Known as the Contenders, Valdy and Gary Fjellgard return to the Shuswap at 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8 at Carlin Hall.
“Primarily, we like to come back because it’s the Shuswap and we have pals we like to visit,” says Valdy, who notes good friends Kelly and Blu Hopkins will open the show.
Valdy says, after 11 years, the tour has not only gained momentum, but has become a valuable tradition.
“We don’t have a lot of traditions except what would be commercial. As religion is leaking out of society, traditions are being missed entirely,” he says. “I like to put cultural traditions back into life. My life is not normal but having done this for so many years, it’s one of the anchors in my year and I look forward to it as such.”
Valdy says that while he still tours the country, his only regular trail is through the Okanagan and Shuswap.
And one of his favourite aspects of appearing at Carlin Hall is renewing ties with the Hopkins and hearing their music.
“They’re wonderful people and good singers,” he says. “They’re traditional in what they do.”
Breaking away from tradition himself, Valdy announces with a laugh that he has a new album he deems “weird, but pretty good.”
“It’s weird because it’s all over the map, but true folk music,” he says.
The Contenders’ annual appearance is in support of George Ryga Week, as proclaimed by the provincial government and produced by Ken Smedley.
Asked why he supports Ryga, Valdy says he was a pivotal character in musical history.
“He represented the disenfranchised, the people who didn’t have a shot at it,” he says. “He was a social activist and I like to put him up the flagpole and encourage people to be activists.”
Tickets are available at Acorn Music.