Off-key northern singer has second hit tune

Sidney Castel can't carry a tune and sings off beat, but his original songs are making him the darling of radio listeners across Manitoba.

Castel's new song, The Thompson Song, is a follow-up to the popular novelty tune The Pukatawagan Song, which was an instant hit at last year's annual NCI Radio amateur talent contest. The song went to the top of NCI's charts for six straight weeks and received nationwide air play on CBC Radio.

Castel's latest effort is a tribute to the northern mining town of Thompson, which is Castel's second home.

Dave McLeod, station manager at NCI Radio in Winnipeg, says the 60-year-old Castel is more than just a novelty act.

"Some people were saying, 'oh, flash in the pan,' with Pukatawagan Song, and here he comes with a new song and – boom! – it's got mass appeal," he says.

McLeod says Castel's surprising success makes him a rising star in the aboriginal community. "He's a phenomenon – he's been invited to a lot of socials, he's been invited to some concerts," he says. "I know the Indigenous Games are talking about bringing in talent [and] his name is being brought up now."

McLeod says NCI is the only radio station playing Castel's new song. Fans looking for recordings of the tune will have to wait for the release of a limited-edition CD later this spring.