Ian Tyson tribute show set for Medicine Hat's Monarch Theatre Sept. 17
A touring production featuring musicians who worked with the late Canadian songwriter will bring more than two dozen of his songs to the newly renovated venue.
The Gift: The Words & Music of Ian Tyson will be performed at Medicine Hat's Monarch Theatre on Sept. 17, celebrating the career of the late Canadian songwriter, who died in December 2022 after more than six decades in music. Tyson's songs, often inspired by western landscapes and stories, became staples of Canadian folk, country and western music.
The show is led by pianist and singer Stewart MacDougall alongside musicians with more than 60 years of combined experience performing and recording with Tyson. The setlist includes well-known tracks such as "Someday Soon," "Summer Wages," "Alberta's Child," "Navajo Rug," "Four Strong Winds" and "Some Kind of Fool," along with lesser-known songs like "Cowboy Pride," "MC Horses," "Casey Tibbs," "Elko Blues" and "The Gift."
Organizers say Tyson himself supported the project and joined the musicians on stage several times before his death. The production has previously appeared at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival, Big Valley Jamboree and Dauphin's Countryfest.
The performance begins at 7 p.m. with doors opening at 6 p.m., and tickets are available through tixx.ca. It follows the Monarch Theatre's reopening on Aug. 22 after a summer renovation that included backstage and accessibility upgrades.
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