Vancouver based songwriter Barney Bentall always has ”Something to Live for”, lately it is the eleventh annual Cariboo Express Tour which comes to Lethbridge, Nov. 2 at the Southminster United Church with Bentall and an all star line up including his son Dustin Bentall, Matt Masters, Ridley Bent, Adrian Dolan, Wendy Bird, Kendel Carson and Lethbridge’s own Leeroy Stagger all backed by a crack band.
Bentall is best known for recording several upbeat, optimistic hits in the late ’80s, early ’90s including “Life Could Be Worse” and Something to Live For,” but he is always excited to tour with the Cariboo Express every November.
Bentall noted the Cariboo Express stops in Lethbridge because of Leeroy Stagger.
“Leeroy has been with the Cariboo Express since the beginning. He’s such a fantastic songwriter and performer. It’s great he lives there and does so much,” enthused Bentall, who met Stagger while he was working with Bentall’s buddy Johnny Ellis on one of Stagger‘s solo CDs.
The Cariboo Express used to be called the Grand Cariboo Opry but had to change the name because of the Grand Ole Opry.
“It’s based on that format. Ridley and Leeroy and Dustin are part of that old tradition of the old travelling troubadour. It’s in their marrow and it’s in their genes. I really dig what they do,” said Bentall, taking a break from recording a new CD he expects to release in May. Recording and playing gigs is Bentall’s life.
“ I also have hobby ranch I like to work on. So that’s a big part of my life. I just like hanging out in the country,” he said.
The Grand Cariboo Express is usually a fundraiser for various Western Canadian charities, so the show requires a lot of organization.
“ It takes a little bit of work so sometimes it’s just nice to go into a market we’ve never been to and just do gigs, like in Lethbridge,” he said.
He is excited to bring the show to Lethbridge.
In addition to helping out charity, the Grand Cariboo Express provides him an excellent annual opportunity to hang out with his son Dustin, a talented songwriter in his own right.
“We don’t get to hang out very often, though we did a charity show in Edmonton with Allan Doyle (of Great Big Sea). So it is always great to see Dustin and hang out with him and spend November collaborating with him on stage,” he said.
“People will not go away disappointed. It’s a great group of talented people and a wonderful collection of songs we’re playing,” he said, adding that includes solo hits, well known covers and something special.
“ I think Leeroy is playing Ian Tyson’s ‘Summer Wages’ and we‘re doing a songs from a hat thing of songs from the Band as it’s the 40th anniversary of the Last Waltz. and we’ll probably do a tribute to people who have passed away this year like Merle Haggard, David Bowie and Prince. I’ll be playing some of my hits. It all forms pretty organically,” he said.
“ So come out and support it’s going to be a good time,” he said.
He enjoys playing Lethbridge.
“ I remember we played the university when the Blue Jays won the World Series. We waited until after the game to play and the place was packed and there was a such a great feeling in the air. It’s amazing to see that after something good like the World series,” he said.
Barney Bentall and the Cariboo Express, featuring Leeroy Stagger, Ridley Bent, Kendall Carson, Matt Masters and Dustin Bentall begins at 8 p.m. at the Southminster United Church. Tickets are $40 in advance from Blueprint, Casa and the Geomatic Attic , $42.550 online and $45 at the door.