Blue Rodeo
Encyclopedia
Blue Rodeo is a Canadian
pop
and country rock
band, which was formed in 1984 in Toronto
, Ontario
. They have been signed with Warner Music Group
since their debut album Outskirts
in March 1987. Including Outskirts, they have 12 full-length releases along with multiple solo albums, side projects, and collaborations.
(guitar/vocals), Greg Keelor
(guitar/vocals) and Bazil Donovan (bass), plus newer additions of Glenn Milchem (drums) and multi-instrumentalist Bob Egan (formerly of Wilco
). Currently, musician Michael Boguski plays and tours with the band as keyboardist and he filled this role on the band's latest album, The Things We Left Behind
. Drummers Cleave Anderson and Mark French, keyboardists Bob Wiseman
, James Gray and Bob Packwood, and multi-instrumentalist Kim Deschamps are former band members.
Cuddy and Keelor met in high school and became great friends. After university, when all their other friends were starting to get jobs, they decided to form a band and started to play music more often. They put together a few different bands without much luck. They released a single as Hi-Fi's in 1980. Cuddy and Keelor moved to New York City
for some adventure and to help their music. There they met Bob Wiseman. When they came back to Toronto
in the summer of 1984 they thought about putting another band together. They had already thought of the name for the band before they met Cleave and asked him to join the band. Cleave brought along his friend, Donovan, and with this the band Blue Rodeo was born. In 1985 Blue Rodeo played their first show together at The Rivoli
in Toronto.
Blue Rodeo is one of the most successful and well known contemporary Canadian
bands, having released 12 full-length studio albums, three live recordings, one greatest hits package and five video/DVDs. Their studio albums have sold over three million copies. Cuddy, Keelor, Donovan and Egan have all released solo albums, and Glenn Milchem performs his own solo music under the pseudonym "the swallows". Keelor has also gone on to produce for other artists, notably alt-country group Cuff the Duke
, who have also toured as support for Blue Rodeo.
Blue Rodeo members have collaborated extensively with other notable Canadian artists, including Sarah McLachlan
, The Tragically Hip
, Burton Cummings
, Great Big Sea
, Jann Arden
, The Sadies
, Skydiggers
, Crash Vegas
, Cowboy Junkies
, Sarah Harmer
, Jill Barber
, and Kathleen Edwards
. They have won many Canadian music awards, including seven Juno Award
s and seven SOCAN
awards.
On June 16, 2009, it was announced that the band would receive a star on Canada's Walk of Fame
in Toronto. The induction ceremony was held on September 12, 2009. They are the fifth band to receive the honour.
2008, Blue Rodeo played on Parliament Hill
. The band closed the show before the commencement of the fireworks and was joined on stage by several other artists to perform "Lost Together". On November 28, 2009 the band performed at half-time of the 97th Grey Cup
. The band also performed live concerts for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.
Cuddy and Keelor performed at the annual Folk on the Rocks music festival in Yellowknife, NT
from July 16 to July 18, 2010.
On October 19, 2010, Blue Rodeo played the music viral show BalconyTV
for a rare acoustic performance on a small Balcony overlooking Dame Street, Dublin.
On July 1, 2011, Blue Rodeo performed at Trafalgar Square
as part of the Canada Day in London celebrations.
On July 6, 2011, Blue Rodeo performed at the Winnipeg Folk Festival
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
and country rock
Country rock
Country rock is sub-genre of popular music, formed from the fusion of rock with country. The term is generally used to refer to the wave of rock musicians who began to record country-flavored records in the late 1960s and early 1970s, beginning with Bob Dylan and The Byrds; reaching its greatest...
band, which was formed in 1984 in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. They have been signed with Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group is the third largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry, making it one of the big four record companies...
since their debut album Outskirts
Outskirts (album)
Outskirts is the 1987 debut album by Blue Rodeo. The single "Try" was a hit for the band in their native Canada.-Track listing: #"Heart Like Mine" – 4:38#"Rose-Coloured Glasses" – 4:25#"Rebel" – 3:47#"Joker's Wild" – 4:02#"Piranha Pool" – 6:27...
in March 1987. Including Outskirts, they have 12 full-length releases along with multiple solo albums, side projects, and collaborations.
Band
The band consists of original members Jim CuddyJim Cuddy
Jim Cuddy is a Canadian singer-songwriter primarily associated with the band Blue Rodeo. He has also recorded three solo albums with the Jim Cuddy Band, which features musicians Bazil Donovan, Colin Cripps, Joel Anderson, Anne Lindsay and Gavin Brown...
