Wow, can't believe it's already been a week since Buzzard, Cuz and I went to the free Leeroy Stagger show at the CKUA studio in downtown Edmonton. This was my 11th time seeing Leeroy perform live and second time in three weeks seeing him and his band play.
This free show was presented by CKUA as part of the Touch the Transmitter tour that CKUA did in celebration of being 20 years since being back on the air after signing off 20 years ago because of lack of funds. The tour involved CKUA personalities Hayley Muir and David Ward touring all over Alberta touching all 16 transmitters, at each stop they held a meet and greet and a live performance by an artist. It was twenty years ago that CKUA was taken off the air after the government stopped funding for this station. The station has now been on air for eight decades with many more to follow. Since 1997 the station runs with the help of listener donations (fund drives held twice a year, spring and fall), corporate sponsors, volunteers and of course commercials which are few and far between making for a great listening experience. This station actually plays real music, playing a very eclectic variety, well worth checking out. To read more about the history of the station click here.
So the Leeroy Stagger show was the wrap up party for the Touch the Transmitter Tour and tied in with Leeroy's Friday night radio show (Dirty Windshields Radio Hour) that he has been hosting on Friday's for the month of April. Not only that, it was the album release day of Leeroy Stagger's excellent new album "Love Versus", which is his ninth studio album. So Leeroy and his band did the whole "Love Versus" album during a live broadcast of what would normally be his radio show. The concert was excellent and gave everyone in attendance a chance to hear the full album live, which to me sounds even better then the studio version. Also during the hour long broadcast Grant Stovel a DJ with CKUA hosted the show as Leeroy was performing, asking questions in between songs. Great job Leeroy Stagger and CKUA! The only song they performed at this showcase not from the new album was the very last song "Dirty Windshields" from his album 2013 album Radiant Land. Good times!!!
Leeroy Stagger at the CKUA Edmonton studio.
In concert news...You can catch Leeroy Stagger and his band with opener JJ Shiplett with guest John Guliak playing Saturday April 29th at the Almanac on Whyte Avenue here in Edmonton. Tickets available at Blackbyrd Myoozik and YEG Live.
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