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FYI

Blackie & The Rodeo Kings: Cold 100

The Juno-winning roots-rock super trio previews album No. 10 with an uptempo ode to life on the road, sung in sweet unison.

Blackie & The Rodeo Kings: Cold 100

By Kerry Doole

Blackie & The Rodeo Kings: Cold 100 (Warner Music Canada): The Canadian roots rock trio turns 25 in 2020, and the milestone year might just become Blackie's best yet.


On January 24, they release their 10th studio album, King Of This Town, on Warner Music Canada. The fact it has taken a quarter-century for a major label to see the light and sign these guys is mind-boggling, but better late than never.

The Juno-winning BARK comprises three veteran singer/songwriters: Tom Wilson, Colin Linden, and Stephen Fearing. All continue to have flourishing careers outside the project, but magic happens when they put on their crowns and work together. The group is more than the sum of its parts, and when the parts are this talented, that's saying something.

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On this advance lead single, the vocals are sung in unison, and that adds meat to the catchy uptempo ode to life on the road -  "I keep riding these cold 100 miles... it's 40 below above the old 45." The playing sparkles, and a fun lyric video accompanies the track.

Just another winning tune in a formidable discography that remains underappreciated here. Long may they ride!

BARK kick off 2020 with three shows in Nashville, including the famed Grand Ole Opry (Jan. 4), and Bluebird Cafe (Jan. 9). That's followed by four Ontario February dates, including Toronto's Danforth Music Hall (Feb. 21). Every ticket for the King Of This Town tour will include a digital copy of the new album. Full itinerary here 

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Publicity: Jess Seguire, Alley Cat PR

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Howard Willett (right) with Whiskey Jack
Courtesy photo

Howard Willett (right) with Whiskey Jack

FYI

Obituaries: Toronto Harmonica Ace/Vocalist Howard Willett Remembered By His Peers

This week we also acknowledge the passing of The Cure keyboardist/guitarist Perry Bamonte, bubblegum hitmaker Jerry Kasenetz, influential U.S. label head Howie Klein and innovative jazz musician Michal Urbaniak.

Howard Willett, a vocalist and harmonica player with the Bebop Cowboys, Whiskey Jack and many other Ontario country/roots outfits, died on Dec. 31. His age has not been reported.

On his Perlich Post blog, Toronto music journalist Tim Perlich says, "I'm saddened to hear that Parry Sound-born singer/harmonica ace Howard Willett has passed away. Howard was a longtime performer on the Toronto scene, well known for his work with the Bebop Cowboys, Swing-a-Billy Orchestra, Whiskey Jack, Junction City AllStars, The Shifters and many others. He'll be greatly missed."

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