Boyer boys making Métis music
- thatconradguy | October 24, 2014
Phil and Dallas are well known Métis musicians who currently live in Saskatoon. Phil, who is the father, began singing at age five. His musician roots come from both sides of the family: his father's father played fiddle, although most musicians were from his mother’s side. He remembers old time dancing on the weekends as a child. Phil's first talent show was Prince Albert's CKBI TV Tiny Tot Talent Show when he was around five years old. From then on the family joined the celebrations at Back to Batoche days for the past 40 years. At the time of Phil's father's death, they hadn't attended for a couple years since they were so used to being there with him.
Phil's son, Dallas, proudly boasts a Métis fiddle and some of his music influences at Back to Batoche were John Arcand and Darren LaVallee, Donny Parenteau and J. J. LaVallee. Dallas first danced the Red River Jig and Square Dance but was more interested in playing the fiddle which he started at age six. His first gig was when he was around eight years old at a Co-op Folk Fest. Another memory Dallas recalls is attending the Olympics as a youth musician alongside about 300 others.
Phil's singing career dates back about 45 years and one of his more memorable events was performing at the The Aboriginal Peoples Music Choice awards in 2012 where Dallas was nominated for an award.
On a different night, Dallas recalls opening for Michelle Wright in 2010, which remained a memorable event in his mind. His signature event would be Back to Batoche Days though and enjoys returning each year. They thoroughly enjoy visiting and singing with friends & family at campfire sessions.
At Back to Batoche in 1985, Phil won the talent show which got him a recording session in Winnipeg. His experience working with Terry Leslie, Clint Dumais, Ness Micheals and Craig Farthingham at Sunshine records was awesome. After the CD took off, Phil met his wife Gail and began a young family. He then took a 20 year break from music to support his family. After some time Dallas played more and more fiddle so Phil began playing for him. The itch then came back now they play in many different communities and events.
Over the years both Phil and Dallas take pieces of different memories from each gig, both even playing with broken bones a time or two! They both agree one needs a good mindset to continue to entertain and perform. They are now currently working on their second CD each with Jay Ross in studio. Phil is planning on including 20 originals while Dallas is doing his 2nd Volume of Métis Music. Dallas is also working on a dream to have an annual Dance, Fiddle & Jigging Event - The Dallas Boyer Métis Festival is what he may call it.
Their long term goals as Métis musicians is to keep putting music out. Phil knows one can't get rich but still loves to play at senior homes and small venues and says if you love doing something, stick to that and make it your dream and you will always be happy. Dallas is going to continue concentrating on his music and raising his daughter, Mya. They would like to thank everyone who supports their music and to continue that support: music can make you sad and can make you happy. It always brings you back up!