Southern Albertan songwriters Leeroy Stagger, John Wort Hannam and Dave McCann can’t wait to get back on the road again together. They are touring as the Highway 3 Roots review for 10 dates around Alberta this month. The tour hits the Geomattic Attic Dec. 16.“Neither of us are great guitar players, so it becomes more about the songs and the interplay between us,” Stagger said adding each performer will do about six or seven songs each.
“We’re going to a couple different places like High River. And we’re playing the Geomatic Attic this time. Last year we were in the Sterndale Bennett Theatre. So I’m looking forward to it. I’ve never been to the Geomatic Attic, though I played the old place,” Stagger said adding he enjoys the camaraderie on the tour.
“They are not only excellent songwriters, but they’re great guys to travel with. There’s lots of jokes and we’re laughing most of the time,” he said adding because they three are so busy, they don’t really plan how the actual Highway 3 Roots Review shows go.
“We’re all busy so it’s not as though the shows are really prepared. It’s an excuse to get away from all of our other activities. We’re just excited to get out of the house,” he said. While they all have new CDs out this year, that wasn’t the impetus behind the second edition of Highway 3 Roots Review.
“I didn’t even think of that,” said Stagger, preparing for the first show of the nine date tour in Calgary.
“All of us have been as busy as hell. I’m writing for a new record, Dave just had a baby and is renovating his house and John is on tour. So this is an excuse to get out of the house, play some shows together and hang out with each other,” said Stagger, who just returned from a tour of Germany with his band. The three enjoyed touring with each other so much last year, that they decided to do it again this year.
Stagger is also excited about the new record he is working on.
“It’s going pretty good. I’m looking at recording it in a church in Calgary,” he said adding he is considering putting out a double album out hopefully by May.
“I’ve got a lot of songs. So now I’m in complete control of my career, this would be the time to do it. I’ve got about 22 potential songs for it,” he said adding he was playing a few of the new one on his recent tour of Germany and will likely play some of them during the Highway 3 Roots Review tour, to help him gauge crowd response.
Stagger enjoyed his first headlining European tour which he just returned from.
“It was great, the crowds were much better than in Canada,” he continued, noting while the shows weren’t sold out— for the most part— he had quite a few of his German fans singing along.
“That was weird, but it was great,” he said.
“I”m excited to see what people think about the new songs,” he said noting more of the new material has a strong political element.
“There a re a lot of things going on in our own province, that needs to be talked about. I’m interested to see how people will react to it. It’s not as blatant, but I’m singing about the tar sands, and power being exported to the United States,” he said.
“As an artist, it is my job to speak about these things, no matter if it will offend people. These are things I feel strongly about and it comes out in the songs. I’m not going to keep my mouth shut for the sake of not offending someone,” he said.
“I’ve really come to love southern Alberta,” said the Victoria, B.C transplant.
“It’s such an amazing and unique place,” he said adding it is a shame to see parts of it being destroyed. E-Mail Mike Spencer for tickets to the show which begins Wednesday, Dec. 16 night at 8 p.m. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Tickets will be on sale for next year which includes some excellent shows including Stephen Fearing, Sam Baker and Gurf Morlix, Dave Alvin and Carlos DelJunco.
