Country musician doesn’t take himself too seriously
LINDAY — Dan Davidson doesn’t take himself too seriously – which may explain why he credits the “good times vibe” associated with country music as what he enjoys most about the genre.
The Edmonton-born singer/ songwriter, whose professional career began in 2003 when he formed the rock band Tupelo Honey with five fellow musicians from the city’s Grant MacEwan College, began making country music just three years ago.
He rose to fame in March 2016 with the release of his second single Found, which became his first song to chart on the Billboard Canada Country chart. It peaked at 16, the highest position for a single released by a Canadian independent country artist.
Davidson talked about the musical change of direction during a Tuesday meet and greet with a small group of fans gathered in the Hart Room of Lindsay’s Days Inn and Suites.
He said it was all about wanting to do something of his own – and his subsequent expressions as a solo artist simply fit the genre.
“I just wanted to make music that sounds right,” he said before performing a pair of acoustic songs in advance of opening for fellow Albertan Brett Kisell, whose We Were That Song tour came to a sold-out Academy Theatre on Tuesday night.
The same tour will arrive at Peterborough’s Showplace Performance Centre on Monday.
It’s not the first time the Albertans have connected. Kissel, the 2017 Canadian Country Music Association male artist of the year, stood out to Davidson at a prairie show as the only performer using a public address system.
A couple of years later, he found out that “kid” was none other than Kissel, who then later approached him to ask him to join him on tour. “It was really great to have a guy like that so supportive of the project from day one.”
The tour is about 20 shows into 36. The reception so far has been great, Davidson said, adding how fans have been singing “loudly and proudly.”
“It’s really a testament to the strength of country music in Canada right now,” he said.
There are other differences Davidson has noticed between rock and country crowds. Rock fans are a smaller demographic that seem to be quick to move from supporting one act to another, while country fans seem to be less so.
“They are loyal and they really care about the artists they love,” he said, calling those involved in the country industry less guarded – he knows he can call any of the numerous people he has met at any time in order to ask for advice. “That’s really nice.”
Davidson appreciated the opportunity to take part in the meet and greet and pointed out how important it is to connect with fans. “It’s a lot of fun ... it’s nice to talk to people to want to say hi before the show.”
Lindsay and District Chamber of Commerce administrative officer Miranda Popovich, who attended as a fan, was surprised by Davidson’s candour.
“He’s so down to earth and chill,” she said, before discussing some of the differences between Ontario and Alberta with the musician.
Davidson’s crew is shooting a performance video for the upcoming single Let’s Go There, so he encouraged fans to make themselves as visible as possible.
Found landed Davidson four 2016 Alberta Country Music Awards, including single of the year, song of the year (with Clayton Bellamy) and video of the year. He also won the rising star award and was nominated for male artist of the year.
Last year, he received nominations in the Canadian Radio Music Awards (Best New Group or Solo Artist: Country), Western Canadian Music Awards (Country Artist of the Year and Breakout Artist of the Year) and Canadian Country Music Association (Rising Star Award and Songwriter of the Year, with Clayton Bellamy).
NOTE: For more information on Dan Davidson, visit www. dandavidsonmusic.com .... Visit www.showplace.org or call 705742-7469 for more information on tickets ($59 to $49) to Monday’s show at Showplace Performance Centre, which begins at 8 p.m.