Jimmy Rankin is bringing his easygoing eastern sounds from the Maritimes to Canada鈥檚 west at Fort 91原创鈥檚 Chief Sepass Theatre, Oct. 17.
The country-folk artist was born and raised in Nova Scotia, a place he said that has always influenced his work.
鈥淭he tour is called Songs from Route 19, which is a name taken from a stretch of highway on the west coast of Cape Breton,鈥 Rankin said. 鈥淭here are a lot of inspiring songs and stories from that part of the world, and a lot of the music on this tour is from my last album Moving East.鈥
Move East is exactly what Rankin just did; the Canadian musician returned home to Nova Scotia after living in Nashville, Tennessee for the past seven years.
鈥淧eople are people everywhere you go, but the United States is a totally different country; I loved it there and have been going for many years, but I didn鈥檛 intend to stay. It was time to come back to Canada, get reacquainted with where I grew up,鈥 Rankin said.
The Juno award winning musician has recorded seven albums and is best known for a bevy of national hits including the 2001 single 鈥淔ollowed Her Around鈥 and 鈥淐ool Car鈥漣n 2014.
Before his solo career, the Rankin Family band, of which he was the lead vocalist, achieved international acclaim with tours showcasing highland sounds.
Yet, in all that time, Rankin said he never fully cut a record in his home province. Moving East changed that for him as he explained that 2018 album was meant to celebrate everything to do with his roots.
Starting this past July, Rankin kicked off the cross-country tour, working his way west with the bulk of performances taking place in October.
Read More: A beach night in Fort 91原创
鈥淓ach province has its own personality with fans going back to the Rankin Family days,鈥 he said. 鈥淧eople still respond to these songs.鈥
Four of those tour dates are in B.C., a time Rankin said he is very much looking forward to.
鈥淵ou try and get out as much as you can and we鈥檒l see a bit of B.C. It鈥檚 a beautiful province, you got everything鈥 the weather鈥 the mountains鈥 the rivers. I鈥檝e not spent a lot of time there, but I鈥檓 very excited. I love that province,鈥 Rankin said.
Fort 91原创 is his furthest concert date west on the mainland before jumping over to Vancouver Island. When asked about the last time he came through town, Rankin couldn鈥檛 quite recall.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been a while, but when I get there, I鈥檒l remember,鈥 he assured.
Beyond music from Moving East, Rankin said songs from his solo career, the Rankin family catalogue, and plenty of story-telling will all be part of the evening.
鈥滻 always want to get people involved with the show,鈥 Rankin stressed.
People can find tickets at and find out more about the musician at .
Doors open at 7:30 and the show starts at 8 p.m., 9096 Trattle Street.
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Email: ryan.uytdewilligen@langleyadvancetimes.com
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