Driving a taxi for a living often exposes drivers to Jasper鈥檚 hidden underbelly, a world where drugs, alcohol and, in some cases, violence becomes the rule rather than the exception.
Few people know this better than Rob Gray, who works for Mountain Express Taxi.
鈥淭he sad fact is that we鈥檝e taken women and kids on Christmas morning to the shelter,鈥� said Gray.
鈥淭here鈥檚 no nice way to describe it, we just do our best to try and console them and comfort them as we take them to the shelter.鈥�
To support the Yellowhead Emergency Shelter, Gray is hosting a Beatles tribute show at the Jasper Royal Canadian Legion Feb. 25.
鈥淚 remember laying in my crib listening to the Beatles,鈥� recalled Gray, adding the show will also be an opportunity to celebrate what would have been George Harrison鈥檚 73rd birthday.
Gray first started playing guitar in his mid-twenties and has always been a fan of the Beatles.
He said he intends to play songs from the Beatles鈥� later years, including tracks from the White Album, Abbey Road and Sgt. Pepper鈥檚 Lonely Hearts Club Band, among others.
Personally he said his favourite album is the White Album.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 when their songs started changing. There鈥檚 some Spanish and classical and jazz inflections in the album, as well as finger picking stuff like 鈥楧ear Prudence,鈥� 鈥楤lackbird,鈥� and 鈥楳other Nature鈥檚 Son.鈥欌��聽 聽
He said he also hopes people will take the opportunity to dress in their best 60s attire, such a tie-dye shirts or flared pants.
鈥淚鈥檒l have a get up of some sort,鈥� said Gray, with a chuckle.
In December, Gray held a similar show that focused on John Lennon鈥檚 music. During that show he raised $257 for Valour Place, a temporary home away from home for Canadian Forces members who require medical treatment in Edmonton. Valour Place is also available for RCMP members and their families.
Gray鈥檚 Feb. 25 show is free of charge, with all donations going to support the Yellowhead Emergency Shelter.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a shame that we actually need a women鈥檚 shelter,鈥� said Gray.
To check out his show and support the women鈥檚 shelter, head over the legion on Feb. 25. The show starts at 8 p.m.
Paul Clarke [email protected]
