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invites the public for a discussion on Wakamow Valley, No charge admission! Moose Jaw Library Theater, March 21 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
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“WELCOME TO THE REAL NEWS”
Volume 17, Issue 12 | Wed., March 20, 2024
Award-winning musical talent Jack Semple to commemorate Gordon Lightfoot this spring Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express / MooseJawToday.com
The legacy of Gordon Lightfoot will So far this year, the band has performed in Regina, Prince Albert, be celebrated at the Moose Jaw CulturEstevan, and Semple said he plans to al Centre this spring, and fans will be tour in Edmonton, Calgary, and Winable to hear an expert rendition of the nipeg in the upcoming months. legendary songwriter’s works through ³7KH YHU\ ¿UVW FRQFHUW , HYHU ZHQW the Regina-based and award-winning to, I was 11 years old, (and it) was a talent Jack Semple. Gordon Lightfoot concert. That was This coming Saturday, April 6, before I was playing guitar,” Semple Semple will be stopping at the Moose recalled. Jaw Cultural Centre during his Can“I think it had a big impression ada-wide tour where he will be peron me, because I had never seen live forming a live commemorative conmusic before. Gordon Lightfoot is as cert to honour the memory and legacy good a song writer as Leonard Cohen, of Lightfoot who died on May 1, 2023. Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, or Lennon The performance will kick off at McCartney so it left a big impression 7:30 p.m. and is scheduled to run until on me. 10 p.m. “It was probably the main reason “That’s what it’s going to be – it’s I became a professional musician,” he going to be all Gordon Lightfoot tunes, said. mostly acoustic guitar with some elecSemple was drawn to Lightfoot’s WULF JXLWDU« ´ 6HPSOH FRQ¿UPHG 7KH songs primarily because of the high style will be predominantly acoustic level of creativity and his mastery of blues. classical songwriting. The performance will feature a “I also got to meet him a few number of Lightfoot’s more popular Jack Semple will be performing his tribute to the legacy times, and he was a very humble and songs including “If You Could Read of Gordon Lightfoot on Saturday, April 6 at the Moose helpful person,” Semple noted. My Mind,” “Canadian Railroad TriloJaw Cultural Centre. Photo by: Jack Semple “I made a tribute to him back in gy,” “Sundown,” and “Carefree High2006… and I gave it to him. He was way.” He said many of these songs are masterpieces comparable to very gracious to phone me back after a couple of weeks and go “Both Sides Now” by Joni Mitchell or “Hallelujah” by Leonard Co- through the CD with me. He gave me his thumbs up and (told me) hen. “You know, the ones that stand above all the other popular how much he liked it.” As a testament to the character of Gordon Lightfoot, Semple music that has ever been written. “‘If You Could Read My Mind’ is, from a songwriter’s point of said he was well-received on each occasion he got to meet the legend in person. view, a masterpiece.” “I got a thumbs up from the master,” he said. “He didn’t have Growing up on a farm north of Regina, Sask., Semple began his career playing with a number of Regina-based bands. During the to do that, because he didn’t know me from a hole in the ground.” To purchase tickets for the upcoming concert, visit MooseJaw80s, he moved to Toronto where he became the lead guitarist of The &XOWXUH FD RU FDOO WKH ER[ RI¿FH RI WKH 0RRVH -DZ &XOWXUDO &HQWUH Lincolns, a popular funk, rhythm, and blues band. Semple left the band after two years and returned to Regina at 306-693-4700. For more information on Jack Semple and his musical career, where he was able to spend more time with his family. It was here visit JackSemple.com. that he started to pursue a solo career in music. Since his career began, Semple released 10 albums, appeared in the title role of the 1994 television movie “Guitarman”, and in 1992 he came to national prominence after winning the “Guitar Insurance Motor Licensing Real Estate Wars” contest hosted by MuchMusic. Semple has been twice nominated for a GemCanada Post Office Notary Public ini Award for his work on the soundtrack of the Apartment Rentals television series “Incredible Story Studio”. He won a Juno award in 1991 for best roots recordWe have you covered in one convenient location! ing and two Western Canadian Music Awards for “Qu’Appelle” and “In the Blue Light.” Today, Semple continues to perform across &DQDGD ZLWK WKH ¿YH PHPEHU -DFN 6HPSOH %DQG
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