L.A. Beat

Time: 8 p.m.

Cover: $20 for members, $25 for non members

 Lethbridge Folk Club http://www.lethbridgefolkclub.com

 The Wardens  http://www.banffwardens.com

Superb musicianship, haunting vocals and chilling tales from three men who spent their careers in the most rugged of all places.

The Wardens - Scott Ward, Bradley Bischoff and Ray Schmidt share rich stories - from protecting Grizzly bears to rescuing stranded hikers to lonely nights on the trail. These "men for the mountains" share a special blend of music and storytelling from Canada's richest wilderness.   

With performances equal to the mastery of the ranger trade, The Wardens - Scott Ward, Bradley Bischoff and Ray Schmidt - are a Banff National Park-based trio whose stories rise from the very land they’ve protected for the past 30 years. Born in the remote wilderness, their music immediately connects with anyone who has a love of landscape.

Bradley Bischoff (guitar, vocals)

His career as a national park Warden began in 1981 in the remote South Boundary of Jasper National Park. Patrols in the Brazeau District consisted of 17 consecutive days on horseback in some of the most rugged country Jasper has to offer. For the next 32 years, Bradley has worked across the country in parks from Iqaluit to Ucluelet.
Not just a warden, Bradley has also worked as a farrier, ranch manager, musician and teacher and his songwriting and guitar playing reflect this diversity.
Bradley, his wife Debbie and their two daughters live in Canmore, Alberta.
   
   Scott Ward (guitar, vocals)
Scott started work as a park warden in 1969 in Banff National Park, working summers in the backcountry and winters as an avalanche forecaster. 
In 1983 he became a search-and-rescue dog handler for the park for the next 17 years responded to avalanches, missing persons and poaching cases.
In 2000, he returned to backcountry patrols, retiring in 2005.  One year later, he was awarded the Governor General' s Award for Exemplary Service as a Peace Officer.
   
  Ray Schmidt (bass, harmony vocals)
Ray started his career with national parks in 2001 as a dispatcher for the Banff, Yoho and Kootenay warden service. He has since worked in a variety of positions including Trail Crew, Fire Crew and communications. He's currently the New Media specialist for the park.
Ray and Scott founded The Wardens in 2009 during the national park warden centennial.