Kyle Anderson said he has two passions in life, music and his family.
In an endeavour to combine those two he has created his latest album, A Family Original, based on original songs dedicated to those he loves most.
“This is by far my most personal approach to an album and it celebrates the two most important things to me, my family and music,” said Anderson who is hosting a CD release party at Opus Café and Bistro in the Cannery Trade Centre on Saturday at 8 p.m.
Anderson penned the songs from varying points of view including his grandson’s in Cohen’s Lullabye, channelled his inner Don Alder for fingerpicking skills on Threshold and his own feelings on becoming a grandfather in Younger Every Day.
“I am getting younger every day is my new mantra since I became a grandfather. I have three grandkids and it has rejuvenated me,” said Anderson, who produced the album and created all the music himself in his home studio.
The born and raised Penticton man formed the Amazing Rubber Band trio in 1997 which became one of the most popular local bands. They produced three albums of pop/dance songs and performed on patio’s, at special events and private parties. The long-time musician caught the bug of performing at an early age.
“I remember points in my life when music struck me. My Sunday school teacher with a big beautiful red Gibson acoustic guitar and the sound that captured me. I can remember being in Grade 2 sitting in the Carmi School gymnasium watching a performer that came in and I can even remember the song, Inch Worm. We sang it all together and this singer was magic,” said Anderson. “Those are the moments I try and have with an audience too. You can see it in their eyes, this look of wonder.”
Last year Anderson created the World’s Largest Jazz Trio, consisting of four people, to add another dimension to his career as a musician. After years of performing, he said it never gets tiring.
“Music transcends. That’s what drives me. I believe in the power of music. That is my religion. I’m an evangelist of music. Seeing the magic when it strikes people in an audience. Whatever the form of music it is, when I see the love for music transcend language, religion, everything, that is what keeps me going.”
Anderson will be at the Opus Café on May 10 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 and available in advance at Opus.
Joining him on stage will be Gail Riddall, who is also featured on a number of tracks on his album. Anderson’s album is available for purchase at the release party, at Dragon’s Den and you can find him on ITunes and CDBaby.com.
