Hawksley Workman brings a workmanlike approach to his profession as a musician.

The Canadian singer-songwriter whose real name is Ryan Corrigan is currently on a tour of B.C. HeB次元官网网址檚 at the SoCal Restaurant and Lounge in Campbell River Thursday, April 6, the Rod and Gun in Parksville Friday, April 7, Osborne Bay Pub in Crofton Saturday, April 8 and Sunday, April 9 at the Clayoquot Sound Theatre in Tofino before completing the tour at Guilt & Co. in Vancouver April 11.

Workman was 13 shows into his 20-show B.C. tour when contacted by the Courier in Penticton Monday. He played in Penticton Monday night at the Dream Cafe after being in Prince George March 31 and Vernon April 1.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 snowing back home,B次元官网网址� said Workman, 48, who currently resides in Peterborough, Ont where his wife was born and raised. B次元官网网址淭his spring weather (here) is wonderful.B次元官网网址�

Workman started using his stage name in his teens while beginning to pursue a musical career. It stuck with him and he became well-known during the era when fans found out about artists through music videos more than from streaming services today.

The Workman part of his name, he said, is a commitment to himself.

B次元官网网址淚 was the artist who believed in inspiration over perspiration,B次元官网网址� he said.

Hawksley is his momB次元官网网址檚 maiden name.

B次元官网网址淚 felt I needed to honour my grandma by changing my name and having her as a central force in what I had become,B次元官网网址� he added.

HeB次元官网网址檚 now been known as Hawksley much longer than Ryan Corrigan after 25 years in the business.

Workman has numerous full-length albums to his credit. HeB次元官网网址檚 a multi-instrumentalist who plays guitar, drums, bass, keyboards and sings on his records, often switching between instruments even when playing live.

In keeping with those workmanlike qualities, Workman is always writing and recording music, often with a quick turnaround time

Much has changed during his time besides the nature in which people both listen to and purchase music. HeB次元官网网址檚 been discovered by new fans within the next generation, if you will, stemming from parents who knew his music.

B次元官网网址淚 feel like IB次元官网网址檓 making some inroads with people,B次元官网网址� Workman said. B次元官网网址淭here is a generational thing happening.B次元官网网址�

The rock video era allowed him to build an audience, he said, and itB次元官网网址檚 picked up new steam 25 years later.

ThatB次元官网网址檚 a product of the music environment thatB次元官网网址檚 contributed to incredible longevity for many artists. Workman doesnB次元官网网址檛 live like he did in his 20s, but has obtained a new lease on life from sobriety.

B次元官网网址淚 still feel young at 48,B次元官网网址� he said.

B次元官网网址淚 feel like IB次元官网网址檓 at the top of my game. That has a lot to do with being sober the last four years now. Not that I wasnB次元官网网址檛 doing a good job. The road was a party. Now, the music is the biggest focus and itB次元官网网址檚 the most important. I just couldnB次元官网网址檛 sustain that rock and roll party that went on for 10-15 years.B次元官网网址�

Reinventing yourself after a long career goes with the territory that brings some rewards and also pitfalls. But Workman agrees you canB次元官网网址檛 continually put out music that sounds the same without attempting to chart a different course.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址榲e put out 18 records to date,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淵ouB次元官网网址檝e got to delight your audience and disappoint your audience. If youB次元官网网址檙e not evolving, youB次元官网网址檙e not challenging yourself or your audience to have that continuing relationship.B次元官网网址�

Getting on the road and into the third week of his B.C. tour has been enjoyable for Workman.

B次元官网网址淭he reception weB次元官网网址檙e getting out here is overwhelming,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭he whole idea behind this tour is we donB次元官网网址檛 get out here enough to get into the small towns and cities. We only come and play Victoria, Vancouver, sometimes weB次元官网网址檒l come out and do other places.B次元官网网址�

Particularly after COVID, many artists like Workman are developing a new relationship and closeness with fans that the smaller venues provide.

B次元官网网址淚 feel like this is the kind of connection I want to make out here,B次元官网网址� he reasoned. B次元官网网址淚n this way, I feel like IB次元官网网址檓 right up close to people. We are playing the pubs, bookstores. To get into a small town in a small room with people, somehow itB次元官网网址檚 very 20th Century. ItB次元官网网址檚 good to relive the olden days when people got in a room together.

B次元官网网址淎s much as we tour Europe and Australia every year, this is my home country where IB次元官网网址檝e done the majority of my touring and work,B次元官网网址� summed up Workman. B次元官网网址淚 feel honoured I get to move through Canada now.B次元官网网址�

You can check out much more on Workman at his website

don.bodger@chemainusvalleycourier.ca
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