Country artist Justin LaBrash is embarking on an eight stop drive-in tour this summer to support local charities, ending North Battleford. (submitted/Laureen Hale)

By Josh Ryan

Drive-in for charity

LaBrash supporting charities through drive-in tour

May 10, 2021 | 12:43 PM

As Saskatchewan residents eagerly await a chance to gather for live concerts, country artist Justin LaBrash is looking to provide a precautions approved way to do just that.

The 2018 SCMA Emerging Artist of the year is embarking on The Hell or High Water Charity Tour, expanding on the 2020 #driveinsask tour last year. Concert-goers would be able to gather at outdoor locations in and on top of cars, trucks, tractors and more, as well as donate to local charities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Eight stops begin with Regina on June 11, ending in North Battleford on August 21.

Despite some ambiguity on restrictions being lifted in the summer, LaBrash said it was important to give people an opportunity to heal through music, as well as support good causes. Since the start of the pandemic, charities have suffered significant losses in fundraising, with the majority of large events being cancelled due to restrictions. Organizations haven’t quite been able to find adequate replacements for fundraising.

“They were shut on and off all of last year and regular events, like a heritage day, didn’t happen,” he said. “We’re excited to get on the road and get going with [the tour].”

(submitted/Laureen Hale)

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Each tour stop will support a specific organization. For the Battlefords, LaBrash said they wanted to help out the Western Development Museum, who were particularly impacted by having events cancelled.

“Definitely a cause that I’m very close to and very happy to support,” he said.

Having done an abbreviated tour last year, LaBrash said he and his team learned a lot about the logistics of drive-in events, specifically where to put larger vehicles.

“Learning exactly how to do that with different sites for the shows definitely makes a big difference,” he said.

LaBrash said he’s also looking forward to debuting new music. During the pandemic, he said he and his friend Doug Sylvester amassed quite a few songs. A new extended play will be released right before the tour starts and LaBrash said he hopes to have a full length album out by next year.

“Some of it is definitely is directly influenced by the pandemic and some of it not so much,” he said.

And LaBrash said he’s looking forward to returning to the Battlefords. His dad grew up near Meadow Lake and spent a lot of time in the Battlefords, while the country artist has had several shows in the area in recent years.

“It’s almost a home away from home,” LaBrash said.

You can get tickets for the tour online.

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josh.ryan@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports