Stampeders’ outdoor concert may be first of many

He’s making the proposition even more enticing by keeping tickets prices low.

He may be right. One woman who has fond memories of the Stampeders’ performance at Digby Regional High School in 1969 says a number of her classmates are planning a reunion at this year’s concert, which comes during Scallop Days.

The Stampeders, who made a name for themselves as one of Canada’s top rock bands, were in their early days of touring in 1969 when they performed in Digby. In 1971 they copped four Junos and their song ‘Sweet City Woman’ was an international hit.

Other Stampeders hits included ‘Devil You’, and ‘Carry Me, both written by Rich Dodson, who has since been inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.

By 1980 the trio—Rich Dodson, Kim Berly and Ronnie King—were going their separate ways, but in 1992 they re-united at the Calgary Stampede, and have been touring regularly since then. This year will see them performing in eight of the 10 provinces.

Hattie, who has owned the Sunset Pub for the past nine years, and has organized other events, sees the Stampeders’ show as the first of many outdoor concerts. He says he has had promoters look at his property. Just beyond the parking lot, where this year’s concert will take place, is a natural amphitheatre bordered by the Annapolis Basin. He’s been told the property can easily accommodate more than 8,000 people.

Further along the shoreline there’s a stretch of land that looks like it’s been tailor made for camping, and just beyond that, a sandy beach.

For now, Hattie is concentrating on preparations for the Stampeders’ concert. He’ll be erecting a stage and a steel fence a few days prior to the performance, and is bringing in a production company from New Brunswick to take care of lighting and sound. The site will be fully licensed and parking will be available nearby at Guy’s Frenchies.