An Okanagan singer-songwriter, and a Chilliwack guitarist with Bachman-Turner Overdrive, will pay tribute to the late Gordon Lightfoot at a concert next month. John Paul Byrne will take on the role of the legendary Lightfoot, and local guitarist Brent Howard Knudsen will join him onstage when If You Could Read My Mind: The Gordon Lightfoot Tribute Show comes to the Chilliwack Cultural Centre on July 10. Byrne has played sold-out shows across B.C. and Alberta and his tribute is billed as one that’s “celebrated for
its authenticity and emotional depth, drawing comparisons to Lightfoot’s original performances.” He is known for his “uncanny ability to channel Lightfoot’s rich baritone and poignant storytelling.” The performance is a “heartfelt homage” to one of Canada’s greatest musical icons and will take audiences back into the intimate concert halls of the 1970s. After hearing Byrne perform, Steffan Clements – son of the late Terry Clements, who was Lightfoot’s lead guitarist for more than 40 years – had this to say to him: “You just sang
If You Could Read My Mind better than anybody I’ve ever heard.” Byrne even met Lightfoot – who died in 2023 – more than a decade ago. “I met Gordon Meredith Lightfoot in October of 2014 at the Kelowna Community Theatre, and I was able to tell him that I thought If You Could Read My Mind was the best song ever written,” Byrne said. Joining Byrne and Knudsen at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre on July 10 will be Henry Piovesan (Vernon) on strings and
keyboard, Roy Kawano (Kelowna) on bass, and Marc LaFrance (North Vancouver) who’s a former Bachman-Turner Overdrive drummer of 17 years. Knudsen is an 18 year veteran with Bachman-Turner Overdrive and handles both electric and acoustic guitars. Although he hails from Chilliwack, he has never played in his hometown. They will perform Lightfoot pieces from beloved classics like Beautiful and Early Morning Rain to the evocative ballad The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. The ensemble will blend folk, country and rock elements highlighting the late Canadian
singer-songwriter’s distinctive sound. If You Could Read My Mind: The Gordon Lightfoot Tribute Show featuring John Paul Byrne, with special guest Chilliwack guitarist Brent Howard Knudsen, will be at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre on July 10 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets $68 and available at the box office, chilliwackculturalcentre.ca, or by calling 604-391-SHOW(7469).
Gordon Lightfoot tribute, John Paul Byrne, Brent Howard Knudsen, Chilliwack Cultural Centre, If You Could Read My Mind, Steffan Clements, Terry Clements, Bachman-Turner Overdrive
$68?? for a tribute show? I mean Gordon’s great but that seems steep.
Is this the same Lightfoot guy from Hamilton or whatever? Also why are they doing a tribute like it’s 1970s again, just play the songs live and done.
I saw something about Bachman-Turner Overdrive and thought it was gonna be BTO, not a Lightfoot thing. But I guess Brent Knudsen is in it so okay… still weird combo. The Edmund Fitzgerald song always hits though.
Not gonna lie, the part where the son said he sang it better than anyone like that sounds kinda made up? Like how can you compare “better” when it’s a tribute artist. Also they mention tickets at 7:30pm and calling some number… does the box office take Interac or cash? Either way sad Lightfoot died in 2023, but I’ll probably just stream it instead of paying.