Strathmore Musical Arts to host Steve Pineo

By Laureen F. Guenther Times Contributor

Steve Pineo, an Alberta songwriter and musician, will perform at the Strathmore Travelodge, Nov. 16.
The concert is sponsored by the Strathmore Musical Arts Society and tickets include a gourmet dinner.
“You could probably define our music as blues and roots,” said Pineo. “I’ll be playing guitar, slide guitar and harmonica as well as handling the lead vocals.”
Paul Wells will play the keyboard, Kelly Kruse will be on drums and Brian Pollock will play bass. Kruse, Wells and Pollock also sing.
Mary Ann Santerre-Oxtoby, an award-winning singer from Hussar, will perform the opening act.
Pineo said about 70 per cent of the songs he’ll perform will be his originals. He’ll also do some favourite covers, which he rearranges to make the performance his own.
Romeo and Juliet, by Dire Straits, is one of the favorites he’ll likely perform, he said.
“Mark Knopfler is one of my favourite musicians and his approach to guitar is unique and fascinating to me,” Pineo said. “I learned the tune (Romeo and Juliet) from a musician friend who was teaching guitar. I played what I thought was the proper way to play it and he showed me how Knopfler had done it, which was completely different.
“My new songs are usually a little more political, which isn’t surprising given the turbulent times we’re living in,” he added. “I may do one called Politics, Economics and Religion, about the three things you’re not supposed to talk about. I have one about a Maritimer who can’t afford to live in Alberta. I have one about the apocalypse, but it’s humorous in a Dylanesque way.”
His shows include a variety of styles, Pineo said, which is only one of the reasons many people enjoy them.
“My shows don’t feature songs that all sound the same,” he said. “I try to be an engaging performer and tell jokes and stories.”
Audience members also say they enjoy his shows for the musicianship and original arrangements, he said, as well as for his thoughtful, well-written songs.
“I love the feeling that any show you do might be your best show,” he said. “Like the typical golfer, I get up to the stage like it’s the first tee and I plan to make birdies all day.”
Steve Pineo and his band perform at the Strathmore Travelodge on Nov. 16. Doors open at 6 p.m., dinner is at 7 p.m. and the concert begins at 8 p.m. The $50 ticket includes a gourmet dinner. Get tickets and more information at strathmorearts.com or by calling 403-680-7721. Tickets are also available at Assist Business Centre, Chinook Financial, Pro Water Systems and Authentic Roots Salon. To listen to a sample of Steve Pineo’s music, go to stevepineo.com/listen.