Many will know the storyteller, singer, songwriter for his hit Play Me a Rock and Roll Song
One of Canada’s musical treasures, Valdy, a master of country, folk, rock, and blues, takes the Algonquin Theatre stage on Saturday, April 26.
An artist well known to Huntsville audiences, Valdy has appeared on two previous occasions for the Huntsville Festival of the Arts, and he never disappoints.
Valdy has been entertaining national and international audiences for more than 30 years and has taken his distinctive voice and style throughout Europe and the Americas. He has produced 14 albums and released 22 singles, which have resulted in four gold records and sales of well over half a million.
Recognized for his efforts with seven Juno nominations and two Juno awards, Valdy has won numerous Songwriter of the Year Awards from various associations.
Valdy is most fondly remembered for Play Me a Rock and Roll Song, a bitter-sweet memory of finding himself, a relaxed and amiable story-teller, facing a rambunctious audience at the Aldergrove Rock Festival in 1968.
During his Huntsville performance Valdy is sure to perform this classic along with other favourites Yes I Can, Peter and Lou, and Simple Man.
Born Valdemar Horsdal in Ottawa, Valdy has been part of the fabric of Canadian pop and folk music for about 34 years. A man with thousands of friends, from Newfoundland to Vancouver Island, to Texas to New Zealand, he’s a singer, guitarist and songwriter who catches the small but telling moments that make up life.
Valdy’s recent CDs include Contenders, a collaboration with friend, fellow singer/songwriter and touring partner Gary Fjellgaard, and a solo release Viva Valdy: Live at Last, a two-CD package, one live, one studio, with a total of 25 tunes, and a lyric booklet.
Today, Valdy is based on Salt Spring Island, where he lives with his wife Kathleen, two dogs and two large cats. All three of his children are now grown, flown and doing famously living in or near Vancouver.
Valdy’s one-night-only special performance will begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for students 18 and under and are available at the Algonquin Theatre box office, 789-4975, or through the festival website at www.huntsvillefestival.on.ca.
While you’re there have a look at the festival’s great summer lineup. Tickets have been on sale since April 1 and with artists such as Jim Cuddy, Jesse Cook, Michelle Wright, the Downchild Blues Band and a special evening with humanitarian Stephen Lewis, sales have been brisk and tickets will go fast.
Following Valdy’s show the Huntsville Festival of the Artsbrings back the popular Buddy Wasisname and the Other Fellas on May 3, and a great matinee of classical music by a group of exceptional young musicians from Toronto’s Royal Conservatory of Music on May 4.
