Canadian folk music icon Valdy, who enjoyed heavy rotation on radio across the country through the 1970s, is returning to Newfoundland and Labrador for a tour of the province’s Arts and Culture Centres.
Valdy, now 81, famously lived in Placentia Bay during the height of his career, and says he’s looking forward to making contact with old friends.
He jokes that he’s calling everyone in his phone book to see how they’re doing.
“Mind you, that was some years ago, so some of them have moved on, or just left the planet entirely. We’ll find out.”
Valdy was still touring regularly before the pandemic, and is starting to return to more frequent live shows. He says his attitudes have softened over the years and he finds his relationship with the audience has as well, as they mature together.
“I may have been a little off-handed or a little loose in the early years and now I’m paying closer attention to the setlist and to being warmed up for the gig and just being on.”
Valdy plays the St. John’s Arts and Culture tonight, with shows scheduled for Gander tomorrow, Grad Falls-Windsor on Sunday, Corner Brook on the 19th and Stephenville on Sept. 20.