RC of Wolfville recognizes local band
On June 30, the Wolfville Rotary Club gave out its first Paul Harris Fellowship recognition to a community group. In fact, it was a rock and roll band, Men Will Be Boys.
Spokesman Stephen Peters said the club, “proudly offered this prestigious recognition offered by Rotary International, to the 10 past and current members of the band Men Will Be Boys.”
Over the past 25 years, band members have provided musical entertainment while raising over $200,000 for a wide variety of worthy causes in the community.
In 1987, three Roman Catholic men with United Church wives formed an informal rock-and-roll/blues dance band they called the ‘United Mix’. The original band members were Andrew Nette (rhythm guitar/harmonica), Kevin Woodford (drums) and Jeff Cantwell (vocalist).
Their first gig was a dance to raise funds to repair the roof of St. Andrew’s United Church in Wolfville. There were those who said the band didn't know how well they could play, so admission was free, but you had to pay $1 to leave. Nevertheless, the band, attired in shorts, flip-flops and funny hats, was a hit.
Two other men attending that first dance, Greg Morrison and Rod Evans, soon joined as the bass and lead guitarists. Jut in time for their second gig, the band became Men Will Be Boys.
In the 26 years since, the band has swapped in a new lead guitarist (Greg Turner), vocalist (Mike Davidson) and drummer (David MacKinnon), added a keyboardist (Jim Chambers) and sound-man Bob Wrye.
However, the band's purpose has not changed, and over the years, it has played a host of dances to help local charitable and community organizations raise money.
According to Nette, the musical focus has always been ‘70s and ‘80s music.
“Every fourth song is the Beatles,” he said. “It’s good stuff.”
Men Will Be Boys has supported the Wolfville School, Rotary clubs, L'Arche Homefires, the Atlantic Theatre Festival, the Wolfville and Area Food Bank, the Wolfville and Canning Fire Departments, the Kiren's Way Bike Path and the Valley Bulldogs Rugby Club, among others.
One highlight of the band’s career was being invited to play at two Horton High School proms. In 2002, four band members had graduating sons or daughters who boogied on prom night to tunes performed by their fathers.
L’Arche Homefires will soon benefit from the band’s generosity, with a Men Will be Boys dance on Oct. 26 at the Old Orchard Inn barn.
