KAMSACK — Canora-based recording artist and entertainer Troy MacNaughton performed a set of country and gospel music at Eaglestone Lodge in Kamsack Sept. 19.
Accompanying himself on guitar for an hour in the afternoon, MacNaughton reminded residents why they had enjoyed the songs of country music stars including George Jones, Conway Twitty, Merle Haggard, Don Williams, Josh Turner, Randy Travis and the “up and coming” Elvis Presley.
His set included several gospel songs and between numbers he was keen to include comments reflecting his faith, including: “Jesus was able to pay the price for us,” and “Lord Jesus, forgive me of sins and wash me clean.”
“You can’t take anything with you when you go, but you leave love behind,” MacNaughton said.
He was also able to share some of his experiences as a performer, including time spent in Nashville, Tenn., where he met with Merle Haggard’s son and was able to perform a duet with George Jones.
On the occasion of the release of his recording Take Jesus to the World in August 2024, an article printed by Yorkton This Week and SaskToday.ca by Calvin Daniels said that MacNaughton had been raised on a grain/cattle farm near Swan Plain, riding horses and working in the field.
He started out playing piano, taught himself to play on his mother’s guitar and loved music from an early age, the article said.
After graduation MacNaughton joined a country rock band out of Regina called Eagle Street as lead singer, it said. “Troy then set his sights on Nashville and spent 12 years singing, writing and recording music there.”
He had the opportunity to write with and meet many of his heroes.
“I also got to see the darker side of show business and I saw many people in the industry fall into addiction with alcohol and drugs,” he said. “I'll be 26 years clean and sober this year and I'm proud of that.”
Now MacNaughton says he is passionate about writing songs with a message of hope and those are the songs he truly loves.
He said many of his songs have brought healing, restoration and faith in God to people who felt depressed and lonely.
“There are many songs I wrote that have helped minister to me in ways as well when I needed it,” he said.
MacNaughton sings and speaks at different church venues, care facilities, fundraisers, even the federal penitentiary in Prince Albert and for several years he has been speaking and singing at a Full Gospel men's conference in Chilliwack B.C.
MacNaughton is the latest entertainer to perform at Eaglestone where Annette Purchase, the lodge’s activity co-ordinator, plans to have such performances about once a month.
Purchase said that the lodge received a donation from a family with the stipulation that the money be used for entertainment of the residents and with that support, in addition to Kamsack’s Polka Pals, the residents applauded Lawrence Kitz in the spring when he played polkas and country music, while playing several instruments at once, and on Canada Day, residents were entertained by Rocketbilly, a three-person band which includes Cole Smith of Kamsack as lead singer, and Yorkton musicians Mark Zawerucha on drums and Ken Kohlert on base.
Similarly, a music duo, Arbutis Holiday of Vancouver Island, will perform at the lodge on Oct. 8.
The couple is travelling from British Columbia to Winnipeg and has made themselves available for concerts on the way, Purchase explained.
The Friends of Eaglestone will be holding their fall tea and bake sale at the lodge on Oct. 5 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., she said. “Remember, everyone is welcome to attend the drop-in coffee served at 10 a.m. each Wednesday.”
