Marking a relatively new powerhouse collaboration, Mike Szabo and the Heartbroke Heroes perform at Lacombe's Music in the Park on Aug. 21.
Presented by the Lacombe Performing Arts Society, shows in the series start at 6:30 p.m. on the Lacombe Memorial Centre's Echo Stage.
Rounding out the band are Morgan McKee (keyboards/harmony, Jeremy Doody (lead guitar), and Rob Goodwin (drums). Bassist/vocalist Curtis Phagoo is part of the regular line-up, but filling in for this show will be Denis Boisvert.
Szabo and the Heroes joined forces earlier this year.
Music was always something of a passion for Szabo, but it didn't become the focus it is today until not too many years ago. But his output and creative edge have flourished ever since, and these days he's at home on stage connecting with audiences across the region.
"It doesn't feel like just my journey anymore. It feel like there are so many other people involved."
As mentioned, a new journey was launched with Szabo teaming up with long-time Red Deer band the Heartbroke Heroes, which included Szabo's longtime friend Curtis Phagoo.
"The journey with Curtis has almost been right from the get-go," recalled Szabo. "When I first started going to open mics in 2017, one of the first ones I went to was at the International Beer Haus (in Red Deer)."
Phagoo was one of the folks who performed that evening, and then a few months later, Szabo was back at the same venue for a Behind the Grind singer/songwriter tour that Phagoo had put together. The two became friends, and also started to explore new musical territory together. The timing was perfect for Szabo with his desire to truly define himself musically, too. They started to record some of Szabo's material, including 2023's Rolling Home EP.
"We have shared a connection as songwriters, and finding what that journey is all about," said Szabo.
"And along the way, some of the musicians he had played with in the Heartbroke Heroes stated to become (my) studio musicians with the EP. SoI I've got these four absolutely incredible musicians that have offered their support to me and my songs.
"So that is how all of this came about. It was very natural. Nothing was forced - it just seemed to come along when it was supposed to."
Ultimately, it's all very much a dream come true for Szabo, who isn't afraid to shift and grow as an artist, and whose appreciation for the magic of collaboration is at the heart of so much of his work, too.
"I absolutely have to tip my hat to everyone who has kind of pushed me along. And it starts with my wife Katy Grant who has been my biggest fan. The poor girl has sat tirelessly listening to me for hours on end through COVID," he added with a laugh. "She was right there with me."
And of course Phagoo has had a huge role to play since those early days as well..
"He's been with me for this whole songwriting journey - right from the very first one" he said. "There are so many things that connect us - obviously the songwriting. We talk about our kids, our friends, about ourselves."
And at the end of the day, for Szabo, it's all about the music. It's been a passion since he was a boy - he recalls singing songs around the campfire as a cub scout. And over the years, there have been so many artists he has admired and been influenced by as his own authentic, folk/rock/country-tinged style has take shape. But really, there is no 'pigeon-holing' this guy - he's comfortable in a range of genres and stylistic blends..
And as he pointed out, music also have something of a timeless quality to it. Its power really never fades.
"It comes down to the songs, and the songwriting. Recently I found a song by one of my heroes - Jackson Brown. I was thinking how he is still writing this killer songs! And then I found out he had actually written it when he was about 23!
"So 50 years later, I discover this song and it absolutely gutted me. I hope that one day, one of my songs would do that."
Rounding out this season of Music in the Park will be Tap 9 on Aug. 28.
