Fraser Union Past Members and Guests

Past Members of Fraser Union

For over twenty years, Dan Kenning's rich voice and robust stage presence were an important part of Fraser Union. He retired from singing with the group in December, 2008, but his voice continues to be heard on Fraser Union's four CDs.

Dan brings his strong convictions and his experience as an elementary school teacher to his singing. Many a classroom kid learned "Drill Ye Tarriers," "Salmon Circle," Kettle Valley Line," and other BC songs from Dan. But his music is also informed by his experiences as a prospector and fisher, his involvement in workplace health and safety issues, and his family connections to the coal mines of Vancouver Island.

We miss Dan in our practices and performances and wish him all the best in his retirement.

Jill King and Tam Lundy were two of the four original members of Fraser Union along with Roger Holdstock and Henk Piket. All four met at the Vancouver Folk Song Society and discovered that their voices created a magic blend of harmony. With an interest in similar traditional and contemporary folksong material, the foursome started practicing and performing together. Casting around for a name for the group, they finally settled on Fraser Union (after rejecting "False Creek Symphony" as an option). The song, "God Speed The Plough," was brought to the group by Jill and remains in Fraser Union's repertoire to this day.

Nola Johnston, a longtime member of the Vancouver Folk Song Society, joined Fraser Union briefly in 1985 singing with Roger Holdstock and Dan Kenning as a trio at Seattle's Northwest Folklife Festival and other venues.

Guests Performing With Fraser Union

Vanessa Kay is a wonderful fiddle player and singer who joined Fraser Union for a series of concerts in 2011 including benefits for Sonrisa Orphanage in Nepal, Burns Bog, and Richmond Family Place, culminating in Fraser Union's performance at the 2011 Vancouver Island MusicFest in the Comox Valley. Vanessa can be seen and heard on Fraser Union's Live at the Tipper DVD recorded on January 8, 2011 at The Tipper Restaurant in Vancouver.

Duncan Truter has guested with Fraser Union on a number of occasions, notably in 2007 at the 30th Annual Vancouver Folk Music Festival. A talented drummer and percussionist, Duncan can be heard on two of Fraser Union CDs, This Old World and BC Songbook.