From a rural farm in Saskatchewan to the dance halls near High River, the past 100 years have been full of adventure and music for Reg Evans.
Evans celebrated his 100th birthday on July 18th with a special gathering at the Medicine Tree Manor in High River, and another at the High River Hospital. Another celebration is planned for this coming Saturday at the local Legion.
But before he could join his friends and family for the big party, Reg and his son Jimmy stopped by Sun Country 99.7 to share the story of his life and his violin.
Reg Evans was born in 1924 and spent roughly 10 years on a farm in Saskatchewan before moving to the High River area in 1955.
Showing up to the Okotoks Ford Morning Show in a stylish cowboy hat and boots, the cattle farmer said he has always had a soft spot for cowboys.
For the past 42 years, Evans has volunteered his time at the High River Hospital, playing music with his violin for patients and staff.
He told Charlie Brown that one of the secrets to his longevity is his music.
“I always had something to think about, always had something to do,” he said. “We used to go to the school dances in the winter and there's these three or four fellows just to change off playing the violin and I'd sit there and watch them, and I thought ‘now I'm going to learn to play that thing.”
In fact, the violin he received as a young child is the same one that he carries and plays today.
Reg’s son Jimmy said that music also played a significant role in his life after his mother passed away when he was just five years old.
“Dad used to go to all these little places, and I'd be small and be tagging along and I'd sit there and the music was just so enjoyable, it just filled the room and the people over there would dance and you would go to the old time dance here at the Memorial Center and go to midnight and just sit there and dance,” he said.
Close to a hundred people were at the Medicine Tree Manor to celebrate Reg’s 100th birthday. Using his violin, he entertained and serenaded the crowd with a few other violinists to help.
Reg Evans turned 100 on July 18th. He celebrated with his violin at Medicine Tree Manor in the @TownOfHighRiver.
— Sun Country (@suncountry997) July 19, 2024
Video by @Scavard pic.twitter.com/HUwsxK3JhR
He admitted that he prefers to play with an ensemble.
“It gives me such a lift. I just enjoy playing with other people rather than playing by myself, I like to play with a group, I've always had a group to play with.”
Those interested in attending the birthday celebration on Saturday can come to the High River Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion between 3 and 4 p.m., following the meat draw.