Musical night

Fans come together as Blue Rodeo plays Credit Union Place

Blue Rodeo made its latest Island stop in Summerside Feb. 8 at Credit Union Place. A stalwart on the Canadian music scene, the band has been playing, touring and recording together for decades.

SUMMERSIDE – Tiffany Ward enjoyed her favourite songs without a special person by her side Friday night.

“I lost my dad in 2015. Our last father-daughter date was a Blue Rodeo concert.”

She pulled up his photo on her phone, explaining he had died suddenly from complications of diabetes.

Her two “absolute favourite” Blue Rodeo songs are “Lost Together” and “Bad Timing.”

Ward said the show was “emotional but fun.”

Blue Rodeo made its latest Island stop in Summerside Feb. 8 at Credit Union Place.

A stalwart on the Canadian music scene, the band has been playing, touring and recording together for decades.

“They’ve been going at it for 30 years,” said Sally McKinley.

She’s been to every one of Blue Rodeo’s P.E.I. appearances along with her friends.

The women, all from western P.E.I., call themselves groupies.

Claudette McNeill is the ringleader.

“We’ve never missed a P.E.I. show,” she said.

She was the groupie who heard the band first and introduced the rest of the friend group to the music.

“I got hooked,” said Angèle Arsenault.

“We have all their CDs,” said McNeill.

The first time they heard Jim Cuddy sing in Summerside was at the old Regent hotel.

“You never get tired of it. They’re endless,” said McKinley. “And great entertainers.”

The three women were waiting for the rest of their fan group to arrive - Celina Arsenault, Yvonne Gallant and Paula Arsenault were running later than the keeners. They’d have Louise Gallant with them, a “groupie for one night,” they decided.

“They probably have lots of fans,” said McNeill, knowing her groupies weren’t the only ones. “Not as good (as us). But pretty good.”

“Even at work,” said Arsenault, “Blue Rodeo comes on and, aaah!”

All three women make a gesture like a flower blooming, or small fireworks, with their hands, and sighing with contentment at the thought of hearing their favourite sounds during a hectic day.

ALISON JENKINS/ JOURNAL PIONEER Blue Rodeo at Credit Union Place Feb. 8. Glenn Milchem, left, Bazil Donovan, Bob Egan, Jim Cuddy, Mike Bugoski and Greg Keelor.

ALISON JENKINS/ JOURNAL PIONEER These Blue Rodeo “groupies” have never missed one of the band’s P.E.I. shows. The friends are Celina Arsenault, back left, Yvonne Gallant, Paula Arsenault and Louise Gallant. Angèle Arsenault, left, Claudette McNeill and Sally McKinley.

ALISON JENKINS/ JOURNAL PIONEER Jim Cuddy and Mike Bugoski play “What am I Doing Here.”