Canadian folksinger Paul Valdemar Horsdal performs for about 100 Hatters on Sunday evening at the Liquid Listener Lounge. The 79-year-old was well-known on the radio circuit in the 1970s.--PHOTO COURTESY BRUCE PENTON
It wasn’t highly publicized, and it didn’t rate a venue the size of the Esplanade, but a Canadian folksinger named Paul Valdemar Horsdal put on an outstanding show to finish off a tour of Alberta on Sunday night at the Liquid Listener Lounge.
Better known as Valdy, the veteran entertainer put on a two-hour show that drew a crowd of a little more than 100 people. The generally elderly audience – there was more white hair in attendance than you’d normally find at a convention of Santa Clauses – knew Valdy from a few hits in the 1970s, particularly Rock and Roll Song.
Born in Ottawa but now living on Vancouver Island, he has been a staple in the Canadian music industry for more than 50 years and was appointed a member of the Order of Canada in 2011. Along the way, he has picked up two Juno awards and several other Juno nominations. A couple of his songs have made the soundtrack of Hollywood movies.
Rock and Roll Song, his biggest hit that got tons of airplay on Canadian rock stations 50 years ago, was written after Valdy was signed to perform at a rock festival in British Columbia. Fans booed him off the stage when the crowd didn’t like his ‘non-rock’ songs, but he took it in stride and created a hit song out of the experience.
Now 79 years old, Valdy still has what it takes to be a performer: Great guitar-playing skills, a still-smooth voice and stamina to go a full two hours and mix a variety of his own songs with a casual chit-chat with the crowd, offering background information about the genesis of his songs.
The concert’s entertainment value was high. It’s just too bad only a tiny segment of Medicine Hat’s population was on hand to see it.
• We used to be such good friends. Now most Canadians are threatening to never again go south for a visit.
Here’s what it’s come to, how it has devolved into an acrimonious relationship that may take years or decades (or perhaps just four years) to overcome: When Canadians cross the border (in ever-decreasing numbers, mind you), U.S. border agents have the authority to (according to a story on CNN) “search travellers’ electronic devices – including phones, laptops, and tablets – without providing a reason.”
I suppose it’s no big deal if you have nothing to hide, but merely the civil liberties being tramped on offers one more reason to stay home. If a Canadian were to refuse to give his or her computer password to a border agent, the device could be confiscated and a long delay would be inevitable.
What next? Strip searches?
• A political podcast hosted by the CBC will be staged in Medicine Hat from 7-9 p.m. April 16 and the public is encouraged to attend the event at the Esplanade. Admission is free.
Partnering with the Medicine Hat Public Library, the West of Centre podcast, a panel of four – pollster Janet Brown, City of Medicine Hat energy executive Rochelle Pancoast, former UCP MLA Michaela Frey, and the former mayor of Brooks and ex-leader of the Alberta Party, Barry Morishita – will discuss a variety of southern Alberta issues that shape the political and economical landscape.
The live audience will take part in a Q&A session and the entire event will be recorded for an episode of West of Centre. Says the CBC press release: “This is your opportunity to ask questions, share your insights and engage in a meaningful discussion about the issues that matter most to your community.”
Podcast host is Kathleen Petty.
If you’d like to attend, you may pre-register at Tixx/Medicine Hat.
• Short snappers: Some of the announcers introducing participants at sports events these days all try to copy the style of the famous Michael Buffer, who famously drags out the surnames of the players just before he proclaims his iconic line, ‘Let’s Get Ready to Rumble.’ Some, like the guy who did it for the recent world men’s curling championships, should develop an original approach, rather than butchering Buffer. … People in the West often criticize the CBC and suggest it be defunded, but the national broadcaster did a nice business-related piece on Medicine Hat earlier this week. As Canada and the U.S. fight over trade, the six-minute report said, “Medicine Hat has a blueprint that other regions might want to look at.” The reporter, Erin Collins, “explains how a history of economic adversity paved the way for a resilient and persistent city.” … FYI: Gasoline was selling for around $1.25.9 in Medicine Hat, while it was in the mid-$1.30s in Moose Jaw and only $1.17 in Brandon.
Bruce Penton is a retired News editor who may be reached at brucepenton2003@yahoo.ca
