Smoky Voices, Guitars, Mandolin, Junos, Gold records and shelves full of awards sprinkled around for your entertainment pleasure at Leo’s Lounge, Saturday February 21st, 2026! 

It is my pleasure to invite you to an intimate evening of Folk and Country Stylings featuring Stories of Rachel Matkin’s Journey!

To me she is a diamond found in our back yard!

RACHEL MATKIN

Vocals, Guitar & Bass

Rachel Matkin could probably sing before she could walk, Rachel is the daughter of country singer, guitar player, and songwriter Dave Matkin.  They opened for Ian Tyson, Dwight Yoakam, Patricia Conroy, Lisa Brokop, The Moffats and Gary Fjellgaard.At age fourteen, she won the British Columbia Country Music Association (BCCMA) Junior Vocalist contest.​

In 1995, she recorded Living Beyond Our Dreams with Cross Country Records. The album would become a complete success winning the BCCMA Album of the Year with five charting singles. 

In 1996 Rachel was nominated for a Juno Award for Country Female Vocalist of the Year. In that same year she won the Ray McAuley Horizon Award for Female Performer of the Year.

 In her hometown of Kelowna, BC Rachel won an Okanagan Music Award (OMA) for Female Performers the Year and Country Group of the Year. 

At the 1996 BCCMA Awards, Living Beyond Our Dreams was named Album of the Year.

In 2024 Rachel, Barry, Jay and other members of the Cruzeros were inducted into the BC Country Music Hall of Fame! Link is below! 

https://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/495289/Kelowna-band-inducted-into-BC-Country-Music-Hall-of-Fame#:~:text=guitar)%2C%20Jim%20’Pa%E2%80%9D%20Ryan%20(bass)%2C%20Rachel%20Matkin,regular%20Cruzeros.%22%20Over%20their%20career%2C%20the%20Cruzeros

BARRY MATHERS

Vocals, Guitar, Mandolin & Harmonica​

Barry was listening to music before he was even born! His mother was an accordion teacher with 60 students a week.For the next 15 years, he would play drums in numerous bands. Eventually, he switched to guitar and began singing and writing songs.

California singers and bands were a big influence upon Barry. Jackson Browne, the Byrds, Gram Parsons, and the Eagles left their imprint on his style. Additionally, outlaw country with singer/songwriters like Steve Earle and Guy Clark also left their mark.

​Barry formed the Cruzeros and made his first record which was nominated for a JUNO Award. This was followed up by two more critically acclaimed albums that spawned numerous top 40 hits on Canadian country radio and seven videos on CMT. The band went on to win dozens of awards including Best Independent Country Band in Canada.  

​Barry’s fascination with the recording process motivated him to buy a TEAC four track reel to reel and he began laying tracks. This hobby eventually turned into a business. He now owns Redhouse Recording where he records and produces music. 

JAY SWETLISHOFF 

Jay Terrence Swetlishoff, a smooth, creative, and dynamic drummer and percussionist, an artist committed to self improvement and continuous growth in todays fast paced and ever-changing music industry. Currently performing with Dirt Road Opera, driving their Canadiana / Roots style music at its audience relentlessly.Jay has had many accomplishments touring with major label artists across Canada, more than competently performing styles from Hard Rock to Country and Bluegrass. With studio recordings and videos that have hit the charts, Jay has collaborated with Julian Austin, The Cruzeros, Rachel Matkin, Roger Gabriel, Joanne Stacey and Twin Peaks just to name a few. 

Dave Barber: 

At this point, I’m most excited about trying to create my own sound, a sound and a style that puts together the many elements of music that I love – tone, timing, various musical styles. I wrote, recorded, and released my first album Molly’s Eyes, an instrumental album in 2023. Now I’m blending in singing and lyrics, another new challenging layer for my upcoming project.

Website: https://barbermusic.ca/

Paris in My Dreams You Tube: https://youtu.be/bXg9ueLddbA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davebarbermusic?igsh=MXV0ZXh5Nmdpc25rcw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Rachel, Barry and Jay are current members of Dirt Road Opera [magical night in the Bowery!] https://www.dirtroadopera.ca/

Dave Barber will be making his Leo’s Lounge Debut ~ and we could not be more thrilled! https://barbermusic.ca/

In case you are the curious type ~ Leo Gatzke was My Grandpa and built the original Fruitstand on The Farm in 1942!

He loved to listen to music in the Fruitstand in front of the warm woodstove, to pass the winter. 

I felt it only right, and fitting, to name this unique musical atmosphere after such an important Man in my life. 

PS: Leo’s picture is hung near the front counter ~ I will gladly point it out :) 

Meet & Greet 615pm ish

Show starts 630ish

Dave Barber opening

Rachel and Barry approx 715ish

You can choose to bring your own drinks (no security bag checks) Or enjoy a wide selection of mocktails and other non-alchoholic drinks included with your admission: 

Leos Lounge patrons have reserved 18 of the 44 tickets available to this special event so act quickly if you want to join in ~  THIS WILL SELL OUT WITHIN A COUPLE OR THREE DAYS.  

$40 per person

Tickets in advance only and by e-transfer to: [email protected]

Auto-deposit will be turned on until we sell out. 

My Cell for text inquiry  250 868 7646… only if you must please thnx. Alan