It hasn't hit him yet

Published in The Cottage Times, July 2008

When promoting an event, it can be difficult to sum up what the audience should expect from a concert in just a few words. Without seeing the show first, it’s nearly impossible to capture the emotion and spirit a live concert brings to an audience, especially since no two live shows are alike.

In promoting Jim Cuddy’s upcoming solo performance on July 7 and 8, the Algonquin Theatre writes that “Jim Cuddy showcases his hits in this high energy show, backed up by a quartet of stellar musicians,” but those who have been to a Cuddy or Blue Rodeo concert before, know it promises to be much, much more than that.

Though Cuddy has been performing in Muskoka as frontman for popular Canadian band Blue Rodeo for 20 years, he returns this summer to perform at Algonquin Theatre with the solo project that he has worked vigilantly to maintain for close to nine years. Though he sometimes rehashes Blue Rodeo songs while singing solo, they often sound quite different because of the spin put on them by Cuddy and his band.

“We don’t play a lot so we’re kind of loose. We’re less an ensemble and more a collection of individuals, and the individual talents are showcased,” says Cuddy, describing the arrangement of he and his band. “There’s Anne Lindsay, she’s an incredibly beautiful violin player and Colin Cripps, and he’s beautiful guitar player…we do it for fun.”

Though Cuddy has always had success with Blue Rodeo, he went solo almost a decade ago after his songwriting partner, Greg Keelor, branched off from the band to work on his own solo career. Cuddy and Keelor had always played in bands together, so Cuddy took a note from his partner in crime and tested the waters on his own as well.

“There was a period of time where Greg was tired of all the work we had to do in Blue Rodeo, so I sort of did (a solo record) in defense. I just thought if he leaves, I guess I’ll be on my own so I might as well try it,” says Cuddy. “What I realize, was that it was actually a very good adjunct to being in Blue Rodeo. It was a very enjoyable, relaxed outlet and there’s no problem with making more music.”

Cuddy released his first solo album in 1998, entitled All In Time, to rave reviews. His first album became a Gold record. From the success of the first, Cuddy continued to work on his music and the second solo album, The Light That Guides You Home, was released in September of 2006. Though he explains it became more difficult splitting the schedule between Blue Rodeo and his new project, Cuddy loves the discipline of writing more songs and didn’t back away from the challenge.

“It allowed me to pursue some sounds, some songs that ended up being slightly different than Blue Rodeo,” he says. “It’s been very rewarding.”


No stranger to Muskoka, Cuddy feels very fortunate that he is able to travel and tour to so many unique venues like the Kee to Bala or the Algonquin Theatre. The more remote the location, the more interesting he finds it to perform and he loves the feeling of performing in front of such a laid back audience.

“Everybody isn’t in city mode, they’re in lake mode,” says Cuddy. “It’s a very enjoyable experience – coming off stage, standing outside and looking at the stars.”

So what can those who are in “lake mode” expect from Cuddy’s upcoming, back to back shows? Though they can count on hearing a combination of his own music and some reworked Blue Rodeo songs, he’s never sure what will strike him in the moment.

“It really depends on the night, it depends on the crowd, what it’s like,” says Cuddy. “I like having a catalog of songs I can go from.”