The Smoking Aces blues band's performance at the Legion Hall on New Year's Eve could be a wrap for Cochrane's well-known blues band.

Leader and founding member John White says drummer Bob Stevenson is leaving the band to follow a solo career. Also, White is taking a six-month break to focus on songwriting and recording. 

"It will be the current lineup for the last time," says White. "Bob is leaving, and I'm not sure quite sure whether when I get back we'll restart Smoking Aces, or whether I will concentrate more on writing and recording."

"It will be nice to finish on a high with a nice local audience, and New Year's Eve seems to be the right time to do it."

Besides the numbers we've come to know and love, the band will perform some new songs slated for recording.

Formed in March 2011, the Smoking Aces have developed a strong following in southern Alberta over the years.

They cover the classics, but their numerous original compositions, penned by White, will mark their place in the blues. Cuckoo in My Nest, Hand Me Down Angel and their signature tongue-in-cheek Cowtown Blues are just a few.

They have three albums and a film score to their credit. Their last album, "Between the Tracks," featured all original songs.

Over the years, they've been regularly featured at Calgary's leading blues and roots music venues in addition to making several Cochrane, Bragg Creek, and festival appearances.

While the future of the band is in question, the blues will live on in the works of White.

He's established a fully-equipment home studio. Three scratch tracks have been recorded for a new album that has no firm timeline. It will feature past and present members of the Smoking Aces, as well as musicians that have appeared occasionally with the band.

The recording will largely be blues-based but will also reach out to Zydeco and Rockabilly on a couple of tracks, says White.

"The title of the band and the title of the album is a long way off. One of the nice things about this album is we're not tied by a time frame."

"I've got no time constraints. I can take my time and get it exactly how I want it to sound."

The Legion has two packages available. There's a dinner and show ticket for $50 ($45 for Legion members), and $30 ticket ($25 for members) for show only. The dinner starts at 6 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m.

Bubblies and snacks are being offered at midnight to celebrate the turn of the beginning of a new decade.