Eldon's Cowboy Newswire

Canadian Sage

Eldon Blanchard

Canadian Cowboy Country Magazine
January/March 2003 Issue, Tuning in by Hugh McLennan

It was during an open mike session at the Kamloops Cowboy Festival last year that I first heard Eldon Blanchard. I didn't know who we was but I sure liked the songs he was singing. Eldon's first CD effort is just out and it contains nine of his own composition. The arrangements are tasteful and the instrumentation is fairly extensive. The acoustic guitar work of Moe Brown is backed up with strings, mandolin, harmonica, even some horns and a cello courtesy of Doug Perry. The four-part background vocal harmonies add to the mix.

A lot of the songs have a distinct Canadian flavour with the lyrics describing happenings in Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. Canadian Freedom as an unabashed patriotic look at what we sometimes take for granted too often, while The Ballad of the Wild McLeans chronicles the same group that Ian Tyson's Four Rode By covers. A part of the Canadian West that shows its wild side and takes us through the events that led to the death of Constable John Usher is featured in The Sage of the Nicola Valley. Along with Eldon's Canadian originals he's included the often recorded Night Rider's Lament by Michael Burton and The Strawberry Roan, based on Curly Fletcher's epic poem. Later set to music. Some of the tracks are a bit long for radio play, but the disk makes for good listening in the pick-up. My favourite track is The Bandit Billy Miner.

Blanchard to sing for country radio event

Kamloops Daily news
May 11, 2004

Cowboy musican Eldon Blanchard is Nashville-bound but not before he tips his hat musically to Kamloops.

The singer/songwriter will perform tonight at Cactus Jack's Saloon during a gathering to chart a course for proposed new country radio station.

Blanchard is putting his farrier business on hold and , with his debut CD in hand, taking his music to the capital of country music.

"I would like to see if I can make a living with a guitar," he says.

"I've got to get a feel for things down there and play every venue I've got a chance to."

A collection of original tunes, several based on local heritage themes (The Bandit Billy Miner, The Ballad of the Wild Mclean Gang). Blanchard's Canadian Sagebrush was released 18 months ago.

The Kamloops Country Radio Society plans to elect a board of directors and plot strategy at tonight's event, which begins at 7:30pm.

Eldon Blanchard at the Rodeo

Comox Valley Record

BOOING Eldon Blanchard goes for a wild ride aboard Fester at the Comox Valley Rodeo Saturday. Dispite attempts to fool the public into believing the rodeo was cancelled organizers reported record crowds for the anual event.

Photo by Gerry Fairbrother

100 Mile House Rodeo

100 Mile House Rode
May 1998

It was a rough ride for Eldon Blanchard. He was assigned to the horse Knock Knock and he knew he was in for some trouble. But Eldon hung in there and came out with a strong second place finish!

He's gone Country —in Nashville

Kamloops This Week
Friday, May 14, 2004

Kamloops' own Eldon Blanchard heads off to Nashville within the week, and Tuesday saw him sent of in fine form.

Blanchard's first CD release party was held at Cactus Jack's Saloon, giving Kamloops residents what could be their final taste before he hits the big time.

Though the 27-year-old's been singing since he was 13, the idea of heading to the home of country came to him recently.

"I may as well do it now and not wonder what would have happened if I had tried."

Blanchard has been a regular in Kamloops nightclubs and pubs, taking the stage at venues such as Tumbleweeds Pub, Cactus Jack's, Alexander's Pub in Westsyde and more.

When he's not writing and performing, Blanchard makes his living the only way a true cowboy can.

He's worked ranches since he left home at 14 and for the past five years he's been shoeing horses full-time and rodeoing.

These are the experiences he brings to his songwriting.

"The whole sound and lyrics are Canadiana roots. It has a country sound but it's not traditional. It's mostly about my life and cowboying."

Blanchard's debut album Canadian Sage can be picked up at Cactus Jack's, The Horse Barn, Back Porch Music, The Grind, and at the Kamloops Heritage Railway Station.

Musical wish comes true

Kamloops This Week
Friday, May 21, 2004

Larry Foss has been listening to Merle Haggard for four Decades.

Monday he got to hang out with him.

Foss runs BX Stagecoach Company, the crew responsible for putting on all the Billy Minor shows on the 2141 heritage steam train. About a month ago, Foss got in touch with the management of Haggard's tour.

Monday evening, he and his crew picked up The Hag in the BX stagecoach and took him for a guided tour of the city — cowboy poetry included.

"Afterwards, he invited us all in for dinner."

Dinner consisted of a five course meal prepared and served in the lower concourse of Sport Mart Place.

He passed backstage passes, T-shirts, and CDs to Foss and his crew. Foss's pal and local country musician Eldon Blanchard was able to hand Haggard his own CD.

2004 Kamloops Cowboy Festival

Kamloops, British Columbia
May 11 - 14, 2004

This year marked the Eighth Annual Kamloops Cowboy Festival. The BC Cowboy Heritage Society presents this event to preserve authentic cow boy heritage and music. Eldon appreicates all the new fans and friends he met at this event.