The Stampeders, says their drummer, Vernon resident Kim Berly, are still playing more than 50 years after their debut for fun and profit.

And Berly makes it clear: itsa国际传媒檚 in that order sa国际传媒� fun, profit.

sa国际传媒淲esa国际传媒檙e still here and we enjoy the buzz we get from being on stage,sa国际传媒� said Berly as he and bandmates Rich Dodson (lead guitar) and bass player Ronnie King get set to kick off an 11-date tour of B.C. June 18 in Trail. The tour will stop in Vernon, at the Performing Arts Centre Monday, June 20, and at Kelownasa国际传媒檚 Community Theatre Tuesday, June 21.

sa国际传媒淲e have a very interactive show. Theresa国际传媒檚 nothing better than hearing a theatre full of people laughing. We donsa国际传媒檛 just play our songs and leave. Itsa国际传媒檚 wonderful.sa国际传媒�

The predominant Canadian rock sa国际传媒榥sa国际传媒� roll band of the 1970s, The Stampeders are bringing along all their classic hits: Wild Eyes, Carry Me, Oh My Lady, Devil You, Monday Morning Choo Choo, Minstrel Gypsy, Hit the Road Jack and, of course, the quintessential Canadian sa国际传媒� and Hall of Fame sa国际传媒� song, Sweet City Woman.

No sa国际传媒�70s group represented Canadasa国际传媒檚 musical identity to the world like The Stampeders. A quick look at Canadasa国际传媒檚 music scene from 1971 until 1976 confirms the group formed in Calgary before moving to Toronto was truly the countrysa国际传媒檚 international musical ambassadors, touring more extensively in Canada and overseas than any other Canadian group during that time.

Formed in 1966, the legendary Canadian trio is coming off a monthsa国际传媒檚 rest following a 25-gig tour of Ontario. It was their first live shows since the beginning of COVID.

sa国际传媒淚t was truly spiritual,sa国际传媒� said Berly, originally from Dawson Creek. sa国际传媒淧eople were so happy to be out. We were so happy to be playing live.sa国际传媒�

During the pandemic, Berly took to social media weekly, creating videos of him playing not drums but guitar, and singing obscure Stampederssa国际传媒� album cuts.

sa国际传媒淚t was great for me. It gave me a reason to keep playing and singing,sa国际传媒� said Berly, conceding, though, that hesa国际传媒檒l be on the skins for the tour. He sings lead on Stampederssa国际传媒� classics like Minstrel Gypsy, Oh My Lady and Wild Eyes.

Asked if he had a favourite Stampeders song, Berly said he loves all of them.

sa国际传媒淭he songs are all our children,sa国际传媒� he said. sa国际传媒淓ach one is special.sa国际传媒�

The Stampeders took time apart from one another in 1977, reuniting in 1992 and have been together ever since. Berly said he, Dodson and King are lifelong friends.

sa国际传媒淲e are performing better than we were during our (1970s) run,sa国际传媒� he said, adding with a laugh: sa国际传媒淭he two up front arensa国际传媒檛 running around the stage as much.

sa国际传媒淲esa国际传媒檙e still playing and singing very well.sa国际传媒�

The Stampeders have been recognized by SOCAN (Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada) for their Lifetime Achievement, been inducted into the SOCAN Songwriters Hall of Fame on five occasions and the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame for their 1971 seminal hit Sweet City Woman.

Reserved seating tickets for The Stampeders are $66.50 (tax and facility fees included, service charges may apply) and are available from Ticket Seller in Vernon (250-549-7469) and from all Select Your Ticket outlets for Kelowna (250-762-5050). Showtime is 7:30 p.m.

roger@vernonmorningstar.com
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