In Spite of Ourselves - A Celebration of the Music of John Prine with Wheels

Chinook Musical Society presents nine "Saturday Night Special" concerts every year, featuring a range of genres from folk and country, to blues, Celtic and folk rock. While we do present acts from all over North America, and some international, we are especially proud to showcase our Canadian and local Alberta artists. The evening starts with one set from our opening artist, followed by two sets from our headliner. October 24, 2026 we are happy to present a very special tribute evening with “In Spite of Ourselves: A Celebration of the Music of John Prine” and from Diamond Valley: Wheels! There are only two kinds of people in the musical world: those whose lives have been profoundly changed by Prine, and those who haven’t heard him yet. In Spite of Ourselves: A Celebration of the Music of John Prine brings together the interpretive talents of multi-instrumentalist/producer Doug Cox, the Juno Award-winning Tom and Kalissa Landa from the Paperboys, and Nashville/Vancouver Island songwriter/artist Steve Mitchell. All lifelong Prine devotees, the members of In Spite of Ourselves aren’t messing around in these performances.Tragically for all of us, John Prine left this world at the beginning of the pandemic. Thanks to his songs, music fans everywhere have a permanent portal into the little universe of John’s singular mind. And this talented group takes you through that door and shows you the house that John Prine built. You’re never going to want to leave.https://youtu.be/UfhR39Kj-G8?si=FNiiHYnaWb8jRcwS Hailing from Diamond Valley, Alberta, Wheels is a folk-rooted, alternative duo that captures the restless spirit of the road, the weight of leaving, and the stories that linger long after the last note fades. Their music blends rich storytelling with raw, evocative melodies - songs that feel like they were scribbled on bar napkins under neon lights, hummed in the quiet hours of a long drive, or carried by the wind across the foothills.Drawing inspiration from artists like Bruce Hornsby, Wilco, John Prine, and Steve Earle, Wheels weaves together intricate instrumentation, heartfelt lyricism, and an undeniable sense of movement. Their songs aren’t just stories—they’re lived-in moments, full of dust, longing, and the undeniable pull of the open road.https://youtu.be/uk9xC0cHZNI?si=r0p3TzBQ1bhXiO7b