http://www.zoomermag.com/FineLiving/...?documentID=73
Photography By Paul Alexander
Jim Cuddy is a Road Warrior
By Peter Muggeridge
The Blue Rodeo frontman discusses the enduring popularity of the band and how long hell keep rockin
It was 5:30 on a rainy Maritime morning and Jim Cuddy found himself sitting in the Halifax airport waiting to catch a flight to Newfoundland. And, as people tend to do when theyre waiting for a plane at such an ungodly hour, he began questioning his existence.
Dammit, he muttered. What the hell is going on here? Why am I still doing this? The Blue Rodeo frontman was pondering whether, at the age of 53, he still had the energy needed to survive the less glamorous side of the rock n roll lifestyle.
That night, he got his answer. We had a gig in Grand Falls, Nfld and the fans were great. The band was tight, the crowd was hammered and everyone was singing along to all our songs -- even the kids who had come out to see Finger Eleven. It was electric.
The crowds enthusiastic reaction was an epiphany for Cuddy, reinforcing why he continues to ply his trade. No way I can handle a nine-to-five job. Touring with Blue Rodeo takes its toll. But the payout is huge.
The payout was even bigger this past April in Calgary, when Blue Rodeo snagged three awards at the Juno Awards, the annual gala to honour Canadian musical acts. This year, Blue Rodeo won Album of the year, Adult Alternative Album of the Year and Video of the Year.
Frankly, winning Album of the Year took us by surprise, he admitted in a July interview with Zoomer Magazine. There was stiff competition and winning really made us proud. We were one elated band.
Cuddy seems hard-pressed to explain Blue Rodeos enduring success, which began back in 1984 when these fresh-faced Ontario rockers burst on the Canadian music scene. Its an anomaly, he says, struggling to explain why the bands alternative rock/country offerings continue to resonate with listeners. We have a timeless sound that seems to appeal both to our established fans as well as the kids. We had a good album and a good tour, but we didnt expect this.
Winning big at the Junos was special for Cuddy, not only from the music side. Thats because he also participates in the Juno Cup, the annual shinny scrimmage that pits Canadian rockers against ex-hockey greats.
Cuddy has been a driving force behind the Juno Cup. Since its inception in 2004, the event has raised over $700,000 for MusiCan, which supports musical education in Canada. The charity provides grants for the purchase of instruments and the funding of scholarships.
This year big names from the Canadian music scene -- Tom Cochrane, Andrew Scott and Chris Murphy (Sloan), Mike Belitsky (The Sadies) and Zack Werner (Canadian Idol) laced up their skates to play against famed hockey players such as Lanny Macdonald, Doug Gilmour, Paul Coffey and Bob Probert.
The Rockers lost a tight one this year, 16-15 although Hall-of-Fame defenceman Coffey suggested the NHLers could have spotted the musicians 25 goals and still won. The game also featured a sing-off between Lanny Macdonald and Jim Cuddy. The fans sided with the mustachioed hockey player despite having, what Cuddy could only describe, as a miraculously horrible voice.
Cuddy says the rocker/hockey mix is a natural. Some of these hard-core rockers are like little kids when theyre around the NHL greats. And the hockey players find it exciting to mingle with musicians. Post-game, they down a few beers and share hilarious tales of life on the road which, unfortunately, are not for public consumption.
After the Juno fun it was back on the road again. While Blue Rodeo finishes its Small Miracles tour, his other act The Jim Cuddy Band began preparing for its October and November tour with Sheryl Crow. Although both he and band-mate Greg Keelor have successful side acts, Cuddy insists that Blue Rodeo takes precedence over everything else.
Because the group has been around forever, their concerts often draw long-time fans, many of whom have grown up with the band. We get the younger crowd but we also draw a lot of people in their 50s and 60s, grooving along for the whole concert.
Which leads to the inevitable question: How long will Blue Rodeo keep groovin? He points to Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson (both in their 70s) as examples of performers he admires who wont call it quits. And Cuddy? As long as I have the energy and the fans keep coming to our concerts, I dont see any reason to stop.
For information on Blue Rodeo tour dates, visit: bluerodeo.com. For information on the Jim Cuddy Band tour dates, visit: jimcuddy.com.
Jim Cuddy Interview
