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: it含羞草研究社檚 in that order 含羞草研究社� fun, profit.

含羞草研究社淲e含羞草研究社檙e still here and we enjoy the buzz we get from being on stage,含羞草研究社� 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 Kelowna含羞草研究社檚 Community Theatre Tuesday, June 21.

含羞草研究社淲e have a very interactive show. There含羞草研究社檚 nothing better than hearing a theatre full of people laughing. We don含羞草研究社檛 just play our songs and leave. It含羞草研究社檚 wonderful.含羞草研究社�

The predominant Canadian rock 含羞草研究社榥含羞草研究社� 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 含羞草研究社� and Hall of Fame 含羞草研究社� song, Sweet City Woman.

No 含羞草研究社�70s group represented Canada含羞草研究社檚 musical identity to the world like The Stampeders. A quick look at Canada含羞草研究社檚 music scene from 1971 until 1976 confirms the group formed in Calgary before moving to Toronto was truly the country含羞草研究社檚 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 month含羞草研究社檚 rest following a 25-gig tour of Ontario. It was their first live shows since the beginning of COVID.

含羞草研究社淚t was truly spiritual,含羞草研究社� said Berly, originally from Dawson Creek. 含羞草研究社淧eople were so happy to be out. We were so happy to be playing live.含羞草研究社�

During the pandemic, Berly took to social media weekly, creating videos of him playing not drums but guitar, and singing obscure Stampeders含羞草研究社� album cuts.

含羞草研究社淚t was great for me. It gave me a reason to keep playing and singing,含羞草研究社� said Berly, conceding, though, that he含羞草研究社檒l be on the skins for the tour. He sings lead on Stampeders含羞草研究社� 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.

含羞草研究社淭he songs are all our children,含羞草研究社� he said. 含羞草研究社淓ach one is special.含羞草研究社�

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.

含羞草研究社淲e are performing better than we were during our (1970s) run,含羞草研究社� he said, adding with a laugh: 含羞草研究社淭he two up front aren含羞草研究社檛 running around the stage as much.

含羞草研究社淲e含羞草研究社檙e still playing and singing very well.含羞草研究社�

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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