“There would be no Blues Brothers if it weren’t for Downchild” – Dan Aykroyd

THE LEGENDARY DOWNCHILD BLUES BAND are excited to bring the HAPPY TRAILS TOUR to the Charles W. Stockey Centre for a night of hip shaking blues you don’t want to miss!!

Downchild came to international prominence as the inspiration for Hollywood stars Dan Aykroyd and the late John Belushi’s hit film, The Blues Brothers. In fact, two Downchild songs, “Shotgun Blues” and “I Got Everything I Need (Almost)” were even covered on The Blues Brothers’ 1978 multi-platinum album Briefcase Full of Blues.

Leader and co-founder, Donnie Walsh, was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2019, alongside some of the greatest songwriters of our time, like Leonard Cohen, Neil Young and Joni Mitchell.

For over 54 years, Downchild continues to be led by, Donnie “Mr. Downchild” Walsh on guitar and harmonica, singer Chuck Jackson, who also plays harmonica, tenor sax man Pat Carey, Gary Kendall on bass, drummer Jim Casson and Tyler Yarema on keyboards.

With their signature jump-blues style and infectious, soulful sound, Juno Award winners Downchild deliver a live performance that is second to none and good times guaranteed!

Tickets go on sale on Saturday September 16th at 11am to Stockey Members. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Saturday September 23rd at 11am.

To become a Stockey Member, you can visit us on our Membership page for more information and to purchase online, give us a call at 705-746-4466 extension 405, or visit us at 2 Bay Street, Parry Sound.

Tickets are $56.50 + HST.

The Legendary Downchild Blues Band are happy to announce that 2X Maple Blues Award nominee, Jeff Rogers will open their show at the Charles W. Stockey Centre as part of their Happy Trials Tour.

Canadian singer/songwriter and keyboard player Jeff Rogers’ unmistakably soulful voice often evokes weighty comparisons to the past – whether that’s Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles or even Otis Redding…. yet, his tone, range, phrasing, and sincerity, all make him unmistakably contemporary – and totally original. 

His highly anticipated new solo album Dream Job is set for release in Canada on October 27, 2023, and was recorded in the revered music mecca of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, where many of the greats including, Aretha Franklin, The Rolling Stones, Bob Seger, Etta James, Paul Simon, Otis Redding and The Black Keys, have recorded.

Hear Jeff’s first single “Lock & Key” at https://on.soundcloud.com/WSxvu

For this album, Jeff is accompanied by some legendary musicians, including Kelvin Holly (Little Richard, Bobby Bland etc.), Clayton Ivey (The Staple Sisters, Thelma Houston), Justin Holder (Keb Mo’, Delbert McClinton) and Shonna Tucker (Booker T. Jones, Drive-By-Truckers). Dream Job is co-produced by Dick Cooper of The Cooper Brothers and features special guest appearances by Grammy Award winner, Colin Linden, and Juno Award winning singer, Kellylee Evans.

Jeff won the 2020 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, with his side project, Horojo and has toured internationally.

Downchild look forward to introducing you to this fine, young, talent!

BUY TICKETS ONLINE HERE

Tickets can also be purchased during our business hours by calling our Box Office at 705-746-4466 extension 405 or visiting us at 2 Bay Street, Parry Sound.