Comes to East Longview Community Hall Friday May 9 & Saturday May 10

The end of 2022 marked the passing of Ian Tyson, one of the finest songwriters of the twentieth century.

Tyson’s was a run that touched on six decades, and his canon is one that is critically respected for the vastness of its subject nature along with its sheer musicality, that drew on so many styles and influences.

The singer-songwriter, bandleader, horseman and rancher was also a mentor, as well as employer of some of the best musicians on the Alberta roots music scene, from the time he relocated from Toronto to the foothills of Alberta back in 1976.

Five long time members of Tyson’s musical ensembles continue to come together as The New Chinook Arch Riders with the mission of keeping his remarkable songbook alive, under the banner of The Gift: The Words & Music of Ian Tyson.

This riveting show comes to Tyson’s old stompin’ grounds at the East Longview Community Hall on Friday May 9 and Saturday May 10. Under the direction of pianist and singer Stewart MacDougall, The Gift visits all the chapters of Tyson’s career, from his folk-singing and country rock days with Sylvia Tyson, through his hardcore honky-tonk years, and on to the substantial “cowboy culture” catalogue that produced great recordings like Old Corrals & Sagebrush, Cowboyography, Lost Herd and of course, Live at Longview.

MacDougall, fiddle ace Calvin Vollrath, guitarist Gord Matthews, drummer Thom Moon and bass player Julian Kerr worked extensively with Tyson. Their years with Tyson amount to over 60 years in the studio and on the road. In Vollrath’s case he also backed Tyson when he hosted the Edmonton- produced Sun Country television series, while MacDougall not only toured with Tyson, but wrote a handful of songs with the master including the title track to Tyson’s 2009 Yellowhead to Yellowstone release. Tyson also recorded MacDougall’s song Wind In The Wire on his 1989 album I Outgrew The Wagon.

The New Chinook Arch Riders are joined by three exceptional singers. Those three are, popular rodeo circuit and country festival performer Tracy Millar, Ian Oscar formerly of One Horse Blue, and John Wort Hannam who recently won two Canadian Folk Music Awards (Solo Artist of the Year and Contemporary Album of the Year).

“Everything about the show is top-drawer and the singing and the vocal arrangements are simply delicious,” says Cindy McLeod, the producer and artistic director of the Calgary Blues Festival.

The Gift comes to Longview following a number of sold-out theatre dates across Alberta and Saskatchewan. The Gift has also been called “a must see show for all fans of Ian Tyson”, by respected CKUA broadcaster Allison Brock who hosts the popular Wide Cut Country show.

The show has also been well-received at major country fests like Big Valley Jamboree and Dauphin Country Fest, as well as diverse events such as the Edmonton Folk Music Festival or the Alberta Scene Festival which was hosted by the National Arts Centre in Ottawa.

Tyson enjoyed The Gift so much he sat in with the troupe a few times, and the master songwriter loved The Gift companion album that featured members of the touring ensemble, as well as Jennifer Warnes, Blue Rodeo, Corb Lund, The McDades, Gordon Lightfoot, and Tom Russell performing their interpretations of Tyson classics.

“Yes, the songs are obviously brilliant and iconic, and it’s such a privilege to play them with musicians who had a hand in creating Tyson’s body of work. The Gift is also a celebration of something that is uniquely Canadian,” says John Wort Hannam who steps into, and takes full control of Tyson songs like 18 Inches of Rain, Saddle Bronc Girl and Land of Shining Mountains during his part of the show.

For the Longview concerts, audiences will hear over two dozen Tyson songs including the hits like Someday Soon, Summer Wages, Alberta’s Child, Navajo Rug, Four Strong Winds, and Some Kind of Fool alongside deep album tracks such as La Primera, Cowboy Pride, MC Horses, Casey Tibbs, Elko Blues and of course, The Gift.

Tickets for the East Longview Hall concerts on May 9 & 10, are available online at Eventbrite.ca

Scan QR code for tickets HERE →

For further information and media interviews please call Peter North at 587-989-3034 or at hendrix@telus.net

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