Few things scream Canadian quite like a Tim Hus song.
The Sundre based singer-songwriter has spent the past 15 years on the road singing about everything from farmers and fishermen to cowboys and truck drivers.
鈥淩ight from the beginning I made up my mind that I wanted to do Canadian country songs because this is where I鈥檓 from, this is where I live and this is where I tour,鈥� Hus said. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 have a grand plan鈥擨 just went from coast to coast singing songs about my Canadian experiences.鈥�
Right now Hus is sharing those experiences and creating new ones as he tours across western Canada this summer, making a stop in Jasper, July 21, at the Jasper Royal Canadian Legion鈥攖his will be Hus鈥� second stop over the last few years at the local watering hole.
鈥淭he legion was real good to us so we鈥檙e excited to come back. Sometimes we play big festivals and sometimes we play for a few people in a backyard or a cafe鈥攚e like playing for all different types of crowds in all different types of places,鈥� said Hus, adding that no matter where he and his band play they always get people stomping along and belting out a few lines.
鈥淧eople tell me it鈥檚 quite a humorous show because we tell a lot of stories and just have a real friendly boot-stomping good time.鈥�
Hus started his career right after high school when he was working at a British Columbia timber camp. After a long day of labour he often picked up an acoustic guitar and would start wailing out some old country tunes. However, one night one of his work buddies suggested that instead of his usual repertoire of covers, Hus should start writing his own songs. That same night he sat down and gave it a shot.
Fast forward a decade later and he鈥檚 playing for crowds of 25,000 at the Calgary Stampede鈥檚 main stage and touring with Canadian music legend鈥攁nd Hus鈥� personal hero鈥擲tompin鈥� Tom Connors.
鈥淭om is the icon of Canadiana music and that鈥檚 the kind of music that I鈥檝e always wanted to do鈥攊t鈥檚 a very niche market because very few artists make these Canadiana songs or if they do they only have one or two,鈥� Hus said. 鈥淚鈥檝e built a troubadour style career where all my songs are written about traveling around and the people we meet.鈥�
Despite having six albums under his belt, Hus said he has no desire to slow down the songwriting, adding that Canada provides a wealth of inspiration for him.
鈥淚鈥檝e always had an interest in local history so when you鈥檙e looking at a country of this size I feel like I have access to a bottomless well of great people and great places,鈥� Hus said.
Hus will be bringing his troubadour act to the legion, July 21 at 9 p.m. Tickets are $20 and are available at the legion, Coco鈥檚 Cafe or www.ticketweb.ca.
Kayla Byrne [email protected]
