Bif Naked
Beth Torbert, known more famously by her stage name Bif Naked, moved to The Pas with her family in 1975, where she started her elementary schooling at Kelsey Elementary. Her father, Dr. Ken Torbert, was a teacher of dental therapists and hygienists at Keewatin Community College (now known as UCN) until 1978, when they moved to Lexington Kentucky. In 1981, they moved back to Canada and settled in Dauphin. She wrote extensively about The Pas in her memoir “I, Bificus”, which was published by Harper Collins in 2016, which is available in hard cover, paperback and Kindle edition.
Q: Thank you for taking the time to talk with us, Bif, can you tell our readers a bit more about yourself?
A: No problem at all, I am very honored to be asked about The Pas! I am a recording artist and author and really would have loved to have become a doctor, but I dropped out of university (U of Winnipeg) to go on tour with my first band, and I never had a chance to return to my studies. I have worked for the past thirty years as a recording artist, and travel all over the world as a performer. I am also a breast cancer survivor, having been diagnosed at 36 years of age.
Q: What was the defining moment that led you to start your music career?
A: I think the defining moment for me was, basically, being asked to sing in a band. It was that simple! I had no vocal training, but was in the performing arts since I was a little kid. Starting in The Pas (!!) we had ballet lessons and piano lessons, and I continued training in these arts into my adult life. I was a natural performer and enjoyed all aspects of theater and performing. It was very natural for me to assume I could be the front person of a band.
Q: To date, what would you consider as the highlight of your music career?
A: I would have to say that one of the best parts of my career was the time I was on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and my parents could watch that on TV the same night. I had already been a touring musician for ten years at that time, but this TV appearance really gave me credibility with my family.
Q: What is the one thing you remember the most about your time spent in The Pas?
A: Well, I remember just about everything about my time in The Pas. My buddy, Anne Elmore (now "Mabel Elmore" a politician in Vancouver) lived down the street, as did The Harapiak family. The Trapper's Festival was where I entered a competition to "jig" and didn't win, of course, but loved it and entered year after year.
Q: If there was one piece of advice you could give to our readers, what would it be?
A: If I had one piece of advice to give to anyone, it would always be to be happy with your life and your efforts every day, whatever is going on. If you are disillusioned or joyful, it makes little difference, as you can get up tomorrow and try again. To be fearless and positive in your own life are the best things you can do for yourself, and for the world.
Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with us! We here at thepas.com would like to congratulate you on your success, and wish you continued success in the future! If you would like to know more about Bif, you can check out her aforementioned memoir, "I, Bificus". You can also follow her Facebook Page, or check out her website.
