Petunia Returns

Vancouver’s yodeling cowboy returns to the province with three New Brunswick shows.

How does an artist rise to iconic status? Do they need to travel the world; perform in every city, town and village from one side of a country to another; possess a distinct and unparalleled degree of musicianship; or captivate audiences night after night and hold their attention from the first note to the final decaying chords of the show’s encore? Perhaps they need a back catalogue of recordings that demonstrate growth and evolution while continuously remaining true to their vision, their voice and most of all, themselves. Who knows?

Petunia has accomplished all of the above yet for whatever unexplained reason, few people know of the man, the myth, and the legend (and one-time Fredericton scene mainstay). That may be a cliché description but if you’re at all familiar with Petunia, you’ll certainly find it a fitting profile. If you have yet to experience Petunia, you’ll have an opportunity next week when he passes through the province playing shows in Petit-Rocher, Moncton and Fredericton.

Oh, and by the way, he’s traveling with The Minimalist Jug Band (Fredericton show only), a beat poet and performance artist whose performances have been known to induce tears of joy and sorry simultaneously.

These two performers deliver an evening unlike any other. Don’t pass up your chance to see this show. Someday, you’ll be able to brag about it.