Don Amero is a busy man. His most recent single, ‘Morning Coffee’, was released only last week, and is about to hit radio. He’s also preparing for a tour of Saskatchewan, which will see him come to Yorkton as part of the Yorkton Arts Council’s Stars for Saskatchewan Series. That show is Feb. 25.
The flurry of activity from Amero started after he signed with MDM Recordings - the same label as Jess Moskaluke and Charlie Major. With their support, he has been in the studio recording a lot of new music.
“It has been an incredible year, I’d say.”
He has also been trying new things, testing out different styles and making music that’s a bit different from what he’s recorded in the past. He also said that one of the new things is recording songs written by others, because it’s a way to record things that are in a different style.
“I tend to be a melancholy sort of writer. Aim right for the heart and make you want to cry. There are incredible songs out there that need a home, and I don’t write the toe tapping songs that resonate in the country community so much... They’re incredible songs that resonate with me that I feel like I get to be the one presenting them to the world, so I’m really excited about that.”
His goal as a performer remains the same, whether it’s a song he’s written or not, and that’s to make songs that can help people.
“My hope has never been chasing awards, it has never been chasing fame or money. All of those things are good, they’re nice to have, but it’s never been about that for me. It has been how can I help the person listening? How can I help them in their daily life? If they’re having a tough day, how can I help them out?”
That has been the philosophy behind his recent singles, as Amero explained.
“Music Lover, as much as that is a really sweet love song, the biggest thing for me with that one, was that if I can get people to love the people who they are with a little harder, to love the people you are beside a little more, that’s the goal there. A song like Church is about centering yourself to the world and connecting more to the ground. That’s what I tend to do, I pick songs where if I can help you in your day, that’s what I intend to do.”
Being a performer has taken a lot of work, and Amero said it was his stubbornness that helped make his career, along with the support of his wife.
“I had the audacity to think that I could make it in this industry... I should say, throughout the whole journey, up until about two years ago I’d say, I had these white flag moments where I would say ‘I can’t do this anymore, I have to give up.’ And the next thing you know, something incredible happens that keeps going and fuels the tank that helps you get to the next spot... I’m so glad I stuck with it. I’m at a point right now where I’m not sure what the future holds, but right now it feels like this will be the career for me, I’ll do this until my dying day, and that wouldn’t be the case if I didn’t stick with it.”
In spite of being a Manitoba artist, Amero hasn’t done a lot of touring in Saskatchewan. He said he’s excited to get to the province because it’s close to a home town show.
“It makes it really relatable that there are a lot of similarities between Saskatchewan and Manitoba, despite our rivalries, I think there is a lot of common ground.”
Putting on a tour which will hit many smaller centres, Amero said that he’s excited to connect with people, something he feels can be easier in smaller towns.
“It’s really about people, and connecting with people. It’s hard to do in the big centres sometimes when it’s hustle and bustle and go-go-go. Smaller communities get it. They get the community sense, the get that it’s really about each other... I do believe connection is where it’s at, connection is what we long for as humans, and I think when you’re in smaller towns, you understand that.”
You could win tickets to see Amero when he comes to Yorkton from Yorkton This Week. Click here to enter!
