Stars ready to shine at Rainmaker Rodeo

The Rainmaker Rodeo is St. Albert's urban answer to the old west. Throughout the day, bull riding, steer wrestling and calf roping test a cowboy's mettle. And in the evening when the stars come out — both in the sky and on stage — it is time to party.

Coming May 22 to 24, the Rainmaker Rodeo is a three-day blitz ranging from rodeo competitions, pony races and a petting zoo to a midway, regimental musical ride and an Iams Superdog extravaganza.

With a history that started in 1965, the Kinsmen Club of St. Albert has developed the rodeo from a one-trick pony to the largest semi-professional rodeo in the province.

But in modern society urban cowboys no longer sit around a campfire under the twinkling stars. Instead they gallop toward brightly lit concert arenas. And this year, the Kinsmen have imported a roster of Canadian talent that is second to none.

Friday night opens with a mix and match of sizzling rock talent — 54-40, David Wilcox, Econoline Crush, China White and Twentyone 7. And Saturday's country night bill welcomes this year's hottest country acts — George Canyon, Aaron Pritchett, Lisa Hewitt and Six West.

Friday Rock Night

With close to 30 years in the industry, headline act 54-40 is a bold testament to longevity and relevance. Notching 19 albums on their belt, their latest 2008 release Northern Soul tackles thorny issues dealing with social justice, human rights and war.

Although no longer the wild post-punk rock band of the early 1980s, there is still a sharp edge to their work. The self-titled track, Northern Soul, challenges the "moral bankruptcy" perpetuated by President George Bush with two illegal invasions.

"I firmly believe we shouldn't be fighting any war. The only result is that mothers lose their kids," says lead/singer songwriter Neil Osborne, whose oblique stream of consciousness lyrics have defined the band's image.

In its heyday, 54-40 was entrenched in college radio stations on both sides of the border. In addition to great guitar riffs, crafty melodic hooks and a driving beat, their uncompromising stands on issues endeared them to fans that appreciated the power of their message.

Three decades down the road their flamboyant antics have mellowed. Although secure as a brand, 54-40 still articulates society's pulse. "We're pretty comfortable. We enjoy the subtleties of the moment. We enjoy interfacing with a crowd and massaging the concert along."

Also on the Rainmaker bill is another road warrior of that same era — David Wilcox. A guitar god to many, this blues-rock artist parlayed an excessive lifestyle steeped in sex, drugs and rock and roll into some compelling albums — My Eyes Keep Me in Trouble and Bad Reputation.

Wilcox received his first serious boost when Ian and Sylvia Tyson hired him to play backup for their band, The Great Speckled Bird. "For two years this gig brought him in contact with some singular acts — Anne Murray, Carl Perkins and Charlie Rich. "I was blessed or lucky. Doors opened for me and I got recording contracts," says Wilcox from his Toronto home.

Two years later he struck out solo and by 1977 debuted with Out of the Woods, which produced several top hits Do the Bearcat, Bad Apple and That Hypnotizin' Boogie. "He credits his quirky lyrics on a Shakespearean trait. "I believe in eavesdropping. I listen to life."

He was championed for his insane guitar chops, humorous lyrics and an "edge of madness singing." From acoustic to synthesizer rock, Wilcox has come full circle back to a blues/rock with Boy in the Boat released from Stony Plain Records in 2007.

Also on tap Friday night is the newly reinvented Econoline Crush. The two-time Juno nominees temporarily disbanded and reunited to propel themselves back into the Canadian musical landscape. The industrial rock band released their fourth album, Ignite, in 2008 and spent the better part of the year touring with Alice Cooper and Three Days Grace wooing hungry fans.

Saturday Night Country

For some George Canyon, 39, is cool. For others he's hot. Either way, Rainmaker Rodeo scored a real coup by signing on the multiple Juno and Canadian Country Music Award winner for its headline act.

The square-jawed singer, a Nova Scotia transplant now living in Calgary, last visited St. Albert during his In A Quiet Room Tour back in 2007. Since then he's released What I Do, a 13-track album that affirms his deepest commitment to family and friends.

One track, Just Like You, a co-write with Gary Harrison and Richard Marx, was inspired by his son and dedicated to his dad who died of cancer five years ago. It hit No. 4 on the Canadian country charts. "It's something my dad could say to me and in turn I could say to my son," says Canyon, who skilfully blends gravity with a genuine love of old-fashioned storytelling.

In Betty's Buns, his wife Jennifer, a respected horse trainer, helped pen the lyrics. "My mother-in-law Betty makes the best homemade buns. We thought we'd right the song as a joke with a cute little hook."

But it's not all about family. Chad Kroeger was a writing partner for What I Do and Chuck Cannon, the man who wrote Toby Keith's How Do You Like Me Now gave Canyon the more frivolous If I Was Jesus.

Canyon feels a special connection to the St. Albert area. As a young boy, he'd always dreamed of becoming a pilot with a military career. But juvenile diabetes grounded that dream. Canyon continues to support Canada's forces and is honorary colonel at 14 Wing Greenwood. "I'm really excited to come up and play, and of course there's a strong military presence."

Opening for Canyon is good friend Aaron Pritchett, back for his second consecutive year at Rainmaker Rodeo. The Juno nominated country performer is on a roll and released his fourth album Thankful in 2008. After remastering and remixing Big Wheel, it was re-released about three months ago.

A proven success, it has three Top 10 releases — Hold My Beer at No. 9, A Warm Safe Place at No. 6 and Big Wheel at No. 3. This time around a techno sound has been added to Big Wheel.

The British Columbia artist is slated for a 90-minute set. "It's definitely a high-energy show that keeps you on your feet from start to finish, and I'll be singing some unexpected songs to amp up the show. I want to make the average listener have as much fun as me," says Pritchett.

Edmonton's rising country star Lisa Hewitt is also featured as one of the opening acts. With two new things in her life — a baby daughter named Abigail and a CD titled Fearless, Hewitt is set to take the world by storm. "Abigail has given me a new joy. I was focused before, but she's really focused it for me," says Hewitt.

There's the title track Fearless, co-written by Dwayne Steel and inspired by a friend journeying through breast cancer. She's penned a love song between mother and child aptly named Born to Love You, and then there is the tongue-in-cheek Balls. "Sometimes it takes balls to be a woman. That's a great song for my little girl," she chuckles. Playing backup guitar is St. Albert's own Gordie Matthews.

For extensive rodeo information visit www.rainmaker.ab.ca.