What was meant to be an evening of southern gospel music from the U.S.-based Soul’d Out Trio took an unexpected turn Saturday night — but thanks to quick thinking and local faith, the concert in Ashern went ahead as planned.
Organizer Conrad Anderson of the Anderson Family Funeral Home said he received a call late Saturday afternoon with disappointing news.
“On Saturday, November 1, just after 4 p.m., I received a call from Matt with Soul’d Out Trio letting me know they had some issues at the border and could not get into Canada,” Anderson said. “They had flown to Fargo, ND, because the cost of flights was so much less and were planning to drive up to Ashern. When he was calling, I was expecting the call to be him letting me know they were arriving in Winnipeg, but with that news I think I was in a state of disbelief for a few minutes.”
The evening featured music and messages of hope, organized by Conrad and Sherry Anderson of Anderson Family Funeral Home
Once the initial shock wore off, Anderson and his wife acted quickly to find an alternative performer.
“Thankfully God provided!” he said. “I called David Bracken, a young man from near Portage la Prairie, and within five minutes he called me back to confirm that he could come. That was at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday — and at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, he arrived in Ashern! He did a great job singing and playing his acoustic guitar.”
Alongside Bracken’s music, the evening also featured a powerful message from Pastor Dylan Chambers, whom Anderson had previously invited to share his testimony.
“Dylan grew up in Winnipeg, was involved in drugs, and today he’s a pastor at the church just down the street from where he grew up,” Anderson said. “He has a great story to share of how God set him free from a life of addiction.”
Despite the last-minute changes, the concert still ran smoothly and drew strong community support.
“The concert began at 6:05 and ended at 8:05, and we had a 15-minute break in there too,” Anderson said. “I had invited the Ashern Central Grad Committee to sell coffee, drinks and snacks as a fundraiser, and they raised in the area of $500, so that was a success as well! Our plans for the concert might have changed a bit, but it really was a great evening.”
Anderson said he was moved by how the community responded and hopes to host another concert next year.
“I’m really thankful that so many people attended,” he said. “We hope to do another concert night next year.”
The group, known as Soul’d Out — sometimes billed as Soul’d Out Trio or formerly Soul’d Out Quartet — has built a loyal following for its powerful harmonies and inspiring blend of contemporary and southern gospel music.
