Ain't No Rodeo demos their country groove

When you spend the day interviewing entertainers with a polished message that smacks of repetition and boredom, it’s refreshing to talk to someone like country singer Darcy Hjelsvold.

The Morinville based singer-songwriter has an upfront knack for shooting straight and telling it like it is.

He’s back in the news as Ain’t No Rodeo is revving up its high-wattage country vibe for Morinville Community Cultural Centre’s dinner and concert finale on Sunday, April 25.

“It’s a beautiful, big stage with a crisp, gorgeous sound. There’s a real professional feel to the place from the green rooms to the onstage equipment,” said Hjelsvold.

He shot to national prominence as a CMT Karaoke Star 2008 competitor. Although he didn’t win, it gave him the confidence to release Blue Collar Dream, a three-song EP, and launch Ain’t No Rodeo, a four-piece with old school buddies he’s known since Grade 4.

The EP was a reflection of his “redneck” life – a happily married man raising three kids with an expanding music career and a group of close friends by his side.

Lead guitar Matt Budd, bassist Mike Hittinger and drummer Mitch Crush are the other three influential band members that have also made Ain’t No Rodeo a favourite at festivals and rodeos.

Primarily a cover band, the foursome cranks out numerous hit-makers ranging from Bryan Adams, James Aldean and Dwight Yoakam to Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Mavericks and Waylon Jennings.

“We try to push the envelope with styles we might not be comfortable with, but they always turn into an Ain’t No Rodeo song, a little faster, more hard-driving and a little more honky-tonk,” Hjelsvold said.

Not only does Ain’t No Rodeo push an energetic groove, but the four Morinville Community High School alumni go back so far there are no false pretences. Egos are parked at the door.

“It’s comforting to play with your best friends. You know each other 100 per cent. When we’re on stage, we can turn around, look at each other and know exactly what the others will do. I think that’s a huge boon – to have that ability.”

And it’s precisely that family friendly energy that audiences connect with.

“People want to hear and believe in something real and local. Lots of times you don’t get a chance to hear local music on the radio because of the politics behind it. There’s no million-dollar machine behind us. There’s just heart and soul. Give us a stage, some power and we’ll do the rest.”