(guitar/vocals), Greg Keelor
Greg Keelor
Greg Keelor is a Canadian singer-songwriter and musician. He is best known as a member of the band Blue Rodeo, where he shares song writing and vocal duties with Jim Cuddy. Keelor has also released three solo albums and appeared as a guest musician on albums by Crash Vegas and Melissa McClelland...
(guitar/vocals) and Bazil Donovan (bass), plus newer additions of Glenn Milchem (drums) and multi-instrumentalist Bob Egan (formerly of Wilco
Wilco
Wilco is an American alternative rock band based in Chicago, Illinois. The band was formed in 1994 by the remaining members of alternative country group Uncle Tupelo following singer Jay Farrar's departure. Wilco's lineup has changed frequently, with only singer Jeff Tweedy and bassist John...
). Currently, musician Michael Boguski plays and tours with the band as keyboardist and he filled this role on the band's latest album, The Things We Left Behind
The Things We Left Behind
The Things We Left Behind is the 12th studio album released by Canadian country rock band Blue Rodeo, released on November 10, 2009. It is their first studio double album.The album was a longlisted nominee for the 2010 Polaris Music Prize.-Formats:...
. Drummers Cleave Anderson and Mark French, keyboardists Bob Wiseman
Bob Wiseman
Bob Wiseman is a Juno winning Canadian musician, filmmaker, singer-songwriter, and actor. Wiseman was an original member of Blue Rodeo.-Career:Wiseman was raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He studied piano at York University...
, James Gray and Bob Packwood, and multi-instrumentalist Kim Deschamps are former band members.
Cuddy and Keelor met in high school and became great friends. After university, when all their other friends were starting to get jobs, they decided to form a band and started to play music more often. They put together a few different bands without much luck. They released a single as Hi-Fi's in 1980. Cuddy and Keelor moved to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
for some adventure and to help their music. There they met Bob Wiseman. When they came back to Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
in the summer of 1984 they thought about putting another band together. They had already thought of the name for the band before they met Cleave and asked him to join the band. Cleave brought along his friend, Donovan, and with this the band Blue Rodeo was born. In 1985 Blue Rodeo played their first show together at The Rivoli
The Rivoli
The Rivoli is a bar, restaurant and performance space, established in 1982, on Queen Street West in Toronto, Ontario. The club originally earned a reputation as one of Canada's hippest music clubs, and many major Canadian comedy and musical performers have played on its stage, including The Kids in...
in Toronto.
Blue Rodeo is one of the most successful and well known contemporary Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
bands, having released 12 full-length studio albums, three live recordings, one greatest hits package and five video/DVDs. Their studio albums have sold over three million copies. Cuddy, Keelor, Donovan and Egan have all released solo albums, and Glenn Milchem performs his own solo music under the pseudonym "the swallows". Keelor has also gone on to produce for other artists, notably alt-country group Cuff the Duke
Cuff the Duke
Cuff the Duke is a Canadian band from Oshawa, Ontario. They play a blend of traditional country and folk music with indie rock influences, and can be categorized as an alt-country group.-History:...
, who have also toured as support for Blue Rodeo.
Blue Rodeo members have collaborated extensively with other notable Canadian artists, including Sarah McLachlan
Sarah McLachlan
Sarah Ann McLachlan, OC, OBC is a Canadian musician, singer and songwriter. Known for her emotional ballads and mezzo-soprano vocal range, as of 2006, she has sold over 40 million albums worldwide. McLachlan's best-selling album to date is Surfacing, for which she won two Grammy Awards and four...
, The Tragically Hip
The Tragically Hip
The Tragically Hip, often referred to simply as The Hip, is a Canadian rock band from Kingston, Ontario, consisting of Gordon Downie , Paul Langlois , Rob Baker , Gord Sinclair and Johnny Fay . Since their formation in 1983 they have released 12 studio albums, two live albums, and 46 singles...
, Burton Cummings
Burton Cummings
Burton L. Cummings, OC, OM is a Canadian musician and songwriter.He was the lead singer and frequent keyboardist for the Canadian rock band The Guess Who...
, Great Big Sea
Great Big Sea
Great Big Sea is a Canadian folk-rock band from Newfoundland and Labrador, best known for performing energetic rock interpretations of traditional Newfoundland folk songs including sea shanties, which draw from the island's 500-year-old Irish, English, and French heritage...
, Jann Arden
Jann Arden
Jann Arden is a Canadian singer-songwriter.-Life and career:Arden was born and raised near Calgary in Springbank, Alberta and attended Springbank Community High School. Her breakthrough came with her critically acclaimed 1993 debut album Time for Mercy and her first single "I Would Die For You"...
, The Sadies
The Sadies
The Sadies are a Canadian indie rock and alternative country band from Toronto, Ontario.-Background:The band consists of Dallas Good , Travis Good, Sean Dean and Mike Belitsky...
