We are thrilled to announce the TeleMiracle 48 National Cast.
Join us on February 24th & 25th, 2024 for TeleMiracle 48.
A successful singer-songwriter, actress, model, and television host, Beverley Mahood is a dynamic entertainer, highly recognized, musically, for her solo albums, and also for her work with David Foster with award winning trio, “Lace”.
As an artist, Beverley’s career highlights include, CCMA/JUNO Award recognition, several TV shows including Pick A Puppy and Breakfast Television (Vancouver), movie roles, song-writing credits (Celine Dion, Little River Band)) and time as a celebrity model for Bootlegger.
Recently Beverley has added Producer to her resume with her work for the emerging artist, Dayna Reid.
She has performed exclusive performances for the G8 World Leaders, Canadian/USA Military, United Nations and even a performance for the Royal Family.
Add this to a commitment to community which has been recognized with her receiving the “Slaight Music” Humanitarian Award and the significance of Beverley’s career to date is clear.
Close to Beverley’s heart is her 25 + year relationship with Saskatchewan’s, Kinsmen Telemiracle. “Neighbours supporting Neighbours – There is nothing really like it” Other issues close to Beverley’s heart include supporting Canada’s Food Banks and her role as the Celebrity Spokesperson for the Pink Mitten Campaign (Breast Cancer Research).
Says Beverley “My time with these significant causes has given me an opportunity to witness the support, joy and miracles that come from the relentless work of those involved. It’s an extraordinary privilege!”
Born in Belfast, Beverley is a proud Canadian ~ “I can’t wink, I can’t whistle … but I love my hockey”
In 1991, The Johner Brothers took the Canadian country music audience by storm. Brad and Ken were named “Duo of the Year” by the Canadian Country Music Association, kicking off a string of awards including 80 Saskatchewan Country Music awards. After being crowned ‘Entertainer of the Decade’ and releasing a remarkable 26 singles from six hit albums, Ken retired from the music business in 2002. Brad continued with a hugely successful solo career, recording six highly praised albums and awarded “Male Artist of the Year” by the CCMA.
The Johner Brothers are back making music together with their new release “Bring Back the Mullet” and look forward to a busy year playing shows across western Canada. Backed by three of Brad’s sons, the show is a fresh version of what Johner fans have come to expect as they are astute professionals and true gentlemen of the stage.
Dione Taylor is a two-time Juno and Gemini nominated artist who has shared the stage with Patti Labelle, The Neville Brothers, Ann Peebles, David Clayton Thomas, Buffy St Marie, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks , Tom Cochrane, Jeff Healey, Blind Boy Paxton, War and Treaty, Birds of Chicago, Colin Linden, Tom Wilson, Blackie and The Rodeo Kings, David Foster and Colin James . With performances at festivals and concert theatres across the United States, Canada and Asia for audiences that have included the President of the United States and Queen Elizabeth II, Taylor has made a worthy name for herself as one of this country’s most talented musicians and songstresses.
Music has always been an important and integral part of Dione Taylor’s life. A pastor’s daughter, she was born and raised in a family she describes as “really connected to the gift of song. My whole family sings and plays instruments in church,” praises Ms. Taylor, who began playing the organ at age four and by ten was the music director and organist at The Shiloh Assembly Church (Apostolic) in Regina.
Taylor was nominated for a Gemini Award for her rendition of Oscar Peterson’s “Hymn to Freedom,” which she performed alongside Oliver Jones at the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala. Taylor is also the recipient of the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award Mentorship Program.
Her latest album “Spirits in the Water” has received wide critical acclaim and is being played on airwaves and playlists all over the world. Dione won the award for Album of the Year 2020 from Blues and Roots Radio Worldwide, was nominated for Blues album of the Year by the Juno’s, nominated for 2 awards by the Independent Blues Awards for “Best New Artist” and “Best New Artist CD” and was awarded “Recording Artist of The Year 2021” from Folk Music Ontario.
