Blackie & the Rodeo Kings
West End Cultural Centre
March 5, 2007

The show was opened by local legend, Greg Leskiw and his combo, The One Eyed Jacks.

This was the first chance for the boys to show off their new Nudie suits. They were quite proud of them, and apparently they cost a lot. For the record, they'd been worn during their previous performance in the Yukon, but they were playing outdoors in a tent, so they were covered up by coats. This was the first time people really got to see them, and they looked spectacular.

The highlight of this show was the unplugged acoustic set the boys did right down in the front row (right over my left shoulder) about half way through the show. I saw the space there and figured that might be what would happen, but I thought for maybe an encore or something. I had no idea they'd come down there and play a few songs so soon. Tom Wilson kept apologizing to me for turning his back to me and for my bad vantage point, etc., but I couldn't possibly have been more thrilled. They did an absolutely stellar version of The Band's amazing song "Acadian Driftwood." I wouldn't have cared if Wilson was standing on my foot the whole time; it was truly a magical moment.