Langley’s own Chad Brownlee still gets butterflies when he gets on stage, but not as many as he did when he used to step on the ice as a defenceman with the Vancouver Canucks.
“It’s kind of the same butterflies,” he said, though the ones he remembers during his hockey days were a little more intense.
Admittedly, he still gets a little nervous – and probably a little more excited – when he prepares to go on stage and sing before for a big crowd – like the one expected at the inaugural Canuck Country Rocks charity show coming up at the end of the month.
Brownlee, who turned in his hockey skates for his guitar in 2008, has enjoyed an award-winning career as a country music artists.
Now, he’s bringing those two worlds together again as one of the headliners in a fundraiser for Canuck Place and Basics for Babies.
Brownlee, who is currently up for a Juno award, has been a huge proponent for the Basics for Babies effort. He and fellow Langley musician Dallas Smith have been hosting their Boys of Fall golf tournament at The Redwoods Golf Course for the past four years. Last year, that golf fundraiser generated $150,000 for Basics For Babies – a branch of the BC Food Bank.
“It supplies formula and the basic needs for a lot of families who just can’t do it on their own,” Brownlee explained. “And I’m happy to do another event on March 30 to raise more money.”
Looking for a different fundraising concept, the alumni (including Brownlee) thought about pulling together a music night with proceeds from Canuck Country Rocks being divided between Basics for Babies and the Canuck Place children’s hospice.
This upcoming benefit concert happens Thursday, March 30 at the Vogue Theatre and will feature a number of Canuck alumni, including Brownlee. It will also feature former Langleyite and award-winning country artist Aaron Pritchett, and Odds.
“Gonna be an amazing night of music… You just might see Kirk McLean [retired NHL goaltender, and Canuck alum] on stage playing the cowbell,” Brownlee joked.
Tickets are only $25 from www.ticketfly.com. For more info: canuckcountryrocks.com.
“You might wanna grab your tickets soon as they will not last long!” said Brownlee, who flies out the very next day for Ottawa. He’s part of the Juno Fan Fare event April 1 at the Rideau Centre, alongside Pritchett, Jess Moskaluke, Cold Creek County, fellow Langleyite Dallas Smith, and Gord Bamford – among others.
Brownlee, Smith, and Pritchett are each in the running for a Juno Award. The awards ceremony is happening April 2.
