In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition for the people, businesses and organizations that help make our city great. The team at KelownaNow.com is passionate about this community and the people that make it amazing. We want to show our friends, neighbours, family and colleagues that we notice them and the fabulous things that they do.
What is your name?
Ken Hartfield
Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
I am from Regina, Sask. and have lived in Kelowna for 13 years.
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My wife Lyn because she is my best friend and a beautiful caring person.
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
San Diego, California because it is a beautiful city by the ocean. I love being close to the ocean.
What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Best Buy because I love technology.
What is your favourite activity?
Sailing
If you had to choose: pizza, tacos, or burgers?
Pizza
What is a hidden gem you enjoy in the Okanagan?
The beaches along Okanagan Mountain Park.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
I once spilled a drink on my pants just before landing in Palm Springs. It looked like I didn’t make it to the bathroom in time!
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
I composed the song “Yesterday’s Dream”, a song that was sung by Brenda Gordon (now Brenda Russell).
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
I was 10-years-old and took the bus downtown after school to pick up my first saxophone. I’ve been hooked ever since!
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
The special musical arrangements I write and subsequently hire local rock and symphony musicians to perform them takes hours of my personal time. My reward is seeing them performed live and treating the audience to hear unique versions of enhanced symphonic classic rock.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
To replace fossil fuels with green energy.
What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Performing music and sailing.
Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
A quiet beach.
Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
Heavier fines and penalties for texting and driving. The reason why is obvious … safety on the streets.
If you were granted one wish for work or in life, what would it be?
To live in a world of love and peace.
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I am a humanitarian and care passionately about the condition of people in countries affected by war and dictatorships.
What is the name of your business/organization?
Freeze Tracks Media
What does your business do?
Music production and concerts
Where can people find your business online?
bcband.live
Why did you get into/start this business?
I was in the music business for most of my life. In the 60’s I played what we now call classic rock. I used to hear horns and strings in a lot of these songs that didn’t exist on the original recordings. I decided to revisit these great rock classics and enhance them with strings, brass and percussion but keep the main theme intact.
What is the goal of your business?
I really want to continue performing the custom musical arrangements and share them internationally. I am passing my knowledge on to my son (also a very talented guitar player in the band), who will carry on with the business once I retire (no plans to do that for a few years yet!)
What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
Lack of sleep, it’s hard to sleep when you have music dancing around in your head all night! Many musicians suffer from this.
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
The same. I had a musical career in the US (Los Angeles/Vegas) but came back to Canada to be with my children.
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
Shopping local is very important as it helps our community grow and prosper. We need to shift our focus from big business to our local farmers and artisans. We are all better for it. It also helps our local economy but keeping the profits in the community.
Give someone that you think deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Monica Tracey – Monica is a very talented keyboard player and singer (who is also in Bandidos Cerveza). She teaches piano and vocals to people of all ages from children to adult, including adults who don’t read music. Her adult students get a chance perform locally, which is something special for them. Monica is also a single Mom with two teenage boys so she is also busy balancing parenting with everything else she does. She performs every chance she can get from outdoor venues, to a local wine bar. She never stops and I admire her stamina and determination!
My nomination for the In Focus spotlight is:
Monica Tracey
Other information you would like to share:
Kelowna has some very talented musical artists and being a musician myself, I like to seem them recognized. Music is truly a universal language, whenever there is a disaster or humanitarian crisis, musicians are always the first ones to step up to the plate remember “We Are The World.”
We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE. Thank you, Kelowna!
