The Silver Spurs Settle in Penticton

2006-10 - by Susan McIver - Penticton resident Colin Matier is a musician with roots in cowboy music, classic country and country gospel. "I've spent all my life in this province' said Colin, who was raised on a dude ranch near Ashcroft. Colin's father played old time fiddle to entertain guests and touring performers would occasionally stop at the ranch. A visit by Evan Kemp and the Trail Riders was a turning point in young Colin's life. He remembers thinking, when he was eight years old, "Some day I'm going to be like those guys and wear a big white hat." As a child he listened to cowboy music on the radio and was particularly fond of Shirley Fields, a champion yodeler of the time. During those years he took guitar lessons off and on and then did piano lessons for three years. After leaving school, Colin went in a very different direction by working in the plumbing and heating business in Vancouver and later going to Clearwater to manage an industrial supply store. However, in 1979, near his 41st birthday, he decided the time had come to quit his job and become a fulltime musician. "If you really want to do something, you should do it," he said. Colin played not only at pubs and bars but also at country dances, weddings, legion halls and service clubs. Then, in 1981, he met his wife, Rose, when she came with friends to a bar where he was playing in Williams Lake. Rose realized, "If I'm going to be part of his life, I've got to learn to do something musical,' so she quickly learned to play the bass guitar. Then couple then went on the road together as the Silver Spurs, playing from Fort Nelson and Terrace in the north to the Kootenays and Hope in the south. They specialized in traditional country and gospel music performing such songs as Cool Water, Mocking Bird Hill and I Saw the Light. In 1995, things changed for the Matiers. First, they sold their 7 acre home in 150 Mile House and bought a motor home. Second, they stopped performing in bars because of the increasing amount of drugs and heaving drinking, and started accepting engagements at shopping malls throughout Western Canada. And finally, they started making tapes, many of which are now available as CDs. These recordings continue to sell well. "Our best sellers are the first three tapes we made - Spirit of the West, Big Country and Guardian Angel,' Rose said. A total of 11 recordings are currently available. In 2002 they settled in Penticton and became snowbirds spending their winters in Yuma, Arizona. "I now perform only at local farmers' markets here and at swap meets in Arizona" Colin said. Music has given the Matiers a good life. Their careful investments of money over the years is providing them with a comfortable retirement. A lot of the people they used to know just drank and smoked their money away. There are many other types of rewards as well. Colin was particularly touched when a man told him that his dying wife had requested to listen to the Guardian Angel tape in her final minutes. Recently, a 93-year old woman told Colin, when he sang at church, "You know it sure is nice to see you young people keeping this old music alive." For information about tapes and CDs, call 250-492-4322 or write to S45, C72, Riva Ridge RR2, Penticton, BC V2A 6J7.

 

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