ThereB次元官网网址檚 something special about Sooke thatB次元官网网址檚 stuck with Valdy since he first called the community home back in the early 1970s.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e travelled the country a lot and met people in many communities,B次元官网网址� said the two-time Juno Awards winner for folk music artist and songwriter and folk music entertainer. B次元官网网址淎 huge matrix of old families is the glue of the community.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚t takes a while before you realize the social depth of the community. I did all my shopping at the local gas station. Sooke has a wonderful base of families and social solidity, families who lived here and expanded to next generations who live here.B次元官网网址�
The 77-year-old singer and songwriterB次元官网网址檚 creative side got off to a rather rocky, unceremonious start before eventually evolving into a career spanning more than 50 years and 15 albums.
B次元官网网址淲e had a piano at home, and I started taking lessons, doing drills and scales,B次元官网网址� he recalled.
B次元官网网址淚 started creating music when I was seven and told my piano teacher IB次元官网网址檇 written a piece. She asked me to play it and gruffly said it sounded terrible, full of discord. Despite that, I kept going to her because my mom provided the lessons B次元官网网址� not particularly diligent music. I can still write music faster than I can read it.B次元官网网址�
Although Valdy usually records and performs as a solo artist, he has collaborated with fellow Canadian singer-songwriter Gary Fgelgaard on three albums, the most recent, Contenders 3: Off the Floor, released in 2015.
B次元官网网址淚 still like the joy of playing music,B次元官网网址� he explained when asked what keeps him touring. B次元官网网址淚f I played in one place, IB次元官网网址檇 get a diminishing number of people, so I travel.B次元官网网址�
While most of his time on the road is anchored in Canadian cross-country tours, Valdy has taken his music to U. S. audiences and other parts of the globe. That includes four trips to New Zealand, where he forged a strong connection with Graham Wardrop, an acclaimed guitarist and vocalist from Wellington.
B次元官网网址淚 was surprised at how well everyone in New Zealand plays,B次元官网网址� Valdy said. B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e exceptional musicians, and GrahamB次元官网网址檚 a brilliant player. IB次元官网网址檝e had him come to Canada five or six times.B次元官网网址�
ValdyB次元官网网址檚 most recent songwriting venture is a timely tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth, aptly titled I Really Miss my Queen.
B次元官网网址淪he was second to none,B次元官网网址� Valdy noted, adding that he will include the song when he performs in Sooke on Jan. 21.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 always working on new material. When I perform, I always play songs people know me by and new stuff because it needs mileage to knock the corners off.B次元官网网址�
When heB次元官网网址檚 not writing, performing or touring, youB次元官网网址檒l probably find Valdy tending to his six-hectare property on Salt Spring Island, where he has lived for more than 30 years.
B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 run anymore, but I still log and take care of the deadwood on my property.B次元官网网址�
Although he was disappointed the annual Christmas carolling in the parking lot of Salt Spring Mercantile in Fulford Harbour was cancelled due to weather, Valdy was pleased participants were able to come up with a solution.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e been doing it for 30 years, so we did a Merry Makeup Monday on January 5,B次元官网网址� he added with a chuckle.
SIDEBAR-
The Sooke Folk Music Society presents Valdy in concert at 7 p.m. at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 1962 Murray Road, on Jan. 21.
Tickets are $20 and are available at sookefolkmusicsociety.com, or the door.
The society was established in 1992 to bring quality musical entertainment to Sooke and supports the Sooke Food Bank and accessible music education for children in the community. .
Find out more about local folk music events by joining the email list at sookefolkmusic@gmail.com.
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