Port Colborne country singer all about ‘cheering people up’
Chad Charles Campbell working on music with Glass Tiger band member
Chad Charles Campbell grew up surrounded by music, but he was more interested in sports during his younger years.
He picked up a guitar and started writing songs well into his adult life, resulting in recent momentum through appearances on TV and airplay on local radio stations.
“I think everyone was kind of shocked when I started doing it in my 30s,” said the now 47-year-old Port Colborne native and father of three teenagers who lives in Dunnville.
The country-rock singer’s recent single “Cloud 10” is produced by Michael Hanson from Glass Tiger, a chart-topping Canadian pop band from the 1980s.
In December, Campbell was featured on CHCH evening news for his initiatives to lift spirits during the pandemic.
Every Friday for the past two years, he’s posted his songs on social media, hoping to spread messages of positivity.
His main objective is “cheering people up,” often going into a character as Pedro, his alter ego that comes alive when he puts on a wrestling mask he purchased in Mexico.
“Since I got it, I throw it on to lighten the mood and make people laugh, I guess,” he said.
Pedro is often responsible for many “photo bombs,” and surprising people unexpectedly.
A podcast, his music and Pedro are part of his new business venture, Right Arm Productions.
Campbell’s grandfather Junior Tweedy was a “kind of famous” country artist from Port Colborne. His mother’s side of the family is from where the music comes.
“Our family gatherings are like concerts,” he said.
His connection to Hanson developed when he sent him a Christmas song he wrote for his niece. He said Hanson enjoyed what he heard and compared him to Bob Seger.
Now, they are working on a handful of singles, the next one set to drop called “That’s What She Said.”
Hearing praise from an accomplished musician has helped his confidence.
“I got to see where I stand on a writing perspective,” said Campbell, who has worked more than 20 years as a traffic signal technician with the City of Burlington.
Campbell said he spent his younger years playing junior hockey in Dunnville, and that music was something he “sat back” on until later in life.
His music is available on all streaming platforms.