Photos by Wendy Shepherd
Band visits Guelph and draws memories similar to friends gathering around a kitchen table
Blackie and the Rodeo Kings are undoubtedly one of Canada’s many musical gems. Tom Wilson, Stephen Fearing, and Colin Linden, the three exceptional musicians who comprise the band, are not only well known in Canada for their unique sound, but are also well-known throughout North America.
Having performed ubiquitously since their founding in Hamilton, Ontario in 1996, they effortlessly exude the classic sounds of folk, rock, alternative, and country, while still managing to keep their sound fresh and new.
Their show at the River Run Centre on Friday, Jan. 24, artfully transported the audience back in time, to the days when family and friends would gather around kitchen tables to sing songs and reminisce about the ‘old days.’ True to the band’s style, they mesmerized the audience with a sensational show filled with exhilarating performances on the guitar, bass, and harmonica. The night was not only filled with music, but with stories about life, love, and hope.
The band ended the outstanding night by sharing simple words of wisdom – “I am not talking to you as individuals, I’m talking to us as a country. We have a responsibility to the rest of the world, to reach out and make this a better planet for children all over, not just in our cities, but all over the globe. And we have the power to do that, so open up your hearts, I promise you that you can and will change a life,” said Lee Harvey Osmond.
After leaving Guelph with some insightful words, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings continued their tour for their new album South, which was released on Jan. 14, 2013.