Stampede 2010
On a crisp November morning, I am contemplating all that has happenned in the last few weeks. I have been fairly exhausted with work trying to coordinate a return the Wild Rose country this summer. I have been approached by the Western Heritage arm of the Calgary Stampede to return for a performance in July of 2010. I am thrilled to accept this offer, not only for the excitement of the Calgary Stampede, but also for the stage in which I am honoured to perform on. The Western Heritage Stage celebrates real cowboy culture and heritage. I have the opportunity to share this stage with cowboy poets like BJ Smith, who humours his audience with events that have really happend. He crafts these experience into a format that carry on a story tellers tradition, and have people laughing and applauding his work. This stage doesn’t get the notariety of the dance hall stages, but it aligns so much with where my heart lies in cowboy music.
We are currently coordinating a tour through Saskatchewan (including my favorite area, Maple Creek) and Alberta. Unlike last year, I am looking at bringing out the band with me this year. We are looking at many rodeos and country fairs during this span of a week and a half. If you live in these areas, check the program and check us out.
Cowboy Country
I was throughly honoured to have my CD reviewed by Hugh Mclennan in the most recent issue of Canadian Cowboy Magazine. This is a magazine that celebrates the Canadian West, and people who have left their mark in our history. I was thrilled to be a part of an issue that runs so close to the CFR, as well I was excited, to see Jim Peace’s album Circle Rider reviewed alongside my own. I met Jim this past summer when I performed out in Cochrane, AB. I have enjoyed this album, as well as discs by Matt Robertson and Allen Christie. It has been great to make some friends out West. Please click here to read the review in Canadian Cowboy Magazine, and if you don’t already, subscribe to this great magazine. You won’t regret it!
Canadian Cowboy Family
Two years ago this February, my wife and I were in a serious roll over coming home from the states with my parents. It was icy, we lost control, hit the shoulder, and rolled into the ditch. Thankfully, we were all buckled up, and left hanging upside down from our seatbelts. We all walked away, but that night we had tickets to see Corb Lund perform with the Hurtin’ Albertans in Winnipeg. Needless to say, we did not make it to the performance. Lund’s writing has been a major influence on me over the past number of years.
Last night we were fortunate enough to see the guys perform at the Burton Cummings theatre. What a great performance. My wife and I had a fabulous time enjoying some great music. After the show, I had a chance to meet Corb, and although I have had many opportunities to meet high calibre musicians, I have yet to find myself star struck. Here I was searching for words that weren’t coming when finally I was able to say thanks for the music. His ability to capture real Canadian life and bring it to crowds down in Texas, and even Australia is a testament to who he is, and demonstrates how you can be most successful if you just be yourself. Lund continues a cowboy tradition that has been passed onto him from his family. I would love to see an article in an upcoming issue of Canadian Cowboy about the history, legend, and artwork of the Lund family.
ps – the show was made that much more memorable, when we found ourselves sandwiched in between guitarist extraordinare Grant Siemens’ parents and older brother with his wife. Grant was born in Alberta, but is proud to have been raised in Manitoba. As it turns out, his family has roots very close to where my wife and I now live. Mr. and Mrs. Siemens, thank you so much for the conversation. I wish you safe travels as you follow the band on this current run across the Prairies.
Tour Updates
As the summer approaches, I will have updates on where you can find us playing on the Prairies.