A hometown opener
After touring almost non- stop, award- winning singer- songwriter Tim Chaisson returns home to P. E. I. to open Sobeys' Live @ The Centre series on Sept. 27
It has been almost a year since Tim Chaisson released his CD, The Other Side.
Ever since, the awardwinning singer- songwriter’s life has been in a whirlwind.
With three solo tours in Australia, performances on the Canadian folk festival and club circuits, an evergrowing fan base and a video with Serena Ryder currently in rotation on CMT, the Bear River native's career has taken off.
“It’s been going really well. We’ve been getting lots of radio play, which is nice,” says Chaisson, noting that people’s reaction to the 11track CD on the Bumstead Records label has been a surprise to him.
“When we put it out, I didn’t really expect anything because it was a roots record, and radio doesn’t tend to gravitate to roots music that much. But it’s really caught on with the country stations.
“Also, Coffee House, a really big North American acoustic rock station on Sirius XM Radio, started playing my songs.
“So it seems that people have kind of taken to it,” says Chaisson who was home briefly this week and is returning to P. E. I. for a concert later this month.
Further evidence of the growing popularity of his music is the growing attendance at his concerts.
“Whether you’re touring Canada or Australia, it’s great to see the bigger numbers when you go out on the road,” says Chaisson, who is looking forward to returning to P. E. I. to open the Sobeys’ Live @ The Centre series on Sept. 27 with an acoustic concert performance at The Mack in Charlottetown.
“It’s one of those things that you work toward as a musician. The Mack is such a beautiful venue and it’s an awesome opportunity to play there.
“It’s very exciting, and I’m looking forward to it,” says Chaisson, who will return home to do the show after an Ontario tour with David Myles.
That night, he will perform songs from The Other Side, accompanied by Koady Chaisson on banjo and bass and Tian Wigmore, guitar.
At 27, Chaisson has received over 30 industry awards or nominations, including the 2013 Canadian Organization of Campus Activities, best mainstage act, 2013 ECMA for roots/ traditional recording and the 2012 Music P. E. I. touring artist of the year.
What’s next in his future?
“I’m heading back to Australia in October. It’s the fifth time in two years,” says Chaisson who has a 16- date road trip with Diesel, a popular Australian singer- songwriter. It’s great to tour with him because he has tons of people at his shows,” says Chaisson.
The two have even teamed up to record a fourtrack EP, The Last Shower, which will be released in Australia, while he’s there.
He likes sharing his music in the land known as Down Under.
“Like Canada, the people are friendly. And the weather is warm,” says Chaisson.