Jeremy Willis wants you to “stay western.”
His voicemail greeting says so, and so does his music.
“It's cowboy. It's country. It's western. It's a lot of rodeo stuff,” says Willis in a telephone interview ahead of the 14th Annual 100 Mile House Cowboy Concert, which he's set to perform in.
Willis grew up on a ranch near Clinton and graduated from Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School in 100 Mile House. It's his first time performing at the Cowboy Concert, so it's somewhat of a homecoming.
“I think the last time I would have played any kind of live music [in 100 Mile House] was 1990. It's kind of exciting to come-full-circle.”
Needless to say, those ranching roots have influenced what Willis does on the microphone – from country music singer-songwriter to rodeo announcer.
“It's always been western. I grew up on a ranch and I'm back living on the ranch. Everything is kind of centred on the animals and the outdoors.
“I see the modern day cowboys, so to speak. And I also see the old-time ones. I kind of have a foot in both worlds.”
Joining Willis at Martin Exeter Hall in 100 Mile House on Jan. 18 are Alberta-based country music singer-songwriter Tim Hus and western-cowboy poet Mag Mawhinney.
The concert starts with a matinee performance at 2 p.m. before an evening show at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $15 and available at Work n Play Clothing Company, 100 Mile Feed and Ranch Supply and The Log House Western Wear.
The 100 Mile House Cowboy Concert benefits a BC Cowboy Heritage Society student scholarship.
For more information, contact organizer Mark McMillan at 1-888-763-2221.
Adds Willis: “It will be cool to see lots of people out that might not have seen me for the last 20 years.”