In many ways Devin Cuddy was born to be a musician.
As the son of Blue Rodeo鈥檚 Jim Cuddy, country rock is in his veins鈥攁fter all he was born the same week Blue Rodeo began recording its 1987 debut album, Outskirts.
Despite living under the shadow of his father鈥檚 success, Devin has been determined to make it on his own, blending New Orleans blues with country, two of the unlikeliest genres.聽
鈥淧eople ask that question a lot,鈥� said Devin, about growing up under his father鈥檚 shadow.
鈥淚t was normal. I didn鈥檛 really know anything else. He was my dad and that was his job. I certainly recognize it afforded us some incredible experiences, but I don鈥檛 really know how it would have been any other way.
鈥淎s I look back on growing up around that world I realized it kind of seeped in very slowly. I learned a lot from them about poise and how to carry yourself and how to put on a good show.鈥�
Growing up, Devin enjoyed his father鈥檚 music, but soon took a liking to jazz and blues, ultimately culminating in his decision to study jazz performance at York University in Toronto.
鈥淚 think that is where I strayed furthest from [Blue Rodeo鈥檚] genre, although I always enjoyed country music,鈥� said Devin.
With two albums under his belt, the musician has big plans for 2016 with a Western Canadian tour starting this week, a European tour in the spring and the release of his third record by the end of 2016.聽
In preparation for the new record, Devin and his band will hit the road this week to try out some of their new tunes, including a stop in Jasper at the Royal Canadian Legion on Jan. 21.
鈥淲e鈥檙e going to have some freshly written songs and new arrangements to try out and we鈥檒l be cooking by the time we get to Jasper,鈥� said Devin
鈥淸The new songs] are a little more rock oriented, I think, than the country vibe we鈥檝e had on the last two records.鈥�
To hear some of his new tunes, head over to the Jasper Legion Jan. 21. Tickets are $10 and can be bought at the door or online through www.ticketweb.ca. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Paul Clarke [email protected]
