Kennedy singer/songwriter, Blake Berglund recently completed a tour, Grassroots & Cowboy Boots, with Jess Moskaluke and Chris Henderson for 2011/2012. Thinking about what his promotional CD tour should be about, he decided to focus on the support he has received from smaller communities.
"A large number of the shows this year are fundraisers." Berglund stated. "For years my tour schedule was the typical city to city run, driving directly through countless communities with populations under a thousand. There would be special events, I would receive an invite to play in these centers and it wasn't long before I realized that not only am I receiving an unbelievable amount of support from these communities, they have gorgeous historic venues to perform in."
Considering how his tours were, he made the decision to play in these smaller venues to help give back to the communities that have supported his ever growing career. "Not only do I want to focus on the rural communities throughout our province and country, I want to give something back." His plan is to, therefore, play a majority of concerts this year as fundraisers for various communities during this tour. "From swimming pools to graduating classes, money raised will stay communal with efforts shared by everyone."
Recently he has finished recording his new album, Coyote, in Ashcroft, B.C. at the home recording studio of John MacArthur Ellis. Coyote is an album that takes the listener on a journey through rodeo life, Saskatchewan politics, love, and the land reclamation of the 1800s. Berglund's passion for performing is evident through his previous music, as well as his new single, Come Back Around, which went to radio June 4.
Berglund and his team have more dates pending in the area, but the only confirmed performance will be Aug. 5 at the Bow Valley Jamboree in Oxbow. On tour with Berglund will be J.R. Louis, a Medicine Hat artist. They are both a close musical friends and business partners, having established Oceanman Records, an independent label, together. Louis is also promoting a new album titled Talk is Cheap, Whiskey Costs Money, which was released in September 2011.
"J.R.'s writing is unlike anything I've ever heard," says Berglund. "He has a way of taking such quirky subjects and incorporating them into his own style of country music. It's such a privilege to not only be associated with J.R., but to finally have the opportunity to tour the country with him. Getting to introduce ourselves to the other's audience is something I've waited a long time for."
On June 14 in Arcola at the MacMurray Theatre, Berglund will be holding a CD release for his new album, Coyote. Coyote, is Berglund's third studio release and this promotional concert is being held as a fundraiser for Optimist Club of Arcola to upgrade the theatre to digital. His album will be released on iTunes June 19, but will be available in Arcola on June 14. He will also have t-shirts and his older albums for sale in Arcola. Tickets for the Arcola concert may be bought in advance at Chapman's Store for $15 or at the door for $20. Doors will open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 7:30 p.m. Limited seating is available, so get your tickets now.
