Music teacher Lisa Ante directs the School District #53 Honour Band, which met at Tuc-El-Nuit School April 24-25. In the back row playing the trumpet, and looking a tad older than the rest of the gang, is Mike Schell from Schell Shock Entertainment.
Dale Cory photo
Mike Schell is a man on a mission.
He wants to play music, he wants to promote musicians, and he wants Oliver and area residents to reap the benefits of a venue such as Frank Venables Theatre.
Schell operates Schell Shock Entertainment, a fully registered Canadian business that focusses on representing musicians, entertainers and performers.
“We really know the ins and outs of the business because all of the employees, the booking agents, and the promoters, who are also professional musicians, which gives us a standout against other entertainment companies,” said Schell. “We’re not there just to make a buck, but we’re there also to make sure everything goes through flawlessly, as we would want when we’re on stage.”
Schell Shock Entertainment first stepped into the Oliver market in November of last year with the Elvis concert, a three part show featuring Neil Diamond, Tom Jones, Roy Orbison and Elvis.
“Love the theatre, love the acoustics of the sound. Wendy the society director was more than upstanding with us in making sure everything was covered. The show went over really well, and I realized our mandate with Schell Shock Entertainment is to offer different productions such as recording, writing and producing, artist management and band branding. I am an Okanagan boy, the band is actually scattered between West Kelowna, Penticton and Oliver. So we’re throughout the whole valley,” explained Schell. “My biggest thing as a promoter is, I want to offer as many different quality shows as I can in all genres – whether it be Elvis, Kenny Rogers, or big band music – the Crooner-style music. We’ve got a U-2 tribute, an Abba tribute, AC/DC, Motley Crue. I think right now, within he arsenal of Schell Shock Entertainment, there’s 22 great quality acts.”
And that brings us to the next event coming up at Frank Venables Theatre – The Canadian Crooner Tour, featuring Ron Boudreau.
The concert will feature Boudreau, who is from Vancouver, singing the music of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Michael Buble.
“I’ve been singing since I was a kid, starting off with country, and transitioning to modern rock, When I first heard Michael Buble, I started singing his songs. It was the toughest transition I’ve ever made,” said Boudreau. “It’s the music itself, the kind of the era of the music, you’re dressed to the nines, there’s the class of being on stage – just the music and the era,” offered Boudreau when reached at his home in Vancouver. “It’s being able to do what you love to do for a living. It has its ups and downs, it’s not all sunshine and roses – but its worth it to be up on that stage.”
Boudreau was asked which artist, and which song are his favourites.
“I love doing the Bobby Darin original Mack The Knife. There’s something about that song, it’s one of those songs I have to do it every show. It gets me into the show,” replied Boudreau. “As for an artist, Dean Martin. He is one of the few you can’t do a song without impersonating him a little bit. And his weekly show was fantastic.”
Mike Schell explains how he came across Boudreau’s many talents.
“I was working with an agency out of Vancouver, and they wanted a Crooner-type act for a wedding event. So, Schell Shock Entertainment looked around and I found Ron Boudreau. He’s from Vancouver, and does this as a full time living. He does casinos, corporate parties, weddings, birthdays,” said Schell. “I did this one gig with him last year. As soon as I heard him sing one note, I was sold. I was sold on the idea.”
The Canadian Crooner will be at Frank Venables Theatre May 22.
Tickets are available at Beyond Bliss in Oliver.
As for Schell, he was in Oliver last Friday, during which he made a special announcement.
“I’ve been subbing with the Thursday night big band in Penticton. A couple of the players from the Uptown Hornz play in the Thursday Night big band, and we know that school programs these days are low on funding, and that the government is cutting music programs, which is a shame by the way, and we really thought this is a good way to give back,” offered Schell. “The band teacher for SOSS is Lisa Ante, who is also the piano player in the Thursday night big band, so I approached her about this opportunity of Schell Shock Entertainment and the Crooner Show giving back to the school. She jumped on board immediately, so we plan to make a nice donation of $1,000 to the band program.”
The donation was well-received by band members in attendance.
“He’s reached out to say, how can we help you, and how can I help them. I’m going to do my best to help sell tickets and promote the Crooner concert and get as many people in there as possible,” said Ante. “What he’s doing for us today is great. To have him here and playing as a clinician, and to have a connection, and see adults still making music. Obviously, I think it (music program) is very important.”
Schell was in Oliver to work with Ante’s Honour Band, which brought music students from across District #53 to Tuc-El-Nuit School from a weekend of learning, and playing music.
“I do get out to schools and different festivals as a trumpet clinician as well as an adjudicator, so I’ve come down here to work with their honour band, which is going to be doing a day long tour in May going to all the schools in the South Okanagan,” said Schell. “Today, I will be working with the brass section as well as I’ll be doing some conducting with the band as well.”
And with that, Mike Schell the promoter went back to what he enjoys the most, teaching, and playing music – and searching for the next Canadian Crooner.
