Bruce almighty

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This article was published 24/11/2023 (768 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

You can’t mention Bruce Leperre’s name in Manitoba without someone having a story to tell about him.

He’s the bearded, bespectacled, tattooed former program director at CKDM radio in Dauphin, who gave a lot of bands their first platform and helped turn Countryfest into the success it is today.

But in 2018, Leperre, now 62, seemingly disappeared from the local music scene. Life began to change dramatically for the consummate music fan when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

“I didn’t know to the extent that his contribution and backing and support helped so many people,” says Diantha Miller, Leperre’s sister. “He never had a proper retirement party or thank you.”

That’s the idea behind Bruce-a-Palooza, an all-day event at the Watson Art Centre in Dauphin on Sunday, Nov. 26, from noon to 8 p.m. The event, which will be hosted in Dauphin both because of his deep connection to that area and because it’s where he still lives, will also help raise funds to help with mounting costs not covered by the health system.

Miller, Leperre’s only sibling, has been caring for him since his diagnosis, but knows there will come a time when he will need to move to a nursing home. He can’t be alone, but she’s striving to preserve his dignity by finding ways to keep him in his home.

At times, it’s been a nightmare navigating formal support, she says.

Since putting a callout on Facebook about the event, she has been overwhelmed with heartwarming stories about the impact her brother had on people.

“Bruce was unique because he was literally only concerned with good music. He never concerned himself with the politics of the charts; if he liked something, he became a champion for it,” says Jason McCoy of Juno-winning rock trio the Road Hammers.

“When we released Girl on the Billboard, we knew it was different from what radio had been and would be willing to play. Bruce was one of the first to get behind it 100 per cent, and this led to other stations getting on board, no doubt. And that’s just who Bruce is. He runs his own race, which is what we’ve always loved about him.”

Manitoba singer-songwriter Ray Martin also appreciated Leperre’s dedication to the province’s music scene.

“Bruce was solid. He was one of those industry guys that remained consistent with his commitment to local artists. He never wavered from it. In fact, he made a conscious effort to go looking for it, he says.

“I first met him when he introduced us the first time we ever played the main stage at Countryfest. I think he was as proud of that as we were. He’s a living legend.”

The lineup will include dozens of local performers, including Desiree Dorion, Jason Kirkness and Nelson Little.

It’s a fitting tribute to the lifelong music fan and longtime album reviewer for the Free Press, who would often hop on his motorcycle to catch a concert in another city. It was a passion instilled in them by their parents, says Miller, who fondly remembers the family driving to concerts in Winnipeg to hear some of the greats, including Dolly Parton, Charlie Pride and Johnny Cash.

Leperre even has the Johnny Cash ticket tattooed on his arm as a permanent keepsake.

“Our mom was Bruce’s biggest fan. He’d call her and tell her about all of his experiences — who he went to see or who he had in the station — and she just loved every minute of it. He even took her to see her favourites, Travis Tritt and George Strait,” says Miller.

And he could spot talent from a distance, such as the time he dragged his sister to a bar on McPhillips Street to see a band he had just discovered and was sure was going to be big.

That band, which was fired when it couldn’t fill the club while competing with a John Mellencamp show, was the Tragically Hip.

While Leperre could probably write a book about all of his experiences, social interactions have become increasingly infrequent, although it’s what Miller says he needs more than anything.

“It breaks my heart. He struggles to communicate, but his eyes light up when he sees people he knows and hears musicians that he has helped to promote,” she says. “He has so many stories that he struggles to share and will be carried within him forever.”

Tickets for Bruce-a-Palooza are $20 (support tickets are $10) and available at various locations in Dauphin or by emailing diantham@gmail.com. More information about the event and a GoFundMe account is available on the Bruce-a-Palooza Facebook page.