It’s been three decades since Churko! has taken the stage in full force, but the talented family of musicians will be reassembling for one night to support the Moose Jaw Health Foundation and honour the memory of the brother and son they lost to cancer.
Cold Night for Cancer is a show that features all of the Churko musicians, from the opening act by classical pianist Casey Churko to a nostalgic set from the family band, to the main show by Canadian rock band Toque — a passion project that features Cory Churko as a guitarist.
Three generations will be coming together for the reunion, with parents Bonnie Watson and Roman Churko being joined by their kids Kim, Casey, Cory, and Kevin, and grandchildren Alethia and Kane.
The entire night is a family collaboration with a great soundtrack, all done in the memory of Kelly Churko, who lost his battle with cancer about five years ago.
Where Churko! all began, and where the group is now
Kim Churko remembers the first time she and her brothers hopped on stage to perform with their parents as a family band, with her brother Kevin on drums, her brother Cory on guitar, and Kelly and Casey tagging along.
It was her aunt’s wedding, by request, and it sparked a whole era of performing for the family.
“Cory used to sing two songs with us when he was seven, and then he'd go behind the amplifiers and sleep until we finished,” said Bonnie.
“Everybody thought he was so cute, so they'd come up and give him tips,” laughed Kim.
The family band grew in popularity, finally embarking on a full-blown tour across Canada in the 1980s after spending every weekend playing shows together. The kids took their schooling by correspondence, doing their homework in spare moments between gigs and travelling across the country.
Churko! played together for 10 years, and upon the kids graduating high school, the band went their separate ways. But music continued to be a trade of choice.
Cory has toured with Shania Twain and Slash, and is now an L.A.-based musician, music director, and mix engineer, while Casey continues to perform as a classical pianist. Kevin is the mastermind behind a production studio in Las Vegas, where he and his son Kane have worked with names as big as Ozzy Osborne, Five Finger Death Punch, and Skillet.
Kim’s daughter Alethia is also joining the roster, performing not only with the family band for the charity show but also with Alethia and the Ally Kats, alongside Bonnie — who will be performing a show at Hopkins Dining Parlour on Dec. 21 at 6 p.m. as a sort of pre-show peek.
Kelly became an internationally renowned guitarist, taking permanent residence in Japan before his 2010 diagnosis of cancer.
“He totally immersed himself in the culture,” said Kim. “He was accepted and respected by the Japanese people there, and in his field so, we really want to make it a special night for his memory.”
More than just a charity appearance
Music has always been a part of the family, agreed Bonnie and Roman, and the opportunity to perform all together was one they couldn’t quite pass up — especially with everyone’s schedules lining up.
“We don't often have this opportunity because we're so far away from each other and we're so busy with different careers,” said Roman.
“Since Cory was already going to be here with Toque, this was a good time,” said Bonnie. “They talked us into opening for them.”
But the decision to finally reunite was something more than just coincidence, especially when the cause is so close to heart.
“It was more about the cause, it was for Kelly,” said Kim. “And music is so powerful, it really just touches people.”
The Churkos were amazed to see the show sell out within the day. With only a day or two with the whole crew together to practice, Bonnie hopes the set lives up to Moose Jaw’s expectations — although lips were sealed about the details of the setlist.
“There's lots of pressure now, since it's sold out so fast. I guess they're expecting a good show,” laughed Bonnie. “We tried to pick out all the [songs] that we kind of remembered and that we remembered people liked.”
Supporting the Moose Jaw Health Foundation is a worthwhile cause for the family, as is doing what they can to help out families in Moose Jaw dealing with cancer.
“The people in Moose Jaw have been so supportive, it's such a good community here. If anybody's hurting, they all seem to feel it,” said Kim. “There isn't a family that hasn't been touched by cancer, it seems, and it's just got to stop.”
“We appreciate all the sponsors and people that are putting this show together, to take so much pressure off us,” said Bonnie. “We feel honoured we were invited [to perform].”
The Churkos will be taking the stage on Jan. 4 for their show with their son and brother Kelly in mind, as they join Moose Jaw Health Foundation’s campaign for better cancer detection equipment.
