A Day Late and a Dollar Short - Promo Kit

A Day Late and a Dollar Short’s goal is to leave audiences 100% entertained with their up-tempo traditional Bluegrass Music. Three-part Harmony vocals are combined with red hot acoustic instrumentals and on stage humor to keep their fans hooked.

Winners of the OMA 2006 Bluegrass Band of the Year and the BC Bluegrass Association 2005 Band of the year, they have played to sellout crowds at most every concert.

Together since 2004, the boys boast a total of over 200 years of musical experience between them. Converging here in Kelowna, the band members hail from all over Western Canada. Gene Bretecher on banjo originates from Winnipeg, Manitoba, as does Ron Hillcoff on bass. Vic Ukrainetz on fiddle started out in Saskatchewan, Bob Bissillion and Darrell Corbel hail from Alberta while Jack Kinakin is a Kelowna, BC boy, born and bred.

One of their goals has been to increase the exposure of Bluegrass music to new people. Building on the recent rise in Bluegrass Music popularity brought on by the movie “Oh Brother Where Art Thou” they have drawn new audiences to the bluegrass scene through sold out performances at Bunches Bistro, the Creekside Theater in Lake Country, The Mary Irwin Theater in Kelowna, the Centre Stage Theater in Summerland and the Kelowna Community Theatre.

Through the sale of their CD "Live," the sale of the single "Highways," contributions from performances, and individual donations, the band has raised over $31,000 to support Cancer Research and Cancer Care. Funds are endowed with the Central Okanagan Foundation, Daryl Cochran Legacy Fund, with earnings from the fund going to the BC Cancer Foundation in Kelowna.

Bob Bissillion - Guitar & Vocals
		Bob Bissillion the leader of the group and relative newcomer to bluegrass, has been playing guitar for over 42 years. Starting in Calgary, his first professional appearance was at the age of 15 when he hooked up with Calgary's Mr. Banjo, Johnny Thorson and played on the same stage as Roy Warhurst and Ray Griff. In 2001, his wife bought him an inexpensive 5 string banjo thus took the first steps into bluegrass. A three month trip to the Smokey Mountains that fall was all it took to get him hooked. Bob now sings lead vocals, plays rhythm guitar and provides comic relief.
Darrell Corbel - Guitar & Vocals
		Darrell Corbel caught the music bug in Medicine Hat, Alberta playing with his mom and dad and uncles and aunts. Learning guitar at the age of 13, this largely self-taught musician explored rock, country, folk and especially bluegrass. He learned how to read tabulature and music theory, how to fingerpick and he played in many local talent shows. Darrell experimented with the banjo, mandolin, bass guitar and piano and by grade seven he was singing harmony and lead. He has shared the stage with the Heritage Singers and the King's Herald quartet. Darrell is currently a professional music/choir teacher and is a past director of Chordial Invitation, Kelowna's Barber shop Chorus. Adding to lightening fast guitar flat picking, Darrell sings both lead and harmony vocals.
Gene Bretecher - Banjo
		If you asked people to name the top five musicians in bluegrass in Canada, Gene Bretecher’s name would be on the list. Gene once described bluegrass as "acoustic folk music in overdrive." Not surprisingly, this is a description of his own banjo and guitar flatpicking style. Manitoba’s former "Instrumentalist of the Year", Gene has opened concerts for music legends including Flatt and Scruggs, Don Williams, Leona Boyd, Hank Snow and Roy Clark. His well-earned success stems from decades in sound studios and live performances, including a studio sound-track session for the popular TV show, "Sesame Street" and his own CD’s "Banjo Holiday" and "Canadian Whitewater" and “Live at Creekside.” Gene is credited with inspiring several dozen banjo enthusiasts in workshops all over Canada. The newest member of the band, Gene’s enthusiasm and expertise are a welcome addition to the band. Gene has been an instructor at the Sorrento Bluegrass camp for many years and still teaches private lessons.  Visit Gene's Web site.
Vic Ukrainetz - Fiddle, Mandolin & Vocals
		Vic Ukrainetz started his musical career on the piano at the age of 5 but soon switched to the fiddle and guitar. Playing in various dance bands in Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta he now leads one of Kelowna's top groups called "The Dance Band". Vic is a BC Fiddle judge and sought after instructor. He has performed in many shows and is on a number of recordings including his own fiddle album titled "My Dad's Waltz". He has shared the stage with Tommy Hunter, Peter Dawson, and Calvin Vollrath and has performed with the Sunshine Theatre. Now into bluegrass in a big way, Vic's fiddle, mandolin and harmony vocals are a welcome addition to A Day Late and A Dollar Short.
Ron Hillcoff - Bass & Vocals
		Ron Hillcoff is a man of many talents playing electric and upright bass, guitar and mandolin. Originally from Winnipeg, Ron started playing guitar in the early '50's in dance bands, blues combos, big band orchestra's as well as bluegrass groups. Ron has played with such notables as Burton Cummings, Randy Bachman, Fred Turner, Ronny Profit and also the George Jones band in Nashville. Along with his musical talents Ron adds harmony vocals and a humorous twist to the group.
Jack Kinakin - Dobro
		Jack started playing at about 14 years of age, mostly guitar and banjo. He was self taught relying mostly on listening to records over and over "until it made sense to me." Growing up, he played in a family band for weddings and club dances and also played with other groups to help fill in on drums and bass. He casually played a Dobro over the years as banjo was his main instrument. He got serious about the Dobro in 2000 and it's been his main focus ever since. Listen for some of Jack's lightening fast breaks in the music - quick, clean and tasteful.

A DAY LATE AND A DOLLAR SHORT

Fact Sheet and Performance Summary

AWARDS

• OMA 2006 Bluegrass Band of the Year
• BCBA 2005 Bluegrass Band of the Year

PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

RECORDINGS

• "LIVE" CD - recorded at the concert in the Rotary Centre for the Arts in June 2005
• "Holy Smokin' Bluegrass" – Recorded at the Kelowna Community Theatre Gospel Concert Oct 28, 2007

 WEB SITE - www.daylate-dollarshort.com

CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS

The band performs for a number of non profit organizations to support the community and in addition has made the following contributions:

• Cancer Research and Support – Over $31,000 has been raised through the sales CD’s, Concerts and from Donations.  The Daryl Cochran Legacy Fund has been established with the Central Okanagan Foundation with income from the fund directed to the BC Cancer Foundation in Kelowna.
• Rotary Centre for the Arts – Contribution of  $1000
• Summerland Bluegrass Assoc Bursary – Donation of $300
• Sorrento Bluegrass Workshops Bursary – Donation of $100

AUDIENCE FEEDBACK – from written surveys:

1. Have you ever seen a Bluegrass Concert before – 40% Yes
2. Would you come and see A Day Late and A Dollar Short Again – 100% Yes
3. Rating on a scale of 1 Poor to 5 Great -  93% rated either 4 or 5

FOR INQUIRES AND BOOKING INFORMATION