One of Canada’s most acclaimed musicians, Ron Sexsmith, brings his show to Powell River on Thursday, May 18, at Max Cameron Theatre. The singer/songwriter is on tour promoting his 13th studio album, The Last Rider, the first he has recorded with his touring band.
In the past, Sexsmith said he never played small towns in Canada. Instead, he took his live shows to major centres in North America and abroad, particularly in the United Kingdom, where he enjoys extreme popularity. Now, he said, he loves playing places such as Powell River.
“The audiences are great,” said Sexsmith. “They’re very appreciative.”
Any small town is fortunate to have one of the greatest singers and live performers of our generation visit and put on a live concert. Sexsmith’s band includes his longtime drummer Don Kerr, who shares co-production credits.
“My drummer and I go back to when we worked at the same courier company; our first gig was actually playing the Christmas party for that company in 1987,” said Sexsmith. “We’ve always had this nice vocal blend. He has this beautifully high voice. As a drummer, he’s a songwriters dream.”
Sexsmith loves to tour and said the experience is the fun part of the whole process.
“Sometimes I have to go out on tour by myself and it’s not as fun,” he said. “I love when we’re all backstage and all the instruments are set up and then we go out and play. That’s the payoff for all the time you spend writing the songs and trying to get the record out.”
Sexsmith, a three-time Juno award winner, has been underrated throughout his entire career. He has been referred to as a songwriters’ songwriter and is greatly admired by famous musicians such as Elvis Costello, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Steve Earle, Sheryl Crow and Bob Dylan.
Tickets for the show, which includes opener Jessica Mitchell, are available at Roxy Records, Base Camp, Rockit Music, River City Coffee, Powell River Peak and online at brownpapertickets.com, or by calling 1.800.838.3006.
Ron Sexsmith: The Last Rider
When: 7:30 pm, Thursday, May 18
Where: Max Cameron Theatre
Price: $35
Info: paulmercsconcerts.com
