Blake Reid Band to perform in Strathmore

By Laureen F. Guenther Times Contributor

The Blake Reid Band will perform a concert at the Strathmore Travelodge, Sept. 28.
Tickets include a gourmet dinner, and local musicians Erinn Gregory and Katie McKinnon are the opening act. The event is sponsored by the Strathmore Musical Arts Society.
Reid and his band have played in the Strathmore area, but this is their first time in Strathmore itself.
“We’re excited for the show,” Reid said.
The band includes Jason Valleau, Aaron Young, Jon May and Craig Bignell. “These guys are incredibly talented, a little warped and a whole lot of fun,” Reid said.
“Much of our material is based on small town life of Western Canada. We can really connect with the audience through stories and songs about the colourful life of folks from the prairies.”
Of their numerous crowd favourites, Reid said, their most popular requests are Three Quarter Time, Big Train and Nick the Dog.
“Big Train is definitely one of my favourites,” he said. “My grandpa purchased the family farm from country music legend Wilf Carter and that’s where I was raised. Big Train is a true story about grandpa and Wilf taking on the CPR near Rocky Mountain House.”
They’ll also perform some new songs. One of those is called Price of a Good Day, based on a character Reid knew when he was a child.
“Growing up, we had an old blind neighbour who was a very interesting individual,” he said. “(He) had incredible insight that he shared with me when I was a 12-year-old boy on the farm.”
To get a taste of Blake Reid Band’s music, watch the band’s music documentary No Roads In, on the CBC Documentary Channel and on YesTV networks. Or see their film trailer at blakereid.com. Reid said the film trailer will give a hint of what the Strathmore concert will be like.
“This is one of our few Alberta shows this fall, before heading through Saskatchewan in 2020,” he said. “It’ll definitely be one you want to attend. The audience will join us on a heartfelt journey through the joys and challenges of everyday life in Alberta. We’ll share some great stories, music and laughs on Sept. 28. It’ll be a great night.”
To purchase tickets, go to strathmorearts.com or call 403-680-7721 or 403-630-3180. The concert with dinner takes place at Strathmore Travelodge; doors open at 6 p.m.