Chartier and Checora are Calgary-based songwriters. We have a unique vocal collaboration with Bob on guitar, Cathy on cello, ukulele and whistling.
Bob Chartier, a true late bloomer, started singing in the sixties, his age, not the famous decade. He found his buried voice at age 60 and for the past dozen years he sings every day, has written over 200 songs and has performed in venues such as the Ness Creek Bluegrass and Old Tyme Festival and the Water Valley Music Festival. He has done well in both the ATB songwriters and the Ship and Anchor songwriter contests (came in fourth in 2019). He was one of the founders of the Music Mile project that saw a music district formed in the heart of Calgary (musicmile.ca). He founded the Elder Song Project and the Songwriters in the Round at the Gravity Café on the Music Mile in Inglewood, cohosted to December 2023 by himself with Cathy. See more about Bob’s work here.
Cathy Checora is a singer-songwriter and cellist. Sometimes she is known to whistle and play ukulele. She has been involved in supporting youth and community through music and arts groups, and is currently on the board of directors of the FAMI music camp. She has performed at local venues including Water Valley Music Festival, and co-hosts an open mic in Okotoks.
Our song styles differ and so we make a distinctive musical pair. Bob’s songs tend to be Americana or roots style songs, built around his life experiences, storytelling and wry observation. Cathy’s songs are folk style with hints of traditional jazz. She loves to write love songs and is still exploring that path.
Bob and Cathy’s songs appeal to all ages, covering various subjects (such as pianos and cats, rivers and trains, diners and hunger, walking and wanting), and almost always accompanied by a good story! Bob’s bass voice and Cathy’s soprano combine in a distinctive mix, in both original songs and occasional cover tunes. Audience members may receive an impromptu ukulele challenge lesson when we take a break from the performance.
We are best suited in the more intimate venues such as community halls, back yards, church basements, gardens, folk clubs, house concerts and small festivals. We especially enjoy collaborative evenings with other performers and we are well suited as a distinctive opening act.
Our Wednesday Nov.06 concert will feature original songs along with a few of our favourite covers.
