Friends and family of the late Randy Booth gathered in Winnipeg on the evening of Nov. 27 to honour and pay tribute to the man who was obviously such a big part of so many lives.
Upwards of 200 people jammed into Ozzy's at the Osborne Village Inn (Zoo) to venerate Randy, listen to and take part in some fantastic music, and in doing so donate to a trust fund set up for daughters Trena and Sara as well as help out with funeral expenses.
Randy's good friend Brian Kaplan, who throughout the evening, was here, there, and everywhere organized the event. Over the past several weeks, Kaplan had set up a Facebook memorial page in Randy's name and kept everyone abreast of the preparations underway for the tribute night. He organized the venue, set up entertainment, a silent auction, had posters and CD's on sale, even arranged for the event to be documented by professional photographers. Yes, Brian Kaplan did well in honouring his buddy and there wasn't a person in attendance who did not take notice of it.
The evening began with an acoustical set fronted by Duncan Wilson, the former lead vocalist from Les Pucks. The set was far and removed from the music that famous foursome was renowned for, but it was tight, soulful, and well received.
Following Wilson's quartet to the stage was Papa Chris Freeman who accompanied Jeff McIntosh, in reprising the moving and memorable flute piece from Randy's Snow Lake Memorial Service.
Freeman and McIntosh remained onstage and a gifted group of former and present Northerners joined them, setting up and plugging in for the next performance. Kaplan arrived onstage at the same time and introduced Randy's daughter Trena to the crowd, noting that she would sing the Stevie Nicks standard, Landslide. After the applause died down, Freeman, McIntosh, Brent and Susan Lethbridge, and Ben Booth accompanied Trena on the classic. At the final note, the house erupted in a standing 'O'. Looking around through my own tear-filled eyes, I could see many were affected likewise.
Next up, Brian L. King amazed the gathering with his incredible voice and playing behind a faultless set of classics.
After a short break, the Billy Joe Green Band took to the stage and honoured Randy with an inspiring set of blues that was loud, proud, and featured some scorching guitar work by the group's namesake.
Following this set, Kaplan and 92 City FM DJ, Cosmo began picking tickets for items in the silent auction that ran throughout the evening. Of note, former Snow Lakers Dick Moshenko and Linda Shipowich were big winners. Moshenko won a large spa package from the Hotel Fort Garry's Ten Spa, and Shipowich took home the most sought after item in the auction, the Long & McQuade/St. John's Music guitar package featuring an Epiphone SG Special electric guitar! Actually, I shouldn't say that the guitar was the most sought after; there was a lot of commotion and wringing of hands over a large basket of Snow Lake fudge (however, no one seemed to know who made or supplied it).
Subsequent to the auction, another former Les Pucks player, James Creasy took the crowd back to the days when he was the hottest young lead player in Winnipeg. A little longer in the tooth and quite hoarse of voice on this evening, Creasy showed that he could still very easily hold that title. He was brilliant! Joining Creasy, Chris Bigford took on singing and rhythm duties in this unplanned set. Brian Sellers rounded out the threesome honouring his friend Randy by playing his prized Kubicki Factor bass.
Sorry to say that I left the Zoo after this performance; however, I have been told since that there was plenty more music enjoyed and a number of verbal tributes to the man we all gathered to honour. Randy's pride and joy, daughter Trena also took to the stage to offer her humble and heartfelt thanks.
In a venue somewhere up high, Randy no doubt gazed down upon us all and was thoroughly pleased with this tribute I picture him beaming with pride at the part Trena, Kaplan, and numerous others played in it.
