That festival feeling with Blackie and the Rodeo Kings

Music lovers don't have to wait for warmer weather to get that festival feeling, thanks to Northern Lights Festival Boréal.

The summer festival is once again presenting concerts year round, the first being Blackie and the Rodeo Kings. On Nov. 14, the trio of folk, rock and country performers will take the stage at the United Steelworkers Hall, beginning at 7 p.m.

“Blackie and the Rodeo Kings originally formed in 1996, in order to produce a one-off tribute to the great Canadian songwriter Willie P. Bennett,” said a media release from NLFB.

“It seems that when Colin Linden, Tom Wilson and Stephen Fearing came together, something magical happened, as they are now into their second decade, with one Juno award and several nominations. Individually they have worked with some of the finest names in rock, folk, country and more, and collectively they create a blend of roots, rock, folk, alternative, country like no other.

"They can deliver high-powered roots-rock, as well as melodic ballads such as Black Sheep, a beautiful collaboration with Serena Ryder from their newest album Kings & Queens.”

The album is a collaborative one, produced by Linden, featuring collaborations with some of the finest female voices in roots music like Emmylou Harris, Roseanne Cash, Lucinda Williams, Cassandra Wilson, Pam Tillis, Amy Helm, Holly Cole and more.

"The album is reminiscent of The Band’s collaborations with people like Joni Mitchell, but also entirely unique,” said Max Merrifield, NLFB organizer.

“Concert-goers can expect a fantastic blend of these beautifully haunting melodies, with a high-energy guitar extravaganza, guaranteed to impress some of the most skilled players.”

Tickets to see Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, who are playing with Harlan Pepper, are now available from www.nlfbsudbury.com, Gloria's Convenience, Records on Wheels, Jett Landry Music and the NLFB Office on Grey Street.