The 59th annual Cochrane Lions Rodeo will wrap up its Saturday night with a big dose of country music. The Johner Brothers are set to headline the rodeo cabaret on August 30, bringing not only their classic hits but a family-filled performance.
This year’s show will be extra special, as Brad Johner’s brother Ken returned to performing about a year ago, and they’ll be joined by four of Brad’s five sons.
“My boys are just as big a part of the show as Ken and I are,” Brad said. “They do a lot of singing and background stuff, and it’s just so much fun having them up there.”
Brad’s son Matt will also front his own show during the rodeo weekend, meaning plenty of Johner family talent will be taking the stage in Cochrane.
The band’s set will include fan favourites like Ten More Miles to Saturday Night, My Brother and Me, and The Last Saskatchewan Pirate, along with their latest crowd-pleaser, Bring Back the Mullet.
“Everywhere we go, people say, ‘You should bring back the mullet,’” Brad laughed. “It looks better on a young guy than an old guy, so no, I’m not bringing it back, but you’ll see a lot of hair on stage Saturday night.”
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For Brad, touring with family makes the music even better. “I’m not sure I’d still be playing if it wasn’t with my brother and my boys,” he said. “It’s such a unique thing to be able to go out, make music together, and just have it feel so easy.”
The cabaret follows a full day of rodeo action and is part of the long-running Labour Day weekend tradition that draws crowds from across Alberta.
The fun kicks off Friday night with The Johner Boys performing at the free family cabaret, and on Saturday, Cochrane’s own Turner Bates will open the show before the Johner Brothers headline.
