-2.1°C Not observed 
Country recording artist/songwriter and entertainer Ken McCoy performed Friday and Saturday at Cactus Annie's pub, located at the base of the Merritt Desert Inn.
Ken and his band have been performing and recording over the last 20 years at every kind of show, from small acoustic intimate settings to full blown out 20,000 people concerts.
The band is no stranger to the Merritt music scene, having played Merritt Mountain fest as well as Cactus Annie's numerous times in the past.
They are best known for their 2004 release “Prayin' for Rain,” for which they donated 100 per cent of the sales of the CD single and airplay royalties to the Canadian Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.
Setting the pace for the band is 21-year-old drummer Trent Johnson, a rising sensation on the country scene.
Johnson has been playing drums professionally since age thirteen, and some would say music literally runs through his veins. He is the grandson of CCMA Hall of Fame member Elmer Tippe, and nephew to BCCMA and CCMA multi-award winner Rick Tippe.
Three years ago “ Ken asked me if I could do a fill-in for a gig for a weekend, Ken's drummer at the time was unavailable, said Johnson. “I did the weekend. Two months later Ken's drummer quit the band. Ken asked me to join, and I said yes. “
Johnson has been nominated for Drummer of the Year at the BC Country Music Awards for the past two years. Last year Ken McCoy won Country Club Act of the year at the same award show.
“Playing with Ken the thing I enjoy most is the friendship I have made with him, said Johnson. “As well as the other band members Jay and Tony.”
Johnson will be back in Merritt this coming weekend playing with the Brent Lee band.
“Brent Lee called me earlier this month asking if I was available this week to do a fill-in, Brent's drummer has a prior commitment and wasn't able to play,” said Johnson. “I said sure.”
“This weekend you can expect great entertainment,” continued Johnson. “Brent is an amazing entertainer and I really look forward to working with him for the first time this weekend.”
If you miss Trent with the Brent Lee band this weekend the Ken McCoy band will be back in Merritt October 14 to 16 and November 18 to 20.
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
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Country Drummer plays back-to-back weekends
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