Paul Brandt, Aaron Lines visit Fort McMurray evacuees

Kevin Vokey, 37 his wife Lori, 38 and their 17-year-old daughter Dakotahave been livingat a campground in Wandering River, sinceevacuating Fort McMurray a week ago.

When theyhad to meet with their insurance agentin Sherwood Park, they decided tostop by theExpo Centre evacuation centre in Edmonton to see familiar faces.

They didn't expect those faces to be of their favourite country singers.

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"We couldn't have had better timing,"said LoriVokey. "I never factored in a hug from Paul Brandt or Aaron Lines.I just never dreamed that I'd live a situation where stars would want to hear our story."

Lines was born and raised in Fort McMurray. He grew up in the Beacon Hill neighbourhood almost completely destroyed by last week's wildfire. Little of the homes remain except theconcrete foundations and driveways.

"Your hometown is your hometown even if you've been gone a little while," said Lines. "Fort Mac was always like an old friend for me. That old friend you don't see as much as you want."

Brandt proudlyidentifies with the province of Alberta in his music, singing, "This place will always be my home ...I've been Alberta bound for all my life ...And I'll be Alberta bound until I die," in his songAlberta Bound.

Brandt said the evacuees' storiesinspire him.

"We're finding an incredible people that are full of resilience.They've taken a hard blow, " said Brandt. "We're assuring them that we're here to support them and stand by them in the long run."

He says there isn't any plans for a benefit concert right now, but wants to figure out what the need will be and says he'll be finding more ways to give emotional support.

Kevin Vokey feels that support. Brandt's visit isa reminder to hold his head high through thetough, uncertain future of returning to a city the Newfoundlander now calls home.

"You can tell by looking in his eyes that he's so sincerely hurt and heart broken," he said. "That we all have to go through this means a lot and it hits right in the heart. It's a confidence booster. Now we've got another story to tell our friends."

The Vokeys will live in Grande Prairie while Dakotafinishes her Grade 11 school year. But then they'll beFort McMurray boundwhere they've lived for 17 years to rebuild their Abasand home lost to the fire.