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9 | W aterloo C hronicle | T hursday,June 27,2019 w aterloochronicle.ca *Drivers should always be responsible for their own safe driving. Please always pay attention to your surroundings and drive safely. Depending on the conditions of roads, vehicles, weather, etc., the Toyota Safety Sense systems may not work as intended. Please see toyota.ca, your local Toyota Dealer or Owner's Manual for details. 12020 Corolla L (BPRBEM "A") 4.49% lease APR for 48 months. Weekly payment is $55 and $1,784 freight (includes PDI, OMVIC fee, EHF2 fee where applicable), levies and duties. License, insurance, registration and applicable taxes are extra. $1,800 down payment and first weekly payment ($55) due at lease inception. Total lease obligation is $13,315. 80,000-kilometre allowance; charge of $0.07/km for excess kilometres. Advertised offers applicable in Ontario only. Retailer may lease for less. Retailer order/ trade may be necessary (but may not be available in all cases). Conditions apply. Offers end July 2, 2019 and are subject to change or cancellation without notice. See your participating Ontario Toyota Dealer or visit http://www.getyourtoyota.ca/ontario for details. 2EHF - This covers the cost of collecting and recycling tires. Local dealer may charge additional administration/documentation fees or other fees up to $1,221. Fees may vary by dealer. getyourtoyota.ca ENDIN G SOO N! 2020 Corolla SE Upgrade Get Toyota Safety Sense™ at no extra cost on our most popular models.* Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection | Lane Departure Alert | Automatic High Beams | Dynamic Radar Cruise Control 2020 COROLLA L LEASE FROM $55 WEEKLY FOR 48 MONTHS AT 4.49% APR1 WITH $1,800 DOWN olla orC2020 adeUpgrSE I saw Johnny Cash live at the Centre in the Square when I was 10 years old and have been a fan of old coun- try and western music ever since. That's why I was recent- ly captivated by busker Nick Vernem, whose pow- erhouse voice soared over the hustle and bustle of the St. Jacobs Farmers' Market on a brisk, sunny morning. Armed with an acoustic guitar, and wearing dark sunglasses and a Resistol felt cowboy hat, Vernem belted out Merle Haggard's 1966 classic The Bottle Let Me Down as passersby tossed coins into this gui- tar case. "Country music was al- ways around growing up," said Vernem, when we struck up a conversation between songs. "I started performing for money in bars and restaurants when I was 15. Don't ask me why they ever let me hang around in dives like I used to play at that age, it makes me scratch my head think- ing about it now." I told Vernem, who has been busking at the market for the past four years, that he performs with a rare presence and artistry be- yond his years, evident in his hauntingly beautiful renditions of old country songs by Johnny Cash, Hank Williams and Waylon Jennings. "I play a bit of the better new stuff as well like Stur- gill Simpson, Chris Staple- ton and Corb Lund," said the 26-year-old from Listo- wel, who is a self-employed farrier and blacksmith. Blown away by his soul- ful, classic country sound, I asked Vernem if he was professionally trained. "I studied guitar and voice with several different teachers," he said. "I had a voice teacher in high school music named Dom Bertucci who I believe used to sing opera and played classical and flamenco gui- tar. He was really big on classical vocal techniques, which I think was a good foundation for me. Of course, I've gone and ru- ined it all with cowboy songs and honky tonks but I'm glad to hear that some of it stuck." I asked Vernem, who has been riding and work- ing with horses since his early teens, about the logo on his green hoodie that reads Oklahoma Horse- shoeing School. He replied, "I got the sweater when I was in school in Purcell, Okla., and I actually bought this felt Resistol hat as a gradu- ation present to myself when I was down there. This sweater has seen more dirt and horse ma- nure than a wheelbarrow." Vernem told me he has recorded some original songs he wrote, which are sometimes played on CHES-FM Erin Radio 91.7, on the Butcher's Block show on Sundays. "Bryce Butcher keeps bugging me to make some more stuff, so I should probably get on it," he said with a laugh. "I'd also like to start booking bar gigs and rodeo dances again. "But for now, you can count on seeing me at the market whenever I can find the time." I hope he finds lots of time, because I can't wait to hear his music again. Marshall Ward is a freelance writer and artist. Email is welcome at mar- shall_ward@hotmail.com. OPINION RAISED ON COUNTRY MARKET BUSKER SINGS GOOD OLD CLASSIC COUNTRY SONGS, SAYS MARSHALL WARD MARSHALL WARD Column Nick Vernem busks at the St. Jacobs Farmers' Market. Marshall Ward/Photo