He’s never really left, but for gospel musician, Rob Berg, his upcoming Chilliwack concert feels a bit like coming home.
On Friday, Oct. 19, at the Sardis Community Church at 7 p.m., Berg says he will be hosting his first concert in Chilliwack in 25 years to not only promote his 21st album release, but celebrate the span of his career.
“It’s my first real, homegrown concert in Chilliwack in 25 years, almost to the day, (and it’s) in the same venue, ” said the musician. And while “I’m not ending my journey here, it feels like a coming home concert because it feels like it’s been so long.”
Berg says that although he’s been steadily writing songs and releasing albums for more than 20 years, he stopped hosting concerts or release parties after the first few albums.
“This is my 21st release, and it’s not a special number, but I got a nudge that I should do something (more),” Berg explained during a telephone interview.
And while he’s performed publicly during the past two decades, this will be the first time where it’s “just my own idea. There aren’t too many concerts I do where I plan everything, so this is an exception,” said Berg.
Although Berg says the concert will be highlighting his latest album, High Tide, the concert will feature music from his entire career.
“I’ll include five songs from the new album that’ll be interspersed, but there will be a broad range of music,” continued the award-winning music artist. That said, Berg admits High Tide, title track to the album with the same name, may be his most favourite song yet.
READ MORE: Rob Berg wins Folk Song of the Year award
“I’ve written a lot of songs, but this one’s become one of my favourite songs, and I think it’s going to be one of my more powerful songs, one of the ones that means the most to me.”
And seeing as it’s been so long since he’s performed in Chilliwack, Berg says many of his “songs will seem new to the people who are there. It will be a real concert, I want people to be moved and really absorbed in the atmosphere of the evening. Come experience an intimate evening of love and great music.”
Admission to the concert is based on at-the-door donations—$10 suggested donation—that Berg says will be used to help promote his latest album and keep him going in “his travels.”
For more information about Rob Berg, please visit his website at SeaLionRob.com.
