The St. Albert music scene has always admired Aaron Goodvin’s outright spunk. Even before finishing high school, the young country singer was determined to bust into the music industry.
Fast forward seven years and Goodvin, now 25, is making Nashville his home where he’s entrenched in the business of writing songs and producing records.
But Goodvin has returned to the Great White North for six weeks to renew his visa and tomorrow he is stepping up to the microphone as the featured artist at the Songwriters Acoustic Showcase at LB’s.
“I’m really excited. I haven’t been to LB’s jams since I was 18,” laughs Goodvin. He laughs a lot, a reflection of his easy-going charm.
His last song to hit radio was With a Smile Like That recorded by Jo Hikk, a tune that aired last October for about four months. “It did pretty good for them.”
For an emerging songwriter, Goodvin has had a nice string of songs recorded by other artists. Jo Hikk released Pimp My Tractor, Mike Gouchie recorded Goodvin’s co-write with Johnny Reid titled Shattered Glass and Craig Moritz is pushing Wrong Right. And while he’s in Canada, Goodvin is hopping over to Vancouver to write with Chad Brownlee.
“Writing is my niche. I’ve started my own publishing company, the AJG Music Group. As I push my catalogue, I do some plugging for other writers.”
“The reason I got into the business was to perform. But if I can get some songs on albums in the States, then I’ll focus on the writing side of things and be the best writer I can be.”
Although the writing process lacks the performer/audience symbiosis, it’s still energizing. “When you drive down the road and you hear someone sing your song, it’s a cool feeling.”
He’s already recorded 10 tracks but it might be a while before they’re available for downloads. “I’ve seen so many things happen in this business. I just want to make sure I get the right people. It’s only a matter of time before we get the right direction, the right image and something cracks.
The showcase at LB’s Pub starts at 8:30 a.m. with house band Kenny Skoreyko (drums), Randy Forsberg (bass) and Marshall Lawrence (guitar). No cover charge.
Nine-time Grammy award winner Wynton Marsalis will play at the Winspear Centre on Tuesday, June 28 as part of the International Jazz Festival.
Marsalis is artistic director of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, which has been hailed by critics as the greatest jazz orchestra working today.
Tickets went on sale yesterday and range from $75.50 to $80.75. Call 780-428-1414 or buy online at www.winspearcentre.com.
