In 1996, when he was 22, Pernell decided to get out and travel and see the world. He obtained many different jobs such as tree planting, oil rigging, harvesting cabbage in England and volunteering his time to farm in Israel. All of this with his acoustic guitar in tow which allowed Pernell to play everywhere including the streets of Greece, Italy and South Africa. That is when Pernell was introduced to folk music from other fellow travelers. In particularly the music of Bob Dylan. When that happened, it changed his life, and Pernell started to learn and appreciate life differently. He started developing a social conscious and became more political, following the underline tone rooted in folk music. All adding to the person Pernell is today. Other influences include John Prine, Steve Earl and many blues guitar players. Is Pernell a Folk Artist? “Absolutely! Folk singer guitar slinger!” says Pernell.

After many years of being on and off the road, refining his skills as a guitar player, singer and song writer, Pernell finally decided in 2002 to get more serious about his music and peruse it as a career which led to his first self titled CD. Pernell toured in support of the CD but found he was limited in venues he could perform in as a solo artist. So, in 2004 Pernell formed his band “The Hard Drinkers” which opened up more opportunities for larger shows. He still provides the crowds with a taste of his solo act as part of the larger shows and has found an equal balance between solo artist and band member.

Listening to his music you can tell that the travelling and experiences Pernell has had is directly reflected in his song writing. “Looking at things with my eyes and seeing things that most people don’t see in new cultures has absolutely contributed to what I write. Breaking chains of mainstream society, looking outside of the box and looking at life from a different angle as opposed to Monday to Friday punching in for work. There are song writers out there who have not experienced the world so how can they write about it and personal growth.” says Pernell.

In his second CD titled “And Sometimes” you can also hear the influences of living in Vancouver which he now calls home. Pernell shows his love for the city he lives in with his song “Downtown” and then the frustration and compassion for Vancouver’s darker corners in “Getting Out Of The East Side”. When asked about his political opinion on the homeless plight in regards to Vancouver’s upcoming Olympics Pernell says “A lot of the homeless people in Vancouver were not born and raised in mainstream society and then one day decided to do drugs and then all of a sudden ended up on Hastings. It doesn’t work that way. Usually it is people from out of province that grew up in a horrible dysfunctional situation. They come to the big city because there are more social services available and maybe they have a family member or friend there and hope that they can try and get help to straighten out. Then those social services in Vancouver are being curtailed so it is getting harder and harder to find a places to go, sleep and get off drugs. More and more people end up on the streets because the social services that were available to them are being taken away basically so the money can be redirected to the Olympics and the RAV line (the Richmond-Airport-Vancouver Line is a new rapid transit line). I don’t know if all of this will be good for anybody with these social services losses. “The Voices” from my upcoming third CD, due out in August, talks about the plight of the homeless.”

His social conscious has also brought Pernell to play in many shows in British Columbia for the “Relay for Life”. He initially stumbled upon it by accident in 2005. While having a day off from tree planting in Quesnel. Pernell was looking around town and saw some activity in the park which ended up being the event. Having his guitar with him, as usual, the organizer asked him if he wanted to get on stage and sing a few songs. Apparently there had been a cancellation. Pernell jumped at the opportunity. He contacted the organizer again in 2007 and his performance was so unforgettable that Pernell was invited back. He then contacted other organizers of the event in British Columbia and was welcomed with open arms. Including the event this weekend in Penticton.

When asked if Vancouver has a folk scene Pernell says “The folk scene is thriving in British Columbia but not necessarily in Vancouver. The Kootenays, The Bulkley Valley near Smithers and Vancouver Island all have rather large folk music scenes. As well as many other areas.”

What can people expect from his shows? “Foot stomping, toe tapping razor sharp folk as opposed to Peter Paul and Mary flowery folk which I like but don’t play. I still believe in the brotherly love but I don’t sing it in that particular flowery way.” says Pernell.

Pernell, and his fellow band mate Jonah Toulim on drums, are making their return to the Okanagan this weekend, after a 3 year absence. Unfortunately Chris King, on bass, will not be joining them this time. With performances tonight starting a 9 p.m. at The Grateful Fed, Saturday June 9th from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Kelowna Farmers’ and Crafters’ Market, a 5 p.m. show in Penticton for the “Relay For Life” and finally on Sunday June 10th from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the Bean Scene.

For more information on Pernell Reichart and The Hard Drinkers check out their web site at www.pernell.ca