Excerpt from the Nicola Valley Arts Council in Merritt, BC: Interview with Robert Bertrand by Catherine Oborne.

RB: Music is my first ‘Art’, and painting is a close second.  Finger picking inspiration came from John Fahey, and Leo Kottke.  I’m interested in history, and while travelling in Europe I saw Rembrandt and my favourites became the classics & magic realism.  Magic realism, ‘a frozen moment’ in time, “expresses a primarily realistic view of the real world while also adding or revealing magical elements.”

About Performing In Merritt

RB:…Playing music with Gary Cooper at the Adelphi and meeting Cassandra lead me to playing music at Brambles, The Canada’s Country Music Hall of Fame and Kekuli Cafe.

CO:  What music is memorable for you?

RB- The Rolling Stones, Chicago Blues, harmonica & slide guitar I really found attractive.  Brian Jones. The “side musician” for the Rolling Stones became my mentor/idol. “That was it!”  I was enrolled at art school, but it was Music (which is immediate), or Art School (which is a process).  I chose music.