They’d never met before, let alone strum guitars together, but since the first time GR8FUL played, they’ve been in perfect harmony.
Eight local musicians recently united thanks to their love of music. Anders Kuusselka has dedicated his life to youth. Born in Finland, he first learned to play the accordion at age nine and continued to sing and play with his father even after his family moved to Canada in 1967.
Kuusselka graduated from the department of education at the University of Manitoba with a French and Music degree. Upon graduation, he taught music in Arborg, before being transferred to Gimli where he started a garage band music program. From there, it evolved into an after-school rock band music program and students in the class began forming small bands together.
Several local musicians voluntarily teach in the program with Kuusselka, and even now that he’s retired, he still keeps it going in the Gimli Lutheran Church and the Bayview Church.
“As we taught it occurred to us that it would be fun to form an adult band,” he said.
So, he started asking the teachers in the program if they’d want to jam in his studio. It took a while to get going, but soon enough, eight fine musicians were together, taking turns singing, playing and creating their sound.
The band’s first song together was “May You Stay Forever Young”. Nicholson sang the words, and Kuusselka said it just clicked. From there, they started taking turns sharing what they each wanted to play, and soon enough, the band had a setlist.
Though they hadn’t planned to actually perform together, the stars seemed to align, and GR8FUL played their first show on Aug. 25 at the Red Dock. Over 100 people came to listen to the two-set show, which included songs like “Have You Ever Seen the Rain,” “Tennessee Whisky” and “Brown Eyed Girl.”
The band continues to meet once a week, having nothing but fun when playing their music. Each member is incredible grateful for the chance to have performed, and though they don’t have any more shows scheduled, it’s likely they’ll be playing for the town again soon.
GR8FUL is comprised of eight members:
– Anders Kuusselka
– Rhonda Bellan, who started singing in a rock band in Ontario. She’s travelled all over North America singing everything from jazz and blues to country and rock. Belland has won a Manitoba Country Music Award for female vocalist five years in a row, along with recording artist and song of the year a few times. Belland has also done a lot of narrating and singing in commercials but has since retired and now sings with GR8FUL, trying old favourites and new tunes.
– Ron Dirr, who plays a variety of instruments. He started playing music at just four years old. Dirr plays the accordion, guitar, banjo, keyboard, harmonica and drums, adding whatever the band may need at any time. He played with The Band Revival from 1988 to 1995 and then with Roy Mickey and the Downbeats from 1997 to 1999.
– Andrea Nicholson, who’s been singing and songwriting since she was 14. Nicholson was in a specialized music school and named a prodigy who then received a scholarship (one of 10 people in the world) to Berkeley School of Music when she was 17. Too scared to go, Nicholson sang in a few bands, then became a wedding singer.
– Sid Avis, who’s played with various musicians in Winnipeg and has recorded on three albums. He’s always loved playing four or five string bass thanks to idols like Geddy Lee from Rush and Chris Squire of Yes.
– Dave Merry, who’s been playing the drums since he was a teen. Having joined the navy at 17, he’s played music all over the world. Merry also lived in Inuvik, N.W.T., and Churchill for a total of 30 years and was in a Winnipeg band until a year ago when they broke up.
– Mitchell Klyne, who’s been drumming since he was a child. He picked up a guitar when he was a teenager and after learning that, he’s played in various bands over the years. Klyne currently performs as a solo artist under the name Mitchell Stewart and will be releasing his debut album in 2024.
– Edwin Janz, who’s been playing music for 45 years in a number of bands. From churches to bars to festivals, he’s played strings all across southern Manitoba, including lead guitar, mandolin, banjo, and ukulele. Currently, he plays in several bands, one of which is GR8FUL.
