During this period, the group would play out at various functions at least three times per month. They travelled throughout the East and West Kootenay being featured at conventions, retirement parties and celebratory dinners throughout the region.
Of course, the time came when Mary's husband, Hugh, another RCMP member, was transferred out and they found Lynn Wagner from Cranbrook to take her place. Lynn worked for BC Hydro and had known David and Pat McCarthy in Port Hardy when they all were part of a singing group there.
When Lynn and her husband transferred to the coast, Sharon Ekskog was the next great find. Sharon could learn the words to songs faster than anyone and often provided the group with new songs to try. They all learned to sing in a country fashion by following Sharon's lead.
By now the group was known farther afield and were travelling to perform in Alberta and the Okanagan.
Linda Troy and Sharon Ekskog
One of the biggest challenges to the group was the departure of David and Pat McCarthy. David, an employee of Pacific Western Airlines and Pat who was a nurse, accepted a transfer to Campbell River. The group was without an integral part, the guitar player. However, it was decided to put out the word that the Lost Dawgs were seeking a guitar player and auditions were held.
They invited Michael Downing, a teacher and guitar player and his wife, Susan, who had a beautiful voice to join the group. Once again, the music took a new turn. Michael had a history of Rock and Roll and popular songs so new things were in the air. The music became more complex and the arrangements became much more interesting.
Frank, Michael, George Z. George W. Sharon, Susan, Sandra, Linda
The singers never worked from written music. All of the arrangements were developed by each person interjecting their own skill to the song as the rehearsals proceeded. When everyone was happy, then the arrangement was adopted. By some unwritten agreement, each person would bring a song to sing that would feature themselves in their own style. All the others would do what was necessary to stay true to that style and to enhance that performance. There was never any one person that was considered 'the leader'.
As always, Michael and Susan moved away and once again, the group was on hold. Enter Doug Rausch and Pat De Granville. They had been working as a duo in the area and were known to all of us. The group was so pleased when they agreed to audition and ultimately accepted the invitation to join the group. This line up of singers was in high demand locally and were successful in landing a one week spot at the BC Pavilion at Expo in 1986. It was a highlight for the group to perform for so many people and they were popular with the audiences that passed through the Pavilion.
