Back to her roots
Terri Clark kicking off 40-date acoustic tour in Summerside on Sept. 14
Terri Clark picked up a guitar at the age of nine, her mother, Linda, teaching her the first three chords. At their home in Medicine Hat, Alta., Linda sang her children to sleep instead of reading bedtime stories.
“By the time I was 13, it wasn’t just a hobby; it became a passion and I wanted to chase the dream,” said Terri. Linda and her best friend drove Terri, at the age of 18, to Nashville, the place of her musical inspiration in the early 1980s and where her lasting, successful country music career began. Now, Terri, having sold more than four million albums worldwide and a three-time Juno award winner, will be beginning her “Back to My Roots” solo acoustic tour in Summerside on Sept. 14 and 15. The country superstar has done this type of show all over the world, but this is her first and only time bringing it to her home country.
“It has been successful for me; it’s a different experience than a band show,” she said. “It’s more intimate, and there’s more talking and stories about the songs.”
Terri is also looking forward to the question and answer segment that will come with each performance.
“They feel they’re part of the show and not just in the audience. It’s a VIP experience for everyone in the seats.”
The solo acoustic tour allows her to play smaller venues, she added. After performing at the CCMAs in Ontario, Terri will be boarding a bus, Summerside-bound, for the first two shows, with 38 more stops across Canada to follow.
“I have a high-energy electric show I’ve taken to Canada many times in the last 21 years,” she said. “I felt it was my responsibility to take something different to the table.”
Terri performed a string of dates in the U.S. this summer, and hosts a radio show in Nashville titled “Country Gold”, airing on more than 100 stations. “A tremendous gift” is how she described the opportunity to do what she loves. “It’s a connection with humanity I wouldn’t have otherwise. It’s being able to make a difference in other people’s lives.”
Terri’s honoured to start the tour on the Island, and her aunt and uncle who retired here will be at a Summerside performance. “I lost my mom to cancer six years ago. It’s her oldest sister, so it’s like my mom will get to be there for the kickoff. “She believed in me, and she was an integral part of my being able to chase the dream.”
Visit www.terriclark.com to buy tickets.