聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 When acclaimed singer-songwriter Jeffery Straker walks onto the stage at Graceland in Windthorst on Oct. 28, he'll be walking on familiar ground.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Jeffery notes that he has visited Windthorst before:
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淚 play at 'House Concerts' from time to time. A couple of years ago, I played at a 'House Concert' in Windthorst. So, this will be a 'return visit' for me.鈥�
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 However, the show in Windthorst will feel like a 'Homecomeing' for Jeffery for other reasons as well.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淚 grew up on a grain farm near Punnichy, SK. When I was growing up, you could see three other yard lights from our place. Things have changed since I was a kid. It sometimes seems like the family farm is gradually being replaced by 'corporate farms'. But, I still have a really strong attachment to family farms; and to the life that I knew growing up. As well, when I began doing this 9 years ago, I started out by doing shows right around Punnichy and branched out from there. So, I really like being able to come back to Saskatchewan and play in a smaller community like Windthorst. A place like Windthorst really feels like 'home' to me.鈥�
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Although Jeffery says that he does draw on his experiences growing up in Saskatchewan when writing songs; he points out that the stories contained in the songs appeal to a very broad audience.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淚f I have a narrative about a small town in one of my songs, I might explain the song a bit to my audience beforehand; especially if I'm doing a show in a larger city or another country. But generally, I find that these stories have a kind of universal appeal. They make sense no matter where you live.鈥�
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 聽Jefferey notes that the show will be the last of several Saskatchewan appearances scheduled to take place throughout October.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淭here are a series of stops that I'm going to be making throughout Saskatchewan in October. The show in Windthorst will be my final stop on this run. I'm looking forward to it. It'll be fun!鈥�
