Ian Tyson dreamed of seeing the Calgary Stampede when he was growing up. He finally made the trek there in the 1950s to see his hero, Casey Tibbs, an American cowboy, rodeo performer and actor; a man Tyson would immortalize in song. Now, 50 years later, it’s Tyson’s turn to have a place of honour at the Stampede. Tyson will be the parade marshal for this year’s centennial edition. He’ll be joined at the front of the parade by the chiefs of the Treaty 7 First Nations.
This is just the latest in a string of accomplishments for Tyson. Recently, a public art project along Calgary’s C-Train line was unveiled. It features lyrics from Tyson’s 2005 song “Land of Shining Mountains” etched into glass on a limestone wall at 7th Avenue and 9th Street S.W.
Tyson will be providing more lyrics soon, should there ever be a need for additional monuments. He’s set to release a new disc called Raven Singer at the end of May. Tyson has been making the album over the last three years, and it will be the first since his 2008 release, Yellowhead to Yellowstone and Other Love Stories. Raven Singer marks Tyson’s 14th solo studio album for Stony Plain Records. The album’s title harkens to a sweat lodge ceremony at the Nakoda First Nation, near Banff, Alta. There, Tyson was honoured with the name Ka-ree-a-hiatha – raven that sings. “Saddle Bronc Girl” is one of the songs from the new disc:
Perhaps as an omen of good things to come, Tyson saw his 1996 release All the Good ‘Uns certified gold in Canada on Feb. 22, with sales of over 50,000 copies. He can add that achievement to the numerous Canadian country music awards, membership in the Juno Awards hall of fame as well as four other industry organization honours. In addition, Tyson can count three honourary doctorates and membership in the Order of Canada among his accomplishments. Not to mention that “Four Strong Winds” was chosen in 2006 as Canada’s number one song of the 20th century by CBC listeners.
So it’s been a good start to 2012, a year that will see Tyson turn 79 in September. It will also be the motivation to keep him going strong, because when Tyson isn’t working his ranch, he’s out performing. If you’re in the Calgary area from July 9 to 15, you can see Tyson with Corb Lund at the Epcor Centre for the Performing Arts. It’s part of the Stampede celebrations, and the two artists will share songs and stories to mark 100 years of Calgary cowboys.
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