Back to the well

By Will Colford, SnowSeekers Inc.

Up to his knees in muck, award-winning country musician, Corb Lund and his buddies realized they weren’t getting their truck unstuck for some time. Frustrated and tired of pushing and digging, Lund took out his guitar and wrote the country music radio hit, Truck Stuck in the Mud. Unlike the mainstream Nashville style of country, Truck Stuck in the Mud was written in the underground country-style known as the cowboy ballad. Simply put, these are stories that stem from real life experiences, people, and places. 

“I didn’t really know any better, right from the start I just wrote songs about my experiences. The style is very personal.” As such, Lund’s listeners are able to find a relatable quality in his songs that speak to their own experiences, especially here in Alberta. 

Lund has played all over the world singing about the experiences of his hometown, Taber Alberta. And now things have come full circle as he is playing two sets on this leg of the Olympic Torch Relay in the town where his music stems. As we walk through the crowd to a quieter space, Corb seems to be on a first name basis with practically everyone we pass. In fact, before we can even begin, he has to go quickly check on his Mom. Local Harley Phillips notes, “Nice part about Corb is he hasn’t forgot his grass roots.” 

“My Folks still farm south side of town. I grew up in that one and only house,” says Corb. Whether he’s singing about his brother the tool push, the wisdom of his grandfather, or the critters on his ranch, Corb is singing about home and the people he knows there.

Make sure to catch the Travel Alberta Olympic Torch Relay videos on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/TravelAlbertaCanada