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Vancouver may be at the western end of the Canadian West, but finding quality country music within the city limits may be harder than scoring front-row tickets to a Garth Brooks concert.
But that hasn’t stopped Vancouver-based Blue Shadows from carving out a country niche.
Playing everywhere from fair stages in agriculture country to Vancouver’s hippest clubs, the Shadows have managed to pull off one of the biggest coups in country music: Crossover.
Led by former Cowsills vocalist Billy Cowsill and co-writer Jeff Hatcher, the band makes Hank William’s bare country soul with a fab-four backbeat.
They’ve managed to steer clear of gutbucket twang and still remain faithful to the elements of country clean acoustic guitar, an even beat and just enough heartbreak to let you shed a tear in the privacy of your pickup.
The group was formed after Cowsill and Hatcher were introduced in 1992 and realized they were a perfect team. Not only are they both born songwriters, but their voices dovetail with Everly Brothers’ ease. Together with bass player Barry Muir and drummer J.B. Johnson, the band brings back memories of cherry-red Mustangs and the first taste of Burroughs.
Their debut album, On the Floor of Heave, was released in January and so far they’ve sold more than 15,000 units.
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