Killarney Guide

400 fans flock to the Shamrock to hear Blue Rodeo legend and son

BY KIM LANGEN

It was definitely one night in January to remember, as a legendary singer, songwriter and musician took the stage, strapped up with only a six-string acoustic guitar and harmonica frame, to a roaring crowd of fans.

Jim Cuddy, of Blue Rodeo, lifted up everyone packed into the Shamrock Centre with just the first few opening notes on the harmonica.  

And then transported us all with his still-perfect voice, and a perfect opening song – Five Days in May – which contains one of the best first stanzas every written:

‘They met in a hurricane,

Standing in the shelter out of the rain.

She tucked a note into his hand.

Later on they took his car,

Drove on down where the beaches are.

He wrote her name in the sand.

Never even let go of her hand.’

Accompanied by his son, Sam Polley, Cuddy delivered a number of fabulous Blue Rodeo hits throughout the Saturday evening performance. 

And what originally started as 15 dancing women in the centre aisle (and one lone adventurous male…) eventually grew to a whirling pack of ecstatic concert goers, including the seriously rocking ‘Ms. Alcock’ of Belmont, who moved and shook and raved for the whole evening with some great dance timing. 

Polley, also on acoustic six-string, was featured this last summer with his own band, Sam Polley and the Old Tomorrows. They played at the Sights and Sounds Festival, which drew a number of fans to the Saturday night show. 

Polley backed Cuddy on vocals and harmony, and, with his chin held high, he also belted out a number of his own songs, and included a cover of a riotous Hank 3 number to close down the night with a bang.

The opening act was Winnipeg singer, emerging songwriter and musician Kwiat (Polish for ‘flower’), who spoke of her Indigenous and Polish ancestry, and who also charmed the audience with her lively banter, complex piano, and lyrics. 

Her songs were of self-examination, emotion, and love, and her vocals sometimes went soaring out and above like floating clouds. 

Kwiat was quite witty and good with the audience, and possesses an impressive vocal range, especially in the high levels, where she sustained some amazing notes.

The concert was the first of four events, part of the 4th Annual HyLife Performing Arts Series, and hosted by the Killarney-Turtle Mountain Arts Council.

And it was also the final performance in a four-stop Manitoban tour this month by Cuddy and Polley, which included concerts in Flin Flon (Flin Flon Arts Council), Minnedosa (Minnedosa Performing Arts Committee), and Killarney (KTMAC). 

Organizers say that it was quite a coup to first lure a star like Jim Cuddy, then engage him into a small town tour, in an arctic province – in January, where anything can go wrong. 

“The three arts organizations worked with the Manitoba Arts Network to locate a high profile performer that was willing to perform in rural and northern Manitoba,” said Jane Ireland, arts administrator with KTMAC.  “We needed someone who could work within our budgets, and bring a big city concert to our smaller venues.  When we contacted Jim Cuddy and Sam Polley’s agent to explain what we were trying to do, she talked to Jim and Sam, and they were totally on board!  Jim and Sam made this happen, and we are so incredibly grateful.” 

They also did a concert in Winnipeg at the West End Cultural Centre, although this was not part of the rural Manitoba tour, she added.

Overall, it was a great evening, and so incredible to see Jim Cuddy live in our town (apparently they had a Gall grandmother that once lived here in Killarney) and singing his gorgeous heart out there up on the Shamrock Centre stage. 

Mr. Cuddy – you are still the one…

KWIAT ON STAGE – Winnipeg artist Kwiat (above, on keyboards) was the vibrant opening act for Saturday night’s packed Jim Cuddy and Sam Polley concert at the Shamrock.

STEFEN STRUTH/KILLARNEY GUIDE PHOTO

FATHER AND SON – Jim Cuddy (left) and his son, Sam Polley, jammed the Shamrock Centre on Saturday night with some big Blue Rodeo, Jim Cuddy and Sam Polley fans. Over 400 people attended, many driving in on the fabulously mild January night from other communities and cities. What a night!

TRY – Jim Cuddy, on keyboards, sings ‘Try,’ Blue Rodeo’s first hit ever and second biggest hit of all time, during the encore at Saturday’s concert. Below, a live video of Blue Rodeo’s biggest hit, ‘Til I Am Myself Again,’ which brought the crowd to their feet for the huge standing ovation that prompted the encore performance by Jim and Sam.

JAY STRUTH/KILLARNEY GUIDE PHOTOS AND VIDEO