Coal Creek Boys - Studio

Today I had another great opportunity to photography a great local band from Lethbridge, Alberta, The Coal Creek Boys.   Their music is thoughtful and draws the listener into the lyrics, which I might add, music now a day lacks.  I am honored to be John Paul Smith and Dino Scavo friend.  They impress me every time I get together.  I encourage everyone who is reading this to check this band out.   You can purchase their recently released CD on iTunes. 

Or check them out on FaceBook at      https://www.facebook.com/coalcreekboys

and

www.coalcreekboys.com

I would like to include a little research The Coal Creek Boys conducted for their album.  

"The name Coal Creek was picked because, if you’re truly going to sing, write and preform country music, it MUST be true, and come from a place that is real"  - Coal Creek Boys

Coal Creek is a ghost town near Fernie, British Columbia, Canada. Everybody left the town in the 1950s due to the closure of a huge mine.  There is still some historic places left in Coal Creek.  There was a big mine disaster on May 22, 1902 (the worst mine disaster in British Columbia).  Above the old mine you can see that the coal seam that exploded is still burning. Smoke and steam can be seen coming out of the top of the mountain.

(Some say, when you drive up there following the Dirt and gravel road, and look around, after you get back in your truck, you can see the hand prints in the dust on your vehicle from the “ghosts” of all the Coal Creek Creek Children)

**TAKEN FROM THE CRANBROOK PAPER MAY 9TH, 1902**

At 7:30 that night nearly 200 men were labouring in No. 2 shaft of the mine, unmindful of the near approach of danger.  Two minutes later a thunderous roar was heard, the mountains about Fernie trembled, and more than 150 human lives were snuffed out like the snuffing of a candle. There was no warning of danger; the first intimation was a silent but remorseless death. There was no opportunity for escape, no chance to fight for one's life, no time to plea for mercy or make peace with God. Death came quickly. 

There was no torture, either mental or physical, to the great majority. With picks in their grasp, or hands on their drills, the men dropped unconscious, and death came with the concussion or the after damp without a wail of sorrow or cry of pain.

But a disaster of that kind means sorrow and suffering for the living. It means many widows, many fatherless children, many homes bereft of their mainstay and support. And that is the case in Fernie today. There are few doors in the long rows of miners' cottages that are not darkened by folds of crepe, and few eyes in these homes that are not be-dimmed with tears shed for loved ones buried in the chaos and darkness of the wrecked tunnel.

And such a misfortune carries with it responsibilities that the people must not shirk. 

It brings to the surface the strongest feelings of humanity, and prompts all men to do what they can to alleviate the sufferings of the unfortunate. 

This is the time for all men to act. It is no time for selfishness, no time for parleying, no time for argument as to what or how much you should do. Do, and do at once. Give as the gods have given unto you. There are homes that are stricken, mothers who are destitute, children who will be starving. This is not time to look sorrowful and say "God pity them." This is the time to give one dollar or more for their aid. Every man in the district can give one dollar; many men can give more.