(Facebook)

By Nigel Maxwell

In loving memory

New Horizon lead singer remembered as passionate, humble and a great mentor

Sep 10, 2020 | 2:00 PM

Tributes are pouring in for Ken Pederson Jr., the lead singer of the popular Saskatchewan group New Horizon.

The 45-year-old, father of two, passed away last Friday.

In order to give fans and friends a chance to pay their respects, a memorial service was arranged for Thursday at Senator Allen Bird Memorial Centre. Kevin Joseph, a well respected local musician in his own right, has known Pederson since the late 1990s and the two have shared the same stage a number of times.

“There’s certain people that I have had the opportunity to perform with on stage that are what I would call a presence, and a presence will be lost when those people are lost, and a presence has been lost with Ken,” he said.

When describing what he will miss most about his friend, Joseph mentioned Pederson’s smile.

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“It’s something that you see when a kid discovers something that they absolutely love,” he said. “That smile was so illuminating on stage.”

The band New Horizon laid the groundwork for many Saskatchewan musicians. (Facebook)

While deeply saddened by the loss, Joseph said Pederson left a legacy, explaining there’s an entire generation of young northern singers who have been influenced by Pederson. One of those groups is Constant Reminder from James Smith Cree Nation. Lead singer Dantin Constant told paNOW he can fondly recall the first time the band met Pederson. Roughly five years ago the two bands shared a stage at Buffalo Narrows. At the time Constant Reminder was just getting started.

“Our dad was like ‘Hey guys look here’s the rock stars’ [pointing to New Horizon] and then Ken right away jumped up and says ‘No you guys are the rock stars,'” he said. “It was a huge compliment.”

Constant said ever since that day the two bands maintained a good friendship, and even shared song ideas. Constant said was Pederson was definitely a mentor.

“He was one of CR’s big bros and we really respected him through music and as a person,” he said.

(Facebook)

The memorial service is scheduled to run Thursday until 7 p.m. Due to COVID-19, no more than 30 people can be allowed in the gym at a time. According to a Facebook by organizer Sheryl Kimbley, the service is for everyone who loved Pederson and to help support his family.

“His ashes, guitar and the ones he loved the most will be there,” the post said.

(Facebook)

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell