Christmas Magic Coming To Cultural Centre
Jeffrey Straker - A Very Prairie Christmas
Moose Jaw Cultural Centre December 7 - 7:30 PM
Tickets at the Cultural Centre Box Office or on-line by clicking here.
1. Where did you grow up and how did you get involved in music?
I grew up in Punnichy SK (population 300). My mom put myself and my siblings into piano lessons when we were all 5 or 6 with a great local teacher - Vicky Young. We were really lucky to have her there in town.
2. Who was your inspiration to become a musician?
I think my mom was really; she was the one playing the piano in the house. She could play by ear and by note - such a talented musician.
3. When did you know you wanted to be a musician for a living?
I studied classical piano for 13 years - all through high school and for 1 year after as well. I did a science degree following that and changed the channel in a sense and moved to Toronto for work. It was in Toronto when I really engaged with the local singer-songwriter scene and in that a little flame was ignited around this idea of being a full time musician earning a living this way. I've said many times: you don't pick music as a living - it picks you.
4. You have performed with a symphony orchestra how does this make you feel?
I've had a chance to perform twice with the full Regina Symphony at the Conexus Arts Centre, twice with the Saskatoon Symphony at TCU Place and once with the Sudbury Symphony, as well as a youth orchestra in Mexico. I love doing these types of shows. First of all the sound is incredible but there's also this amazing satisfaction of having all those musicians coming together to make a unified sound. It's incredible team work.
5. What did it take to become one of the most well known musicians in the province?
Two things pop to mind here: 1) persistence, 2) thick skin.
You can't quit and you have to believe you have something to offer. Also, I only do this because I love it. If I were looking to make money...I'd clearly do something else like be an investment banker lol.
As a musician (like any artist) you're making something from your feelings. Not everyone is going to like or agree with your feelings or what you do with them. Many will come along for the ride with you, but some just won't and you have to be cool with that. You find the people who like what you do and you take that energy and work with it. In this business, for every "yes" you're going to hear you'll first hear 99 "no's". You can't let that chip away at you.
I'll never forget running into Sylvia Tyson at a music event 15 years ago when I was starting and asking her for some advice and she said "Honestly, just stick with it. Most people are unable to deal with all the rejection". She was right. I get great joy out of what I do and honestly can't imagine doing anything else. I think that plays a big role for me in that I don't have a plan B nor have I contemplated one. Some would call that crazy, & some would call that conviction. It's likely somewhere between the two.
6. Can you tell us about your music what type of musician would you describe yourself as?
Singer-songwriter-pianist. Folk-Roots.
7. Right now you are set to go on a provincial your with your Christmas show how important is it to travel and perform throughout the province?
I love performing around Saskatchewan; audiences here are really amazing. 10 years ago I was doing really small shows for like 15-20 people so it's a sweet treat now to be able to play for between 400-700 in the theatres on this tour.
8. Can you tell us about what your show is going to entail?
This show is classic & contemporary Christmas songs, and some sacred ones too. I'll also be doing some of my original songs in the sets and I'll weave it together with some stories. I'm bringing along a full band including my sister singing harmonies. It's an unusual for me because 99% of the time I'm just performing all of my own original songs.
9. Have you thought about writing your own Christmas classic song?
I have one Christmas song I've written and released it in 2013. It's called "Comin Home for Christmas" and I'll sing it in this show. Songwriters don't get to decide if their song will be a classic though - listeners decide that :-)
10. As I looked at your music people have told me that you are the nicest person in show business, even nicer than Rory Allen, can you tell me how is it possible to make a living in the music business be nice in a world where they say nice guys finish last? Do you think your rural roots has something to do with this?
I'm glad you've heard good things !
My rural roots are a huge part of me and my personality. Growing up in the rural prairies you learn some lessons: 1) this place is small and if you do something awful everyone will hear about it. 2) honesty always wins because if you lie a lot you lose track of them and everyone catches on, and then....see point #1....! lol So: stick to the truth.
Like any business, the music business (on the business side of it) is full of charlatans. That is, people who are drawn to work in the business but really don't know what they're doing. Don't get mad at them, rather, run from them! I was told that very early on and it's been some of the greatest advice I've received. It helps keep you sane and happy.