For Selkirk folk artist Elaine Markwart, it was the people she met along the way who inspired her to devote most of her life to music.
Born into a musical family, she picked up her first instrument — an accordion — at age nine. Over the years, she expanded her repertoire to seven instruments, performing and singing in countless communities across Canada while balancing her personal life and a full-time job.
“I don’t know how I managed it, but I am so glad I did,” said Markwart, now happily retired from the music industry.
Her musical journey began early. At 13, she formed her first band, the Spice of Life, with her brother, playing local events in and around Selkirk. By 17, they had started Summit Road, a rock-based horn band that performed across Western Canada and in Winnipeg’s A Circuit bars. It was during this time that she met her future husband, Roy, while attending Lord Selkirk Regional Comprehensive School.
At 19, she joined an all-female rock group called Honey, performing alongside musicians who would later be inducted into Manitoba’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. That opportunity paved the way for her longest-running and perhaps most beloved project: the Muddy River Stringers.
For three decades, the Stringers performed at festivals and events across the country. Markwart recalls with pride their three separate appearances at the Winnipeg Folk Festival.
“It was always my dream to perform there ever since I attended the first Folk Festival in 1974,” she said. “I never knew if I would make it, and it’s still hard to believe my dreams came true. Folk Festival has been such an influential part of this all.”
This summer, while attending the festival, Markwart spotted a familiar image in the 50 Years of Folk photo display — a picture of her from 1993 had been included.
“I was so proud to be a part of the 50-year celebration because performing at Folk Fest has been some of the most important performances to me.”
Other pivotal moments include performing with Honey in Yellowknife in 1979, and later in Ottawa Valley and at the Morden Corn and Apple Festival.
“The people that we meet are just so friendly and welcoming — they are what truly makes this job so fun,” she said. “I have played at so many different festivals from Arborg to Ottawa Valley and everything in between. It is the people who run the festivals who are so important — they are honestly the best.”
During her time with Muddy River Stringers, the band released four albums blending original and cover rock songs with a folk twist, weaving in tambourine, banjo and other instruments. They shared stages with notable acts including Ellen Reid of Crash Test Dummies, Tom Jackson and the Bird Sisters trio. The band also produced a Christmas album, donating 100 per cent of the profits to the Wish Foundation — one of many moments Markwart reflects on with pride.
In 1994, she won a Manitoba songwriting contest and qualified for the Canadian finals in Toronto. Though unable to attend because she was pregnant with her third child, a bandmate represented her at the event. The entry, You and I Know, was a personal song dedicated to her sister Joanne.
Looking back on the changing music industry, Markwart says one of the biggest shifts has been the dwindling opportunities for live performance.
“Whether it was the dinkiest of bars, or something on the A Circuit list — there was always an opportunity to go and grab a drink and listen to something live,” she said. “Now, live music is getting rarer and rarer and it’s sad to see this happening. There are so many great musicians out there — especially in Selkirk — with so many great places they can play. I really hope we can keep the live music industry alive because it’s those environments that help artists flourish.”
Looking back at her early days, she offers two pieces of advice: don’t delay writing and producing original music, and be mindful of networking.
“When you cover, you get stuck with what you can perform. To really showcase yourself, you want to show the people the music you write. Lots of people do cover music — but you are the only one who does your music.”
While the Muddy River Stringers now reunite only for family and friends, one of their albums, Life’s Too Short, can still be found on iTunes.