, Skydiggers
Skydiggers
Skydiggers are a Canadian roots rock band from Toronto, Ontario.-Biography:Formed in 1987 by singer Andy Maize and lead guitarist Josh Finlayson, the band soon added rhythm guitarist Peter Cash, drummer Wayne Stokes and bassist Ron Macey to their lineup...
, Crash Vegas
Crash Vegas
Crash Vegas was a Canadian folk rock band which formed in 1988, and achieved moderate success in the early 1990s.-Biography:The band was formed by Michelle McAdorey and Greg Keelor of Blue Rodeo in 1988. Jocelyne Lanois joined the band as bassist and shortly after Ambrose Pottie as drummer...
, Cowboy Junkies
Cowboy Junkies
Cowboy Junkies are a Canadian alternative country/blues/folk rock band. The group was formed in Toronto in 1985 by Margo Timmins , Michael Timmins , Peter Timmins and Alan Anton ....
, Sarah Harmer
Sarah Harmer
Sarah Harmer is a Canadian singer-songwriter and activist.-Biography:Born and raised in Burlington, Ontario, Harmer gained her first exposure to the musician's lifestyle as a teenager, when her older sister Mary started taking her to concerts by the well-known Tragically Hip. At the age of 17, she...
, Jill Barber
Jill Barber
Jill Barber is a Canadian singer-songwriter formerly based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, now based in Vancouver, British Columbia.-Biography:Born and raised in Toronto, she is sister to singer-songwriter Matthew Barber...
, and Kathleen Edwards
Kathleen Edwards
Kathleen Edwards is a Canadian singer-songwriter and musician. Her 2003 debut album, Failer, contained the singles "Six O'Clock News" and "Hockey Skates".- Personal life :...
. They have won many Canadian music awards, including seven Juno Award
Juno Award
The Juno Awards are presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music...
s and seven SOCAN
Society of Composers, Authors, and Music Publishers of Canada
SOCAN is the Canadian copyright collective for the right to communicate to the public and publicly perform musical works...
awards.
On June 16, 2009, it was announced that the band would receive a star on Canada's Walk of Fame
Canada's Walk of Fame
Canada's Walk of Fame , located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is a walk of fame that acknowledges the achievements and accomplishments of successful Canadians...
in Toronto. The induction ceremony was held on September 12, 2009. They are the fifth band to receive the honour.
Television and film
- Blue Rodeo's song "Flying" appears on the soundtrack to the television show dueSouthDue South: The Original Television SoundtrackDue South: The Original Television Soundtrack was a soundtrack album for the Canadian television series Due South, released in 1996.-Track listing:# Jay Semko, "Due South Theme"# Spirit of the West, "Bone of Contention"...
as track 10, album released in 1996.
- The songs "Try" & "Heart Like Mine" is played in the TV show Friday the 13th The Series from the episode 'Cupids Quiver'.
- The song "Bad Timing" is played towards the end of a season finale of the hit Canadian show Corner GasCorner GasCorner Gas is a Canadian television sitcom created by Brent Butt. The series ran for six seasons from 2004 to 2009. Re-runs still air on CTV and The Comedy Network in Canada; it formerly aired on WGN America in the United States....
.
- Blue Rodeo is the band appearing at the end of the 1990 film Postcards from the EdgePostcards from the Edge (film)Postcards from the Edge is a 1990 American comedy-drama film directed by Mike Nichols. The screenplay by Carrie Fisher is based on her 1987 semi-autobiographical novel of the same title.-Plot:...
.
- The song "Try" is played in the background of the bar in the film Navy Seals.
- Greg Keelor, one of the band's founding members, composed the soundtrack for the 2010 film GunlessGunlessGunless is a 2010 Canadian western comedy film directed by William Phillips and released by Alliance Films.- Plot :A hardened American gunfighter arrives in a small town in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, a place that doesn't understand or appreciate the brutal code of the American Wild...
. The soundtrack for the Canadian Western comedy also featured an original ballad by Blue Rodeo titled "Don't Let the Darkness in Your Head".
Notable Performances
On Canada DayCanada Day
Canada Day , formerly Dominion Day , is the national day of Canada, a federal statutory holiday celebrating the anniversary of the July 1, 1867, enactment of the British North America Act , which united three British colonies into a single country, called Canada, within the British Empire...
2008, Blue Rodeo played on Parliament Hill
Parliament Hill
Parliament Hill , colloquially known as The Hill, is an area of Crown land on the southern banks of the Ottawa River in downtown Ottawa, Ontario. Its Gothic revival suite of buildingsthe parliament buildings serves as the home of the Parliament of Canada and contains a number of architectural...
