Sam Hurrie has been a major part of the Powell River music scene since arriving in the community more than four decades ago. Now it is time for him to pack his bags and move on.
The blues guitarist, originally from Toronto, has enjoyed an eventful and distinguished career. After touring throughout North America and Europe for much of the 1960s and ’70s he and his family came to live in Powell River. “My parents had moved here. We came out for a visit, liked it and stayed,” he said. “Off and on I’ve lived about 48 years in Powell River.”
During that time, Hurrie worked as a papermaker at what is now Catalyst Paper Corporation’s Powell River mill, and continued to enjoy a successful musical career. In those earlier days, Powell River had a thriving live music scene, he said. “There were lots of shows to do and there were dances every weekend at places like Dwight Hall and Stillwater Hall. I was quite busy for a lot of years here. My fans and I kind of grew up together, you might say.”
Today, the number of music venues and decent paying gigs are much harder to come by, something Hurrie attributes to changing musical tastes and demographics. “People in my generation don’t go out as much because they’re older, and the people coming up frankly don’t have the money. It’s not cheap to go out.”
Hurrie and his wife Jill are relocating to Nelson, BC, to be closer to family. “My wife misses her girls and she has young grandkids in the Kootenays. She wants to be closer to them.”
Though Hurrie will miss Powell River, he is looking forward to exploring and performing in parts of the province unencumbered by ferry travel. “We’ve got some things lined up for next year and being that it’s not isolated it will be a lot easier to find work and to get to it. Calgary is a day trip and the whole Kootenay region you can get to by car.”
Though the couple intend to come back to Powell River from time to time, he will be having a farewell concert next week. “I just want to thank all the people who’ve come out to my shows over the years, over the decades,” he said. “I really appreciate their support.”
The Sam and Jill Hurrie Going Away Party Blues Night takes place at 8 pm, Thursday, September 6, at Mckinney’s Pub.
