

From an audience point of view, I think they sounded great!

Oh, and I can't resist mentioning that John got a few comments on his handsome look today with the shirt he was wearing! ;)

And Kayla got some extra applause at the end when the MC mentioned she seemed to be the one that kept the group together. How did he know? He's never even been at a Borderline Drive practice. She's the mature one that keeps the boys in line! :)

New Dates

2007-01-13T19:43:00.000-08:00

Borderline Drive will be playing 2 local dates in the near future.

January 19th - A fundraising event at the Winkler Senior Center. Supper at 5 pm with the program to follow. March 9 - Gospel Night, Grunthal MB - 7:30pm.

Update

2007-01-09T20:40:00.000-08:00

Here's a practice photo from a couple of weeks ago.

Which reminds me, today was supposed to be practice, but Mark was suffering from lack of sleep, fever and tonsillitis so it got cancelled.

Now what kind of an excuse is that? :)

Here's your chance

2006-12-29T21:13:00.000-08:00

If you've ever considered taking up the banjo, here's your chance. Alvin will be teaching Bluegrass Banjo for Beginners at the Folk Exchange in Winnipeg starting February 10th. The workshops will run one hour a week for six weeks. You'll learn everything from how to tune your banjo, to how to pick some basic banjo tunes. There's a chance you might even be treated to a visit from the other members of Borderline Drive during one of the workshops. For more information, click here.

And here's someone that took advantage of Alvin's banjo expertise at BD's practice yesterday. From that close up, you'd think he must have learned something!

Schedule & Contact Info

2006-12-24T12:26:00.000-08:00

I added a schedule on the sidebar. The only date that's been confirmed so far is the Sandy Creek Gospel Jamboree in Saskatchewan. (I haven't figured out how to create a link to their website on the sidebar, but it worked on this post. Check it out if you're interested.) There are a few other tentative dates, but I'll post those as they are confirmed. As well, contact information has been added in a seperate sidebar.

It's almost here...

2006-12-23T08:18:00.000-08:00

Wishing you a Christmas filled with peace and joy as you celebrate the birth of our Saviour! Merry Christmas from our families to yours!

Singing for Supper

2006-12-22T12:51:00.000-08:00

Borderline Drive was part of the "Singing for Supper" evening with Tom Jackson on Dec. 4th. http://www.singingforsupper.ca/ The event took place at Buhler Hall in Gretna and featured the MCI Choir, Borderline Drive, and of course, Tom Jackson. BD learned a number of Christmas songs just for the occasion and had a great time performing them. I must say, that was definitely the best version of "Jingle Bells" I've ever heard. Their time on stage just seemed so short, but I guess maybe I'm a little biased! :) Tom Jackson and his band also put on a great show! The story of Christmas really came through!

Here's BD on stage. I couldn't seem to get a clear picture of them there. Even so, they look pretty spiffy, don't you think? :)

Slideshow

2006-12-21T21:12:00.001-08:00

Here's a few pictures of the band from this past summer: At Old Time Value Days in Winkler, Hecla Community Church, and the La Riviere Gospel Festival.

My first post!

2006-12-21T09:36:00.000-08:00

Hi, this is Eva. I'll be updating this blog for BD. I thought this would be a good way to keep everyone up to date on what's happening with the band. I'm still trying to get the hang of this, so please bear with me! :) I'll try and post again later with some pictures.