The Bulkley Valley Concert Association is delighted to present legendary blues artist Jim Byrnes as the opening performance of their 2016/17 concert season.
Showtime is 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 5 at the Della Herman Theatre.
Jim is no stranger to Smithers’ stages. In 2010 he headlined at Midsummer Festival both as a solo act and with gospel group The Sojourners. In addition to his music, Jim is an accomplished actor. Smithers documentary film company, Out Yonder Productions, has used Byrnes as the narrator in several films; most recently, Sacred Grizzly.
On his current northern tour, his back-up band constitutes a roster of Vancouver’s top musical talent. Geoff Hicks, drummer, has an earthy, organic style that echoes that of Levon Helm. Geoff has toured and recorded with The Paperboys, Colin James And John Mann. On bass is Rob Becker, one of Vancouver’s most fluid and melodic bassists who is in constant demand as a sideman and session player.
Paul Pigat, guitar wizard, rounds out the trio. Like Jim, Paul has a local following from his appearance at Midsummer Festival with his rock-a-billy persona, Cousin Harley, and numerous other performances including a concert with Carlos del Junco, Hohner World Harmonica Champion, at the Old Church a few years back.
Jim Byrnes is a living musical treasure who plays 150 dates a year in North America and Europe and the BVCA is excited that Smithers is along his route on Oct. 5.
The BV Concert Association’s 2016/17 season will continue with:
Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016 The Wardens with opening act Ewk Hiyah Hozdli
Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017 Joelle Rabu in Concert
Friday, Feb. 17, 2017 Sarah Hagen with Brendan McLeod
Saturday, March 4, 2017 Danny Nielsen: Love.Be.Best.Free
Season’s tickets are on sale now at Mountain Eagle Books $85 per person for all 5 shows, available until Oct. 5.
Individual concert tickets:
Adult $25 Senior $20 (60 +) Youth $16 (18 and under)
– Released by BVCA
BIO:
Jim Byrnes was born in St. Louis, Missouri – that’s blues country. By age thirteen, Jim was
singing and playing blues guitar. His first professional gig was in 1964. Over the years, he has
had the great good fortune to appear with a virtual who’s who of the blues. From Muddy
Waters and John Lee Hooker to Taj Mahal and Robert Cray, Jim has been on the blues
highway for 45 years.
Byrnes moved to Vancouver, BC in the mid-70s after years of drifting, working odd jobs
and playing music. In 1981 he put together a band that became a staple of the local
music scene. In 1986 the Jim Byrnes Band played 300 nights.
Jim’s evocative, smoky vocals are found in a truth that doesn’t come overnight. In 1981 he
released Burnin’, followed in 1987 with I’veTurned My Nights into Days and 1995’s Juno-
Award winning That River.
Jim’s has produced five outstanding albums in six years since he hooked up with Steve
Dawson, one of North America’s most critically acclaimed roots music producers.
2004’s Fresh Horses and 2006’s gospel tinged Juno Award winning House Of Refuge set
standards that aren’t often equalled.
My Walking Stick was the 2009 release … a blood and guts, behind your knees, love,
life, death, and after life release from the multi award winning Mr. Byrnes. A little more than a
year later, the same team got together and produced Everywhere West which sprinkled three
exciting new originals in amongst tracks by seminal blues artists.
In 2012, Jim and Steve recorded I Hear The Wind in the Wires, an album of songs from
the golden age of country music. This is surely the most natural, satisfying and downright
joyous album of Byrnes’ lengthy career. Jim and Steve were back again in 2014 to celebrate
a decade of great musical collaborations and the 250th anniversary of St. Louis Missouri. St.
Louis Times is Byrnes’ most personal record to date.