. The band closed the show before the commencement of the fireworks and was joined on stage by several other artists to perform "Lost Together". On November 28, 2009 the band performed at half-time of the 97th Grey Cup
97th Grey Cup
The 97th Grey Cup was played on November 29, 2009, at McMahon Stadium in Calgary, Alberta, and decided the Canadian Football League champion for the 2009 season. The Montreal Alouettes came from behind to defeat the Saskatchewan Roughriders 28-27, on a 33-yard field goal by Damon Duval as time ran...
. The band also performed live concerts for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.
Cuddy and Keelor performed at the annual Folk on the Rocks music festival in Yellowknife, NT
Northwest Territories
The Northwest Territories is a federal territory of Canada.Located in northern Canada, the territory borders Canada's two other territories, Yukon to the west and Nunavut to the east, and three provinces: British Columbia to the southwest, and Alberta and Saskatchewan to the south...
from July 16 to July 18, 2010.
On October 19, 2010, Blue Rodeo played the music viral show BalconyTV
BalconyTV
BalconyTV is a leading daily online viral music show that features bands, musicians and other variety acts on balconies around the world. It was founded in Dublin, in June 2006....
for a rare acoustic performance on a small Balcony overlooking Dame Street, Dublin.
On July 1, 2011, Blue Rodeo performed at Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square is a public space and tourist attraction in central London, England, United Kingdom. At its centre is Nelson's Column, which is guarded by four lion statues at its base. There are a number of statues and sculptures in the square, with one plinth displaying changing pieces of...
as part of the Canada Day in London celebrations.
On July 6, 2011, Blue Rodeo performed at the Winnipeg Folk Festival
Winnipeg Folk Festival
The Winnipeg Folk Festival is a summer folk music festival held in Birds Hill Provincial Park, near Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It features a variety of folk artists from all around the world, as well as a number of local folk performers....
.
Discography
Studio albums- 1987: OutskirtsOutskirts (album)Outskirts is the 1987 debut album by Blue Rodeo. The single "Try" was a hit for the band in their native Canada.-Track listing: #"Heart Like Mine" – 4:38#"Rose-Coloured Glasses" – 4:25#"Rebel" – 3:47#"Joker's Wild" – 4:02#"Piranha Pool" – 6:27...
- 1989: Diamond Mine
- 1990: Casino
- 1992: Lost Together
- 1993: Five Days in JulyFive Days in JulyFive Days in July is a 1993 album by Blue Rodeo. It was keyboardist James Gray's first album with the band. The band's most commercially successful album, it has been certified six times platinum as of 2008....
- 1995: Nowhere to HereNowhere to HereNowhere to Here is a 1995 album by Blue Rodeo.A more electric rock album than the band's 1993 outing Five Days in July, the album was not as well-received by critics and fans as its predecessor...
- 1997: TremoloTremolo (album)Tremolo is a 1997 album by Blue Rodeo.On this album, the band attempted to maintain a more immediate vibe than on 1995's Nowhere to Here, which had been labelled as overly mannered by many critics...
- 2000: The Days in BetweenThe Days in BetweenThe Days In Between is a 2000 album by Blue Rodeo."Truscott" is about the Steven Truscott case.-Track listing:All songs by Greg Keelor and Jim Cuddy.#"Cinema Song" – 3:32#"The Seeker" – 3:46#"Begging You to Let Me In" – 3:29...
- 2002: Palace of Gold
- 2005: Are You Ready
- 2007: Small MiraclesSmall Miracles (album)Small Miracles is the 11th studio album released by Canadian country rock band Blue Rodeo. It was released on October 1, 2007. The first single, C'mon peaked at number 68 on the Canadian Hot 100...
- 2009: The Things We Left BehindThe Things We Left BehindThe Things We Left Behind is the 12th studio album released by Canadian country rock band Blue Rodeo, released on November 10, 2009. It is their first studio double album.The album was a longlisted nominee for the 2010 Polaris Music Prize.-Formats:...
Videography
- Postcards from the EdgePostcards from the Edge (film)Postcards from the Edge is a 1990 American comedy-drama film directed by Mike Nichols. The screenplay by Carrie Fisher is based on her 1987 semi-autobiographical novel of the same title.-Plot:...
(1990) - Blue Movies (1991)
- In Stereovision (2004) - Certified 3× Platinum by the CRIACanadian Recording Industry AssociationMusic Canada is a Toronto-based, non-profit trade organization that was founded 9 April 1963 to represent the interests of companies that record, artists, manufacture, production, promotion and distribution of music in Canada...
. - Watch This! (2004) - Features the video of Blue Rodeo's hit single, "Bulletproof."
- Toronto Rocks (SARSfest) (2004) - Canadian edition featuring Blue Rodeo.