Tribute Band Member watches Lightfoot onstage
 

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Gordon Lightfoot tribute band member watches Gordon Lightfoot band member live
Published: Saturday, June 12, 2010, 5:40 AM Updated: Saturday, June 12, 2010, 5:47 AM
Rachael Recker | The Grand Rapids Press

Katy Batdorff | The Grand Rapids PressGroovin': Keyboardist Mike Heffernan, bassist Rick Haynes, and drummer Barry Keane perform with Gordon Lightfoot at DeVos Performance Hall Friday evening.

GRAND RAPIDS -- For Todd Golnick, watching Gordon Lightfoot and his four-piece band on stage Friday night was a little bit like watching himself.

Actually, it was a lot like watching himself on stage at DeVos Performance Hall, but like watching version of himself portraying Lightfoot lead guitarist Terry Clements.

"I grew up with the music. Look how long it's lasted," he said.

Golnick, of Cadillac and a cop by day, performs as Clements in the only (as far as he knows) Gordon Lightfoot tribute band, "Whispers of the North -- The Gordon Lightfoot Tribute" (lightfootband.com), based in Mackinac City.

Golnick said real Lightfoot keyboardist Michael Heffernan invited him to come to the show and hang out backstage following the performance. He said since forming, the real Lightfoot band has become good acquaintances.

And Lightfoot has bestowed praise. Golnick recalled two compliments in particular: "Keep it goin'" and "Right on."

"When Gord says 'right on,' that means it's what he wants to hear," Golnick said, smiling.

Golnick was "talking technical" with his guest throughout the show, noting how band members played, what kind of instruments they were playing, what kind of amplification they were using.

Together for only two years so far, Whispers of the North tries to mimic everything about the real deal, right down to the last detail.

"I think musically they're nailing it," Golnick said of Friday's concert, noting the vocals weren't all there at first. "It's such a quiet, subtle concert. Gord always focuses on the music being right, tasteful."

E-mail Rachael Recker: rrecker@grpress.com and follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/rachaelrecker

Re: Tribute Band Member watches Lightfoot onstage
 

(Right On) Really good article.

Re: Tribute Band Member watches Lightfoot onstage
 

Gord's vocals have always gotten stronger as the night wears on. Apparently he doesn't warm up before a show (voice, anyway). Make me wonder if the early half of the shows would be stronger if he did, or if the second half would then fade out? I still say up the volume, please.