zz – 2024 Early Morning Rain: The Legend of Gordon Lightfoot

Early Morning Rain: The Legend of Gordon Lightfoot lands in Hamilton at the The McIntyre Performing Arts Centre celebrating the life and songs of this legend with a musical party that will thrill fans.

Leisa Way & The Wayward Wind Band take us on a musical journey through the remarkable life and career of this Canadian folk-rock legend. An all-star Canadian ensemble of award-winning musicians, under the musical direction of Bruce Ley, (composer of the Academy Award nominated film, The Painted Door),capture the magic of Lightfoot's live performances in this two-hour celebration, with fascinating stories, facts and anecdotes that pay homage to this iconic Canadian singer-songwriter, Leisa Way and her band were on the cover on International Musician Magazine in 2023.This was the year they debuted this new concert on the very stage named after Gord in his hometown of Orillia. The opening of this concert happened to fall on the day before the memorial service honouring Gord’s life the very week he passed away. Providence? No doubt. Gord’s presence was felt in the hall that night.

In his memory, Leisa and her band have now performed over 50 sold-out concerts of Early Morning Rain, celebrating Gord’s life with fans all over Canada. This impeccably staged concert includes a 5-piece band and all-star lineup including Canada's Song bird Leisa Way (Toronto's Musician of the Year), Jack Gaughanon guitars & vocals, tba on bass & vocals. Don Reidon drums &vocals (Pauly & the Goodfellas, Orchestra London),and Bruce Leyon piano & vocals (Tommy Hunter Show/Dolly Parton/Chet Baker/Brenda Lee etc, etc.). This group of seasoned performers, along with up and coming rising star, flatpicking guitarist& vocalist, Brant Garratt (Duke St. Turn around),raise the roof on every stage they grace.

This superb concert includes hits like “Early Morning Rain,” “If You Could Read My Mind,” “Carefree Highway,” “Sundown,” “For Lovin’ Me,” “Canadian Railroad Trilogy,” “Ribbon of Darkness,” and “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald”, just to name a few.

Lightfoot recorded 20 albums, had5 Grammy nominations, 17 Juno Awards, earned sixteen number ones, eighteen top 10s and twenty-one top 40 hits. Other great artists who have recorded his songs include Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, The Grateful Dead, Blue Rodeo, Johnny Cash, Eric Clapton, Neil Young, Sarah McLachlin, Harry Belafonte, Judy Collins, Barbra Streisand, Peter Paul & Mary, and Toby Keith. In 2012, Lightfoot’s legacy was further enhanced when he was inducted into the Song writers Hall of Fame, and decorated with the Governor’s General Award and the Companion to the Order of Canada Honor of Merit. In 2019, a documentary of his life was made, “If You Could Read My Mind”.

Gordon Lightfoot is a national treasure and was a legend in his own lifetime.

“What makes this performance special is the storytelling and the great connection these musicians have to the music, and to their audience,” says show creator Leisa Way. “They love the music, they love Gord, and they perform these tunes from the heart. Audiences naturally respond with standing ovations and the best part is hearing the audience sing along to every song."

Way has created 12 hugely successful concerts, including Sweet Dreams (Patsy Cline),Country Jukebox (duets),Across the Pond (The British Invasion), Rock n’ Roll is Here To Stay, Rhinestone Cowgirl (Dolly Parton),Opry Gold, and Oh, Canada, which thrilled audiences across the countryona44-city Canada 150 touring 2017. Take a trip down memory lane, and join Leisa Way and The Wayward Wind Band for this magnificent night of greatest hits from Canada’s favourite troubadour, Canada’s own, Gordon Lightfoot.