By Nigel Maxwell

He’s good folk: Canadian icon takes stage for Grey Owl Centre anniversary

May 21, 2018 | 12:48 PM

Canadian folk music icon Valdy played for a sold-out crowd in Waskesiu Saturday night at Terrace Gardens hall.

Valdy was there to help celebrate the 20th anniversary of Grey Owl Centre. During his nearly two hour show, Valdy had the crowd cheering, clapping and singing along to all his hits as well as a few other songs from his 14 albums. After the show, Valdy told paNOW how much he still loved to perform.

“The magic that can happen in a room when you get up and perform, that is the real hook,” he said. “I love music, I love people but that magic is the chocolate.”

In addition to playing, Valdy also shared the stories behind the music, like the time he was invited to an outdoor rock and roll concert and received a less than lukewarm reception from the die hard rock fans. Valdy’s hit song “Rock and Roll Song” was written shortly after as a reflection on his experience. 

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“I like irony and I like seeing communities doing things to help themselves and I’m a sucker for sad tale too,” Valdy said.

Valdy has won two Juno awards and has seven additional Juno nominations. In November 2005, he received the National Achievement Award by the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada. Valdy was appointed a member of the Order of Canada in June 2011. He said as long as he can, he will continue to write songs and sing.

“The music moves people, as a songwriter that’s all we hope for because it has a positive effect on peoples’ lives,” he said.

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell