Old photographs from the era of flappers and prohibition usually sit in an attic collecting dust or are on display in a museum, but an old photo of a local artist's great aunt and her all-female band has had a most unusual fate.
The 1924 photo graces the cover of Jane Hawley's latest album, whose name gives a nod to her great aunt – Jane Hawley and Aunt Betty's Band.
“ When I found that picture… I just knew right away I wanted to use it for a CD cover,” said Hawley.
The Longview-area artist is gearing up for two upcoming performances in the foothills. The first will be a solo performance at the Heaven at Highwood Inn March 3. Her next show will be at The Stop in Black Diamond March 24, where she will be accompanied by Joanne Myrol on stage.
Hawley described Myrol as a prolific songwriter, but aside from being a talented musician she is also a successful matchmaker. Hawley came out to Alberta nearly 25 years ago for a two-week visit, but Myrol set her up on blind date with a bull rider and the rest was history.
“ I met one of those darned cowboys,” Hawley laughed.
Two children later and nearly 18 years of marriage, Hawley now lives between Longview and High River with her rancher husband making music and teaching.
Hawley describes her music as having different influences and explains it as “ Kitty Wells has lunch with the Rolling Stones and Nora Jones shows up for dessert.”
She said she is not too picky when it comes to pinning down her genre, which has been described by her and others as folk, country, roots and Americana – a genre whose meaning she doesn't understand.
“ I'm not quite sure what I do,” she laughed.
Hawley has been playing in bands and writing music since she was 15-years-old and said her writing has matured since she released her first album in her 20s. She said she likes to write stories about her experiences and draws inspiration from observing people and their lifestyles in rural Alberta.
“ I like to people watch and then write about it,” she explained.
Growing up in a musical family, her roots are deep in the art and she knew at an early age it was the path she wanted to follow, she said.
“ I'm sure my parents weren't thrilled when I told them that I wanted to be a rock star, but that's just the way it was,” Hawley laughed. “ I don't know why they had to be shocked.”
Knowing firsthand how challenging it can be to support a family as a musician, her father was most likely just concerned for her future, she said.
Hawley said she struggled to try and overcome being tied to music as job with the goal to make money and wanted music to be fun for her. As a child, she recalled music being all about competitions, exams and concerts.
“ Jamming in the living room wasn't a part of what we knew for music... I like playing for fun and that's my goal now,” she said.
Hawley was able to overcome the pressure and found more of a balance in life and now teaches Grade 1 part-time at Dr. Morris Gibson School in Okotoks.
Jane Hawley and Aunt Betty's Band is her fourth solo album and she said she could likely promote it for the next two years because she is an independent artist.
Being signed to a label would have its advantages and disadvantages, she said, adding she doesn't want to be on the road touring.
“ I've done tours with some artists and they're on the bus and stopping at 7-11 at 2 a.m. in the morning for a hoagie,” she explained.
Although it wouldn't be anytime soon, Hawley said she has been thinking about recording another album.
“ It's a lot of work and it's draining and it can be frustrating and hard,” she said, “ but it's also fun to do.”
For tickets to the show at the Heaven at the Highwood Inn contact 403-558-2236. For tickets to the concert at The Stop contact 403-933-3002.
