Canadian icon
Ian Tyson was a Canadian icon, and a household name back in the 1980s. My earliest memory goes back to before I started school, when I watched “The Ian Tyson Show” on Channel 13 on the peasant vision dial with my Mom and Dad. I must have been four years old, because the show ran from 1970 to 1975.
Ian Tyson was a Canadian icon, and a household name back in the 1980s. My earliest memory goes back to before I started school, when I watched “The Ian Tyson Show” on Channel 13 on the peasant vision dial with my Mom and Dad. I must have been four years old, because the show ran from 1970 to 1975.
Most of my knowledge of Ian Tyson came from my Mom, who told me he had been quite popular in the ‘60s with his wife Sylvia Tyson. I recall her appearing on “The Ian Tyson Show” as well. Later, I am pretty sure I heard both Ian Tyson and Sylvia Tyson perform variously, and separately, on “The Tommy Hunter Show”. That was standard Friday night viewing in the three channel universe back in he ‘80s.
To be honest, Ian Tyson was more of an idea than anything to me. Back in the ‘80s when I first got into music, then right through the decade as I learned more and more, I could not tell you the name of one Ian Tyson song. I am sure that was because he had become completely a country and western singer, and I really didn’t listen to much of that.
All I knew was that he was a great Canadian singer and songwriter. Once I heard some of his songs, that impression was confirmed beyond a shadow of a doubt.
Corb Lund
Meanwhile, Corb Lund was growing up not too far from me. I grew up on a farm north of Coaldale. Taber was a friendly neighbour, the next big town to the east of us, about a half hour or so away. Corb Lund grew up at Taber. Interestingly, Wikipedia reveals he was born on Jan. 29, 1969, which would put him in the same grade as me.
Meanwhile, Corb Lund was growing up not too far from me. I grew up on a farm north of Coaldale. Taber was a friendly neighbour, the next big town to the east of us, about a half hour or so away. Corb Lund grew up at Taber. Interestingly, Wikipedia reveals he was born on Jan. 29, 1969, which would put him in the same grade as me.
After high school, we followed a similar trajectory as well. After graduating high school in 1987, I went to school at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. I know Corb was also in the Class of ’87, because we have a mutual friend. He told me that, at a concert, Corb recognized him and yelled “That’s my quarterback”. Yet, it was not until 1989 that Corb moved to Edmonton and went to Grant MacEwan College.
Once in Edmonton, Corb was one of the founding members of a punk, new wave band called “The Smalls". I had never heard of them in the ‘80s but, by 1992, I recall one of the guys on my floor wearing a “Smalls” concert shirt. I always thought the shirt looked cool, although I had never knowingly heard any of their songs.
I also heard a story, likely a myth, that one of the members of The Smalls had been kicked out of W.R. Myers in Taber, and finished high school in Coaldale. The only member of The Smalls from Taber is Corb Lund. However, I don’t recall anyone coming to our school part way through Grade 12, much less someone from Taber.
Anyway, Corb went on to form a country trio, then focused exclusively on that when The Smalls broke up in 2001.
At the show we went to, Corb said he now has put out so many albums he has to pick and choose what he plays, as opposed to being able to play virtually everything. He has put out 12 albums and an EP, or Extended Play record. He has been nominated for the Juno for Roots and Traditional Album of the Year, Solo in 2003, 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2013, winning in 2006. He has also been nominated for and won a number of Canadian Country Music Awards and other awards.
Tribute
Corb Lund and Ian Tyson have an interesting parallel. At their hearts, they are both country and western singer-songwriters, who went in different directions then returned to their roots.
Corb Lund and Ian Tyson have an interesting parallel. At their hearts, they are both country and western singer-songwriters, who went in different directions then returned to their roots.
One of the things I gather about Ian Tyson is that, when he moved back to Southern Alberta, he was incredibly accessible. That included more than just performing, but meeting and mentoring other musicians.
I get the sense that Ian Tyson mentored Corb Lund. His tribute to Tyson was much more personal and heartfelt than a professional relationship.
In fact, I have to go back to that concert Corb Lund did with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. Ian Tyson had recently died, so part of Corb’s tribute was to place his black cowboy hat on the microphone. It was incredibly touching and sad – but awesome.
At last night’s concert, Corb paid tribute to Ian Tyson by singing Tyson’s classic “Some Day Soon”. It was just awesome.
Parting thoughts
Since Corb Lund and I are about the same age, he too would have grown up surrounded by Ian Tyson as a Canadian icon. Given his background, he most certainly would have had more exposure to Tyson’s work than I did.
Since Corb Lund and I are about the same age, he too would have grown up surrounded by Ian Tyson as a Canadian icon. Given his background, he most certainly would have had more exposure to Tyson’s work than I did.
On the other hand, it took years for me to hear and recognize any songs by Ian Tyson. Part of that, coincidentally, was when I too returned to Southern Alberta and worked first in Fort Macleod then Claresholm, I was around much more country and western music.
That is when I finally came to know songs such as “Four Strong Winds” and “Some Day Soon”, although they were both released in 1963 and 1964 respectively. I also came to appreciate how talented a musician and story teller Ian Tyson is.
He had a profound effect on Canadian culture.
You can tell by the passion in Corb Lund’s tribute to him.
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