UNION DUKE with Magnolia Buckskin

Chinook Musical Society presents nine "Saturday Night Special" concerts every year, featuring a range of genres from folk and country, to blues, Celtic and folk rock. While we do present acts from all over North America, and some international, we are especially proud to showcase our Canadian and local Alberta artists.
The evening starts with one set from our opening artist, followed by two sets from our headliner.

On March 14, 2026 we’ll start out with sweet bluegrass and wind into some foot-stomping, banjo-rambling, guitar-wailing mixture of folk, rock, country, and bluegrass with Union Duke and Magnolia Buckskin!

Hailing from Toronto, Union Duke is two fifths country, two fifths city, and one fifth whiskey. The quintet comprised of Ethan Smith, Jim McDonald, Matt Warry-Smith, Will Staunton and Rob McLaren have a sound that is a mixture of folk, rock, country, and bluegrass, and they blend these sounds perfectly.

The group belts out soaring harmonies with three, four, and even five voices and their live show is energetic, almost explosive, as sweat flies and floorboards tremble! Soaring harmonies, driving rhythm, and an infectious enthusiasm have seen these five guys carve out a space for themselves in the annals of Canadiana.

“Authentic folk rock the likes of which Mumford & Sons never made. Your bluegrass-loving father would love this, but you’re missing out if you don’t give Union Duke a try.” -Nathan Snelgrove - Unsung Sundays (Canada)  https://youtu.be/NttWEX2HvAw?si=Q-oBNFvTOBiiSkW2 
  

Easing us into the evening will be Calgary’s own Magnolia Buckskin. Featuring gorgeous three part harmonies with a range of instrumentation, Magnolia Buckskin bring their years of friendship, humour and love of music to the stage, telling stories that evoke a panorama of human experiences.

Singer song-writers Kathy Cook, Natasha Sayer and Corry Ulan draw upon their prairie roots, delivering a blend of indie bluegrass, folk, and acoustic pop music on guitar, banjo, mandolin, accordion and bass. Magnolia Buckskin delivers a vibrant and humorous show with original arrangements that are refreshing and poignant.  https://youtu.be/u3Ht9BA1b4w?si=2uSMIlXoefiJ4hWq