Joey Only is performing a tribute to Stompin’ Tom Connors at the Osoyoos Seniors Centre on March 8 at 7 :30 p.m. Tickets are $20 and available at Mills Office Pro. (Submitted photo)
By Dan Walton
Aberdeen Publishing
“Someone roars: Bobby scores!” at the Stompin’ Tom Connors tribute act.
That’s bound to get shouted when Joey Only embodies the Canadian legend during his show in Osoyoos next week.
Many music lovers may not recognize Stompin’ Tom beyond the his classic Hockey Song, but his music catalogue captures nearly every facet of Canadian culture.
Binge drinking. Getting mad at CBC. Hitchhiking from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
“This guy was a totally badass pre-punk freak,” Only says of Stompin’ Tom, who passed away in 2013.
Just last week, an old band mate of Stompin’ Tom’s was drinking with Only in his kitchen, sharing stories from back in the day.
“The thing with Stompin’ Tom,” Only heard, “someone from the band was contractually obligated to drink with him every night – so if you’re in the band, at least once a week you gotta stay up till sunlight. Old bastard just drank beer. Hardly ever slept or ate.”
Only said before Connors rose to fame in the 1960s, there was a large fanbase already sprinkled throughout the country, as the man spent more than a decade hitchhiking and couch surfing in every province.
Despite writing such quintessential Canadian music, Connors was at odds with the industry, having denounced his six Junos awards and telling CBC to “shove it.”
And those tales will be part of the show when Only takes the stage in Osoyoos.
“It’s always nice to get together with some people, tell some stories from around our country,” he said. “People say I’ve got the look, the voice, even the same eastern Ontario accent.”
The show is happening March 8 at the Osoyoos Seniors Centre. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30. Get tickets ($20) through the Mills Office Pro or by calling Ken at 250-495-3936.”
