Life’s a bit of a dichotomy for Central Alberta country star Shane Yellowbird, who sings love songs but has no time for a love life.
Yellowbird, who headlines the Central Music Festival on Saturday, Aug. 14, admitted there are only so many autobiography details that he can add to a song like I Can Help You With That, about a guy offering emotional support to a girl he likes.
“It’s impossible to have a personal life when you’re on the road all the time,” said the performer, who’s been overwhelmingly focused on his career since deciding to move to Nashville to try for some crossover success in the U.S.
While the Cree singer from Hobbema intends to keep a Canadian address in Ponoka, he said he’s looking forward to moving south of the border soon, since Nashville is so much more connected to the country music scene.
So far, several smaller U.S. radio stations — particularly aboriginal ones — are playing Yellowbird’s material, but he’s heard it’s harder for non-Americans to crack larger markets in the States.
On the brighter side, the U.S. has many more huge markets than Canada and Yellowbird feels he’s steadily getting his name out there. “You’ve just got to try that much harder,” he reasoned.
He’s already made his first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry stage in Nashville — an experience he recalled as “amazing.”
The singer also released a second album, It’s About Time, which he believes is “more about me” than the debut album that propelled him to country music fame in 2006.
Life is Calling My Name garnered Yellowbird four top-10 hits, including the Canadian Country Music Association Rising Star of the Year Award, a Native American Music Award, an Aboriginal People’s Choice Award and a Juno Award nomination.
It’s About Time shows the singer’s evolution as a performer, containing two songs he wrote — I Can Help You With That and Sedona, Arizona, through which Yellowbird turned a musically-named place where his cousin lives into a love song.
The singer has credited his rodeo upbringing for giving him country cred. Yellowbird’s parents competed in barrel racing, calf roping and other events on the circuit while their children were growing up. And Yellowbird became involved in rodeo himself for a while, before being drawn to other sports in high school.
He considers the animal-cruelty criticism being heaped on rodeo as misguided talk by some people who don’t understand the lifestyle. “It’s got its own beliefs and culture. . . .
“I grew up on the back of a horse,” Yellowbird continued, “and I can tell you that a horse can die by tripping on a gopher hole.”
So does he still get to rope and ride, or participate in other kind of sports? Not a chance, Yellowbird admitted.
The singer said he doesn’t even have time to pick up a pencil to draw anymore — despite once being enrolled in the Red Deer College fine arts program.
“I’m too busy for that. Where I spend my time these days is in buses, planes, hotels and airports.”
For more information about the Central Music Festival location and lineup, go to www.centralmusicfest.com. Festival news can also be followed on Twitter @centralmusicfes.
Tickets for both days are $75 for adults, or $65 for students and seniors from the Black Knight Ticket Centre or Valhalla Pure Outfitters. Children under 13 get in free with an adult. Day passes are $50 for adults, seniors and students at the gate.
lmichelin@www.reddeeradvocate.com