Leader staff
Stage North’s fifth concert of the 2024-25 season is Kyle McKearney.
McKearney, the Airdrie-based musician originally from Fort St. John B.C., classifies himself as “alternative country.”
What exactly that means McKearney will answer through his performance at the March 1 concert at Slave Lake’s Legacy Centre. It suggests something different than ‘standard’ country, although defining that might be difficult as well. Judging by a quick online tour of some of his songs, he’s got catchy tunes, good production, a strong and pleasing singing voice and – notably – a kick-ass back-up singer in Sarah McKearney. A good example of what she adds to a song can be heard on the McKearney video ‘Broken Hearts Hide.’
“I’ve never been to Slave Lake before,” McKearney told The Leader in a phone interview on Feb. 4.
He won’t be here very long, either. He’s nominated for four or five Alberta Country Music Awards, and the ceremony is the next day in Calgary.
“We have to rip fast back (to Calgary),” he said.
McKearney will be supported by a six-piece band for the show, which kicks off at 7:30 p.m.
McKearney’s debut solo album, called Down-Home, received a Canadian Country Music Association award nomination for Alternative Country Album of the Year. He also earned two Western Canadian Music Award nominations, was named a SiriusXM Top of the Country semi-finalist, and placed second in Alberta Music’s Project Wild. He has shared stages with The Black Crowes, Kip Moore, Our Lady Peace and Dean Brody, all while racking up over one million global streams.
Kyle hasn’t wasted any time building momentum. Fans have been treated to new music over the past several months with the singles ‘Mercy,’ ‘River Rain’ and ‘Grandfather,’ displaying his maturation as a songwriter, while still showing off his powerful voice and his evolving collaboration with Juno Award-winning producer/guitarist/songwriter Russell Broom.
The latest single, Whispering Pines, is a soaring duet between Kyle and his wife Sarah that speaks to the challenges of working parents, written while Kyle was away from home and Sarah was taking care of the household. Such honest emotions have formed the basis of every song Kyle has written to date, a reflection of being born and raised in small-town Northern British Columbia, and of his family’s Métis heritage.
A special treat at this concert is an act that many are familiar with. Stage North is very pleased that special guests Will O’Donnell and Ray Haines will open on the Legacy Centre stage.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. (Elks cash bar is open), with the show starting at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $40 for adults, $35 for seniors, and kids 16 and under are free. Tickets online at www.stagenorth.org, at Distractions, Soulshine or the Rotary Library. To reserve a table for your group (up to eight), call Karen at 780-805-0367.
