Front Porch Roots Revue is bringing their critically acclaimed show Up on Cripple Creek to the Empress on Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 7:30 p.m., featuring special guest John York of The Byrds.
Up on Cripple Creek: The Songbook of The Band, Bob Dylan and The Byrds is comprised of Western Canadian music veterans Front Porch Roots Revue covering the musical landscape created by these three connected groups.
Front Porch’s collective resume includes long associations with k.d. lang’s Reclines, Ian Tyson, the Edmonton Folk Music Festival House Band, John Lee Hooker, and Amos Garrett. Its members are bassist Ron Rault; harmonica ace Crawdad Cantera; guitarist Gord Matthews; pianist J.R. Shore; drummer Thom Moon; B3 organ player Garth Kennedy; and lead vocalist Doug Andrew.
John York, a guitar and bass playing singer-songwriter, is joining forces with Front Porch, is best known for his work as a member of The Byrds in the late sixties.
After stints as a session man working with the likes of The Mamas and The Papas, Johnny Rivers and the Sir Douglas Quintet, York joined The Byrds when founding bass player Chris Hillman exited the group to form the Flying Burrito Brothers.
York’s vocal and song-writing contributions to The Byrds were first heard on the Dr. Byrds & Mr. Hyde album, and then The Ballad of Easy Rider recording. Songs from these two albums included Byrds classics like Drug Store Truck Drivin’ Man, This Wheel’s on Fire, Ballad of Easy Rider, Gunga Din, Deportee, and Jesus Is Just Alright as well as the York-penned tunes Fido and Candy, the latter of which was used in the movie soundtrack of the same name.
Up on Cripple Creek is a blend of traditional country, folk, old-time string band, gospel, blues, and rock music performed by a solid crew of some of Western Canada’s best roots musicians.
Tickets to see Up on Cripple Creek at the Empress are $45 each and available at MacleodEmpress.com, by calling 403-553-4404 (toll-free at 1-800-540-9229), or at the Box Office on Main Street. For more information, contact us at 403-553-4404 or info@macleodempress.com.
All Empress Theatre concerts are generously sponsored by Alberta Foundation for the Arts.