Jay Semko is bassist/vocalist with multiple JUNO Award nominees and Western Canadian Music Hall of Fame members The Northern Pikes, and is an award winning music composer for numerous film and TV productions, including the syndicated series, “Due South”. He is considered one of Canada’s premiere singer/songwriters, with 10 solo albums released, is a two-time Saskatchewan Country Music Awards winner (Roots Artist of the Year 2012 & 2015) and multiple Western Canadian Music Awards nominee. He has co-written and recorded with many of the best songwriters and musicians in music, and his first book, “The Poetry & Lyrics of Jay Semko”, was published in 2021. “Time to Time”, the latest album from The Northern Pikes, dropped June 9, 2023 and Jay is currently at work on a new solo album, “Spiritual”, to be released in early 2024.
Jay is a person in recovery living with Bipolar Disorder who openly shares his experiences with mental health and addiction challenges through his music, writing and public speaking, and in 2023 was presented with the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for his contributions to the Arts and mental health advocacy in Saskatchewan. Jay continues to tour across Canada as a solo artist and with the Northern Pikes, sharing his songs, stories and adventures from his life in music and beyond.
Singer-songwriter pianist Jeffery Straker is excited to be back as part of the Telemiracle 49 cast. He grew up taking piano lessons in the small Saskatchewan farming town of Punnichy and has gone on to perform over 100 shows per year across Canada, the UK and Latin America. Serving up a rootsy-storytelling brand of song, his song-writing has the ability to transport a listener – out onto a northern lake or to the main street of a prairie town.
Across 8 albums to date critical comparisons have been drawn to the likes of Harry Chapin, Kris Kristofferson & Billy Joel while performances have seen him live on BBC radio, on theatre stages and performing to festival crowds. Named ‘Roots-Folk Artist of the Year’ in consecutive Saskatchewan Music Awards Jeffery has also been honoured with a Western Canadian Music Award. The Saskatchewan Country Music Awards have named him keyboard player of the year 4 years running and he’s also just been nominated for a 2025 Canadian Folk Music Award as “Contemporary Canadian Folk Singer of the Year”. He debuted his latest album ‘Great Big Sky’ (June 2024) with a series of unique performances in grain elevators across Saskatchewan and followed that with a showcase at AmericanaFest in Nashville, Tennessee. Following a tour of the United Kingdom (November 2024) he returns across the pond to showcase at the “Your Roots are Showing” Folk Music Festival in Killarney Ireland in January 2025.
He received royal recognition from His Majesty King Charles who was moved by a song Jeffery wrote for the Lieutenant Governor’s 2023 Coronation celebration. The King’s response and well-wishes for his UK tour made national news in Canada.
Wherever Jeffery performs he connects with audiences and to that end CBC Radio recently said: “Straker has a way of drawing us into his world and making us feel like we’re a welcome guest; an old friend he’s ready to catch up with”.
Jill Straker was born and raised near small town Punnichy, Saskatchewan. She grew up singing at the old upright piano on the family farm with her brother, Singer/Songwriter/Piano Player Jeffery Straker, and has been singing professionally with him as his backing vocalist for over 17 years. Jill has had the pleasure of traveling across Canada with Jeffery, singing in festivals, house concerts and theatre shows.
When Jill isn’t performing with Jeffery, she works as an Administrative Assistant and is a mom to her busy, beautiful daughter. In the past few years, Jill has gained a whole other league of fans when she launched a home business of making and selling cheesecakes. As she always says, “you don’t make friends with salad!”
Growing up watching Telemiracle and having close friends benefit from the funds raised, Jill has always had a special place in her heart for the telethon. She is grateful to be back for her 14th year, and as part of the National Cast for Telemiracle 49!
Born and raised in Moose Jaw, Lisa Franks developed a deep love for sports and the outdoors from a young age. At just 14, her life took a dramatic turn when a cluster of blood vessels burst in her spinal cord, leaving her paralyzed from the neck down. Over time, she regained the use of her arms and adapted to life using a wheelchair. It was during this period that she discovered wheelchair racing, a sport in which she quickly excelled, eventually earning six gold and one silver medal at the Paralympic Games.
