I got to see the Sheepdogs this week.
For those few of you don’t know who that is, I’ll give you a quick rundown.
They’re one of Canada’s biggest rock bands right now. They were the first unsigned band ever to grace the cover of Rolling Stone magazine. They’ve played huge U.S. late night talk shows, have numerous Juno Awards and you hear their songs all over advertising on your television or computer, even if you don’t know that’s who it is.
They even played the opening ceremonies for 101st Grey Cup – the biggest football game in the country – back in 2013.
I never would have thought I’d catch them here in our little city while their star is still rising. Like many others, likely, I think of Campbell River as a place to see musical acts either well before they make it big – like recent acts Jesse Roper or Band of Rascals – or after they’ve peaked – think Chilliwack or Matthew Good.
But just this week we’ve seen both the Sheepdogs and Serena Ryder – who also happened to play the 101st Grey Cup – grace the stage in our little city.
Later this month, we’ll have the opportunity to see another of the greats in Canadian rock, 54-40, put on an acoustic performance celebrating their more than 30 years together as a band. Granted, nobody would claim they are at the height of their game, but I bet they’re as good as they’ve ever been. Making music with the same few people for that long will make you pretty musically tight, I would expect.
And they’re clearly not done yet, as they just released yet another album into their catalogue last month.
Then in March, we see a young latin music visionary in Alex Cuba. He’s won a Latin Grammy and and a Juno and collaborated with names like Nelly Furtado and Ron Sexsmith.
The following week, Colin James comes to town. Like 54-40, you would probably not say that James is on his way up, but you also can’t say he’s petering out. He just released his 18th album of blues-y rock and is still far and away the most popular bluesman on the Canadian music scene.
I guess what I’m getting at in this column is that we should feel extremely lucky to be provided the entertainment value we get here in Campbell River.
As much as I complain that there isn’t enough live music happening as regularly as I’d like – if it was up to me and it was financially viable, we’d have a live band playing at numerous establishments around town every night of the week – we’ve got world-class artists coming through complimenting the local arts scene pretty well.
Let’s not forget, after all, that there are local musicians playing around town fairly often, local actors putting on plays, celebrated authors coming to town for events like Words on the Water and beautiful art hanging in our local galleries and businesses – much of which was produced right here in Campbell River.
So the next time you’re complaining about how “there’s nothing to do here,” remember that there really is.
Or at least, there probably will be within a few days of whenever you’re complaining.