TuneSmiths

Douglas Francis Mitchell, a Cranbrook singer-songwriter, and Wally Smith, a Wycliffe multi-instrumentalist who claims he can squeeze a tune out of a chicken, are ‘The TuneSmiths’.

Mitchell has written over 125 songs on guitar and banjo, including songs for the Council of Canadians, the Ktunaxa Nation, and BiketoworkBC. His songs have aired on CBC Toronto, Regina, Kelowna, and Victoria. He has shared his musical perspectives with audiences from Nashville to Newfoundland, San Antonio to Tofino. His fourth album ‘Kickin’ Round the Kootenays’ was released in the spring of 2023.

Wally Smith, a player of many instruments, feels the urge to make music flow no matter the genre; from Scottish small pipes to various drums, tin whistles, button accordion, mandolin, guitar, and the most egregious instrument of all, the banjo .

The TuneSmiths perform a wide variety of music from Celtic to traditional folk to the Beatles, Guy Clark and Ry Cooder, original songs about Kootenay life – hiking, biking and skiing; also humorous and topical ditties about Coca-Cola and plumbers who don’t show up. The TuneSmiths will have the crowd listening, laughing, and maybe even singing and dancing.

With the assistance of a Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance touring grant, The TuneSmiths toured the Kootenays featuring songs from the ‘Kickin’ Round the Kootenays’ album.