Canadian blues/country rockers Blackie & The Rodeo Kings perform at The Esplanade on Monday night.--NEWS PHOTO IAN SORENSEN

LAURIER TRIPP
Special to the News
Blackie and the Rodeo Kings dazzled Medicine Hat with their spectacular brand of roots music and rocking royal sound Monday at the Esplanade.
The stage was amply set with beautiful guitars, a dobro, bass and gold-bronze drum kit.
Hamilton band Harlan Pepper warmed up the house by introducing a rustic folk-rock sound and livening up the audience with a several great originals.
Blackie and his royal highnesses lit the stage on fire, appearing in bejeweled black sequined suits. Tom Wilson let out his amazing baritone with more richness than thought possible. Stephen Fearing's brilliant alto shot through the foggy air like a yellowjacket. Colin Linden's astounding tenor brightened the faces of onlookers as he belted out lyrics with his signature bravado. They played tunes written by band members as well as works they had collaborated on with such knights as Willie P. Bennett and The Band. The Juno-winning band covered many aspects of love, in the rock tradition, and a lot more.
The trio of guitars — Fearing, Linden and Wilson — was accompanied by Johnny Dymond on electric bass and Brian Owings on drums. The set list ranged from a calm, smooth song about making problems fade away to vibrant, frolicking numbers to a melodic, mellow piece that urged a stand against abusing women. They played a few songs from previous albums but a wide selection from last year's release, Kings and Queens.
The band members really enjoyed themselves and delivered up their talent. Halfway through the concert, as Fearing and Linden switched out their instruments, Wilson couldn't hold back a torrent of compliments to Hatters on their fabulous Esplanade Arts and Heritage Centre. It took Blackie and the Rodeo Kings 17 years to finally reach the Hat, he said, but he promised they'd return with more music.
The Esplanade had its socks rocked right off by the amazing band that is Blackie and the Rodeo Kings and up-and-coming folk-rock stars, Harlan Pepper.