Rhonda Kerr-White and Stacy Grunert are delighted to bang the drum for the 620 CKRM Saskatchewan Roughrider Pep Band.
Kerr-White plays the trumpet, actually, while Grunert is a percussionist for an ensemble that has represented the team, the city and the province since 1993.
“We thoroughly enjoy it,” says Kerr-White, the only member of the Pep Band who has been part of the group since its inception.
“It’s about playing music, entertaining people, building friendships and building community.”
And about building a songbook that extends far beyond the familiar Roughriders fight songs.
Depending on the occasion, the Pep Band can play hit tunes such as “Rock Around the Clock,” “Country Roads” and “Beer Barrel Polka.”
“And,” Kerr-White points out, “we can play ‘Happy Birthday’ at the drop of a hat.”
This is an orchestra that can drop in virtually anywhere. Most recently, for example, the Pep Band performed at the Brier when it was held in Regina.
The lengthy list of appearances, dating back more than 30 years, includes Grey Cup trips, visits to schools and seniors’ residences, appearances at community events, conventions, parades, parties … you name it.
“It’s not just football,” notes Grunert, one of the Band’s board members. “Along with the Brier, we’ve done basketball, baseball, ringette and lacrosse events. We’ve performed at a bowling banquet.”
(Strike up the Band!)
When the Juno Awards were held in Regina in 2013, the Pep Band added its musical flair to the occasion.
Oftentimes, the Pep Band’s presence is a traditional part of the atmosphere. The group routinely performs outside Mosaic Stadium before every Roughriders home game.
“But there are also some surprise performances,” Grunert says. “We visited one school and we were behind the curtain. When they brought the kids into the gym, they thought it was for an assembly. Then the curtain opened, we started playing, and the kids went crazy.”
The craziest story dates back to Sept. 9, 2000, when the B.C. Lions visited Taylor Field.
At one point in the CFL game, the Roughriders were penalized 10 yards for delay of game after Lions quarterback Damon Allen complained to the officials that his signals could not be heard or deciphered by his teammates due to the Pep Band’s pre-snap renditions.
The Band maintained that the CFL’s rules did not specifically prohibit fans from using acoustic musical instruments — citing regulations that refer to the use of electronic equipment or the public-address system to create noise in a manner that may be disadvantageous to the visiting team.
Nearly a quarter-century later, there has not been a second delay of game infraction. In fact, the Band provided a lighthearted form of closure at the 2000 Grey Cup in Calgary by finding out where the officials’ party was located and crashing it, to the amusement of all.
The Grey Cup trips have been an annual occurrence for the Pep Band since it was formed 31 years ago by Bob Mossing.
At the 2023 Grey Cup Festival in Hamilton, the group performed 30 times — and that was a low number!
The year before in Regina, the Pep Band performed 62 times during Grey Cup Week.
For some Band members, a Roughriders home game requires a road trip. The group includes musicians who reside in Saskatoon, Springside, Montmartre, Regina Beach, Balgonie, Pense, Lumsden and, in keeping with the Band’s Grey Cup tradition, Earl Grey.
Players range in age from 19 to 72.
“You don’t have to put your horn in the closet,” Kerr-White says. “You can play as long as you want to.”
Provided, of course, there is a suitable level of musical proficiency.
Prospective new members are invited to attend an open house that is scheduled for Sunday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., at the Eagles Club (1600 Halifax St.) in Regina.
For more information, email skriderpepband@gmail.com or visit the 620 CKRM Saskatchewan Roughrider Pep Band’s Facebook page.
The social media account includes a treasury of photos that represent the Pep Band’s attachment to the Roughriders and the community at large.
“Every time we perform and every time we go out in the community, we take something special out of it,” Kerr-White says. “It can be something like little kids dancing to our music or seeing the smile on someone’s face.
“We’re very proud to be community ambassadors for the Roughriders. We’re proud to represent the football team, our city and our province.”
