Gone Country 10: Music Festival Ends on a High Note

Gone Country, the music festival founded by local twin brothers Jamie and Chris Ruscheinski, has raised funds for cancer support across the Fraser Valley and Vancouver since the brothers lost their mother to the disease as teenagers.

“It’s been a wild ride,” Jamie reflects. “When we started fundraising over 20 years ago, we were obviously much younger, and so were the guests at our events. Many of them were just starting their careers and could only afford to donate $20. These same amazing people are still supporting us, and now they’re donating thousands at a time through VIP tables, gifts in kind or corporate sponsorship. It’s really incredible.”

Gone Country has steadily grown in popularity with music fans. The first year saw 2,000 tickets sold, and the last six years have averaged 6,000 tickets sold annually.

The Ruscheinski brothers started with backyard fundraisers and eventually moved to hosting large outdoor concerts at Cloverdale Fairgrounds, with all proceeds going to cancer-related causes. Today, they both serve with Langley Community Health & Hospital Foundation’s Board of Directors.

The final event, held on July 20, 2024, hit a record-breaking $1.45 million raised thanks to the generosity of guests, sponsors and volunteers. It was a night of milestones: the 10th and final Gone Country festival, a celebration of the twins’ grandmother’s 97th birthday and a heartfelt thank you to the 300 volunteers credited with making the event such a success each year.

While every year brings memorable moments with fans, performers and volunteers, Jamie says this year had him reflecting on the growth in the community, the music scene and his own family.

“When we started this event, neither of us had kids. This year, we brought our families up on stage with us to say goodbye. It was an experience the older ones will never forget, and we have lots of pictures for the younger ones. When they’re teenagers, they’ll realize their parents used to be cool.”