Canadian country singer Aaron Pritchett is pleased as punch to perform with his son, musician Jason Pritchett, in the Outlaws and Outsiders Tour of Alberta.
But Pa Pritchett is either too modest or too honest to take credit for passing musical talent down a generation.
Jason, the 24-year-old of the new duo Cash & King and formerly with Faber Drive, started playing the guitar as a teenager. “He learned on his own while I was on the road — and he’s a much better player than I am,” said Aaron, 44.
“He’s a real lead guitar player — he’s amazing. He sure doesn’t get his talent from me.”
The two generations of Pritchetts, along with Jason’s Cash & King partner Dan Arnold and country/rock singer Cory Marquardt, will perform on Saturday, Jan. 24, at Cowboys in Red Deer.
The Canadian Country Music Association Award-winning star Aaron Pritchett is the veteran of the group, and can be counted on to draw fans.
After all, the B.C.-born singer has toured with Alan Jackson, Toby Keith and Brooks & Dunn, and is known for the hits Hold My Beer, Let’s Get Rowdy, Boat on The Water and many others.
His radio-charting tunes have amassed to the point that he’s planning to put our a greatest hits album by this summer.
Looking back at a recording career that’s included Big Wheel, My Way and New Frontier has been an interesting experience. Pritchett the elder said, “I’m really proud of it, and proud to say I’ve had anything played over the radio.”
There was a time when the singer was trying to become an actor and not breaking any ground in Vancouver’s busy film and television industry.
Pritchett remembers going to a karaoke bar with his mother, circa 1991, and agreeing — at her urging — to sing just one song. “It was my first time singing in public and I was nervous and shaking,” he recalled. Yet he must have pulled off a memorable performance, as the bar owner later hired him to host the karaoke show for four hours each night.
“If nobody was up singing, I would have to sing the whole time — sometimes with no breaks,” said Pritchett.
The experience led to him to start a cover band, eventually co-write his own songs, and launch a solo career that has garnered several CCMA wins and nominations.
Pritchett believes he began his music career at a relatively advanced age — “I was in my early 30s when I had my first radio single and my first video. ...
“I didn’t know I’d have any of this success when I was playing in bars,” said the singer who added, “I’m very grateful for every one of my singles on radio — and now there’s been close to 20.”
Cory Marquardt grew up in North Bay, Ont., and is described as one of the more interesting new country music talents in Canada. With his powerful country voice with a rock edge, Marquardt’s musical influences span from Rush and Deep Purple to Merle Haggard and Brad Paisley. His single Smartphone is on radio and his second album is to be released early 2015.
Making their touring debut will be King & Cash, an Invictus Entertainment collaboration matching up-and-coming country singers Jordan Pritchett and Dan Arnold, who hails from Moose Jaw, Sask.
Arnold’s first two radio releases, God Bless Country Girls and The Hard Way, both charted in the Top 100. After appearing in a Calgary Stampede commercial, Arnold was approached to form the King & Cash duo, which was signed to Big Star Recordings, home of George Canyon.
Outlaws & Outsiders promises a rowdy, high-energy show. Tickets are $20 in advance from Cowboys, the Bell Fever Lounge or Wei’s Western Wear. Doors open at 8 p.m.
For more information, call 403-346-1101.
lmichelin@www.reddeeradvocate.com