Lisa’s passion for innovation and accessibility led her to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan. Her love for the outdoors sparked an interest in adaptive mountain biking, and she has since been actively involved in projects mapping outdoor trails for accessibility. During the summer months, she leads the Saskatchewan Adaptive Mountain Bike Club and in the winter you can often find Lisa surfing the waves of the west coast – all while traveling in her custom wheelchair accessible campervan.
Having lived, studied, worked, and thrived in Saskatchewan her entire life, Lisa holds a deep appreciation for the province and its community. Witnessing the unity and generosity of Saskatchewan’s people through initiatives like Telemiracle has only strengthened her pride in calling this place home.
Luc Johner is a husband, father of three, singer, songwriter, pianist, and photographer based out of Saskatoon, Canada. He is part of the band The Johner Boys with three of his brothers. For over a decade, they have performed across western Canada on their own as well as with their dad and uncle, The Johner Brothers. This is Luc’s 12th year on the Telemiracle National Cast.
A “Storyteller by heart,” Sabeen has certainly found her calling in the world of radio and television, as well as public speaking, professional event emceeing, and hosting. Over nearly 20 years in front of the camera and microphone, there are precious few places where Sabeen hasn’t made her presence felt – raising the level of any endeavor she involves herself in to one that is truly world-class.
Armed with poise and comportment that see her excel under any circumstance, Sabeen honed her craft early, allowing her to combine fresh, youthful energy with the refined grace and self-possession of a seasoned veteran.
The unique pairing of these skills and abilities has seen Sabeen curate a sparkling resume, the likes of which are largely unrivaled in her field. Along with working at CTV Regina, working with organizations like The Saskatchewan Rush, Roughriders Football Club, The Canadian Football League, and the Grey Cup Committee, as well as the City of Regina and Regina Police Service, just to name a few, Sabeen’s passion for her community continues to shine through with each new, decidedly large-scale project she undertakes.
A champion away from the spotlight, she also gives her time and talents to various organizations, advocating for mental health and women’s initiatives across the province.
Teagan Littlechief is a proud Cree woman from the White Bear First Nations north of Carlyle, Saskatchewan. Teagan is currently the reigning SCMA Indigenous Artist of the Year, for the second year in a row, and recipient of the last Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Award. Teagan’s distinctive powerhouse vocals, and high energy shows have made her a well-known and beloved Saskatchewan performer. In 2022 Teagan received National recognition, playing one of the largest stages in Canada; the 109th Canadian Grey Cup. Not only did Teagan sing the National Anthem, but she made history singing the Anthem in 3 languages: English, French and Cree. Her performance created a large buzz on social media and within mainstream media.
Littlechief is a passionate advocate for bringing awareness to two major causes: Domestic Abuse and Substance abuse. Since 2017 Teagan has been combining her passion for touching hearts through music and speaking to others about the dangers of Substance Abuse. By sharing her own story with music, humour, and hope Teagan has created “Rise Above”; A story of one Cree woman’s battle and survival with Domestic Abuse and Substance Abuse. Teagan’s hope is by sharing her story with youth, women, both Indigenous and Non-Indigenous communities and groups, she can maybe affect change in one person’s life.
The Telemiracle House Band is made up of five of Saskatchewan’s elite musicians, with about 250 years (!) of combined professional experience in all styles, from country to jazz to pop/rock to blues and beyond. Led by Sheldon Corbett (saxophone/keyboard), the other members are: Jack Semple (guitar/vocals), Dave Chobot (bass/vocals), Don Griffith (keyboards/vocals) and Glenn Ens (drums/percussion). These seasoned veterans, busy throughout the year with countless musical projects, look forward to working together once again to provide the energy and dynamics of live music for this year’s Telemiracle show.
