YORKTON - Perennial favourite Scott Woods is heading back to Yorkton for a show Sept. 24.
For Woods the Yorkton show is part of yet another tour -- 59 shows in 72 days in six provinces -- for the long-time musician.
So does life on the road ever grow tiresome?
“You certainly have to pace yourself, it is a long time to be up for a performance everyday,” Woods told Yorkton This Week.
“But more than that, we do all our own production - sound lighting, backdrop, projection, costumes, props and all our instruments etc, to set up and tear down everyday. There are just the five of us doing all this, and handing out programs and ushering too.
“And I do all the driving of our bus, plus maintenance that may be required on the road, such as servicing the generator or other small repairs needed to keep the show rolling. And my dog travels with us, so as much as she is a comfort and companion, she needs regular walks and attention on the road as well.”
Still Woods likes what he does.
“The reward all comes when we hit the stage and see the audience connect with our performance,” he said. “That is the high that any entertainer lives for and makes all the background work worthwhile.”
But, has there ever been a time Woods came close to hanging up the bus keys?
“Ironically, at the end of 2019, I was feeling a little burnt out,” he said, but added time changed that. “After a few weeks rest, I was not quite ready to give up, but certainly thinking more about slowing down.
“And then COVID hit -- the thing that I thought I didn’t want to do any more suddenly became the thing I longed for more than anything.
“I drove a big truck long haul for almost two years during the COVID lock down times and it made me realize just how much I do love performing - even with all the hard work it comes with.”
It helps too Woods tries to keep things fresh, not just for his audience, but for himself.
“My personal pet peeve is an artist that does the same show year after year,” he said. “I decided many years ago that we would change our show to a brand new theme, with different music, different jokes -- not better one ... just different ones -- and different costumes. That keeps it fresh for the music side.
“And the audiences keep changing. We have lots of new people in the crowd every year, so it’s all new to them.”
The personnel changes at times too.
“This year we have a new band mate too - Kurk Bernard,” said Woods. “He is from Nail Pond, PEI and is a fantastic bass player and will sing lead for most of the show. I have known and worked with Kurk for many years, but this is his first time with our show.”
While new people in the audience are appreciated, familiar faces create a sense of connectedness.
“I often say that in Canada we can be 3,000 km from home and still feel as comfortable as in our own living room,” said Woods. “Our fans are very loyal and although I don’t remember all their names, I do recognize lots of them every time we come back to the area. Some will bring the band a pie, or some cookies and one fan from Ericson, Man. will come and hang out on the bus with us as he travels to several shows. He has also visited us in Ontario.
“Generally you couldn’t ask for better folks to perform for.”
For Woods there have been a legion of shows over a very long career to build familiarity with fans.
“I started playing violin at age four, and I performed in front of an audience at seven,” he related.
“I was full time in the family band by eight and I took over fronting the group around age 15.
“I have played many other shows and with many bands, but putting the whole show together is an art all in itself. This year’s show theme is Yee Haw - based roughly on the iconic TV show Hee Haw that ran from 1969 to 1997. This is the just the start of the tour for Yee Haw, though we have had many months preparing.
“We recorded a new album, also called Yee Haw and have been preparing all the music and logistics in fine detail. My sister Kendra does most of the admin to get the show on the road and the travels and performs every night as well.”
Given the long career does it get harder to keep shows fresh?
Woods again noted his new band mate as an example of freshening things.
“(Bernard) brings a whole new repertoire of music, many of which he has performed with our guitar player, Steve Piticco and Steve’s band: South Mountain. I have also toured as fiddle player with South Mountain so it was an easy transition for the Scott Woods Band to incorporate some of the South Mountain repertoire. I also find lots of old gems in recordings from some of my heroes. I try to keep something fresh but yet give a healthy dose of familiar favourites perhaps with a new spin, to our long-time fans,” said Woods
Woods did go into more detail on the latest show.
“The premise for the show is that the crowd is the ‘studio audience’ to a brand new TV show called Yee Haw,” he explained. “While there are some common elements to the actual Hee Haw TV show, we can’t and don’t try to imitate or recreate it. We have lots of great country music - perhaps more vocals than some of our past shows. We have lots of great costumes and characters on the show plus the famous trick fiddling that has earned my the nickname ‘Flippin’ Fiddler’.
“And Leo Stock will be showing off his fancy footwork as the recently crowned three-time undefeated winner of the Canadian Open Step Dancing Championship in early September.
My sister, Kendra Norris has a brand new ‘Minnie Pearl’ routine and there is a lot of fantastic guitar picking by virtuoso guitarist Steve Piticco.
“Our regular fans of the Scott Woods Show will recognize the format of our show but most of the music itself is different and the theme and flow is fresh as well. You certainly don’t have to be a country music fan - or a fiddle music fan to enjoy our show.
“It is family friendly and you can feel comfortable bringing your grand kids or grandparents - whatever the case may be.”
