High Valley

High Valley

High Valley is a Canadian country and Christian country group from La Crete, Canada. The trio consists of brothers Bryan Rempel, Brad Rempel and Curtis Rempel, and has been active since 1997.

Style and background

The group develops a sound that combines contemporary country with faith-based lyrics. It describes its music as a more organic and acoustic kind of new country, built around mandolin, acoustic guitar, bass guitar and three-part harmony. The members grow up singing harmony together as a family and in church, and that vocal style remains central to their performances.

High Valley’s family background is tied to a Mennonite heritage. The brothers grow up on a farm in rural Alberta, and their parents are both born in Mexico in a Mennonite colony. Their paternal grandfather later moves the family to Canada in a truck, after leaving the colony with his wife and children.

Early years and live work

Brad Rempel begins performing with the group at 12, Bryan Rempel at nine, and Curtis Rempel joins later. The brothers first perform at Bible camps and church camps, then move into support slots for larger country acts, including Canada’s Paul Brandt. They record for the first time in Nashville in 2001 and spend much of the following year on the road while still in school and working part-time jobs.

The group also builds an audience outside Canada, including a strong following in Belize, after its music is played on a Christian radio station there. It tours Central America multiple times and reports dozens of dates in the region.

Releases, collaborators and recognition

High Valley’s album Broken Borders wins Album of the Year in the country category at the 2007 GMA Canada Covenant Awards. Its song “Back to You” is named Country Song of the Year. The group is also nominated for Group of the Year at the Nashville-based Inspirational Country Music Awards.

In work connected to a Centricity release, Brad Rempel collaborates with Nashville songwriters Cindy Morgan, Tony Wood and Joel Lindsey. The group also records “Been Through The Water,” a song that reflects its faith-based outlook.

Live reputation

High Valley opens for artists including Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, LeAnn Rimes and Reba McEntire, and also shares stages at mainstream festivals with acts such as Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and Brad Paisley. The group presents itself as a faith-based version of contemporary country with a focus on encouragement, hope and Christian themes.