The Arden Theatre is set to host Alberta’s Front Porch Roots Revue (FPRR) on Friday, October 11, as they present “Up on Cripple Creek: The Music of The Band, Bob Dylan, and The Byrds.” This four-member ensemble promises a night of legendary tunes that will captivate the audience.
The group features accomplished musicians: Ron Rault on bass and vocals, guitarist and vocalist Gordie Matthews, harmonica player Dave “Crawdad” Cantera, and drummer Thom Moon. Together, they bring a wealth of experience from working with renowned artists such as k.d. lang, Powder Blues Band, Gord Bamford, and the late Ian Tyson. Matthews, a former St. Albert resident, recently graced national television at the Canadian Country Music Awards, performing alongside k.d. lang as part of The Reclines. Reflecting on the experience, he said, “Being at the CCMAs was surreal. It’s been 30-some years since I stood on the stage with her. It was a pretty exciting moment.”
Joining FPRR for this special event is John York, a former member of The Byrds. Though he spent only a year with the iconic band, York’s contributions include bass playing and vocals on two studio albums: Dr. Byrds & Mr. Hyde and Ballad of Easy Rider, as well as the non-album single “Lay Lady Lay.”
Audiences can expect a thoughtfully curated selection of songs, featuring classics from The Band such as “Ophelia,” “The Shape I’m In,” and “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,” alongside notable tracks from Bob Dylan and The Byrds. FPRR producer Peter North emphasized the intricate nature of the songs chosen for the performance, stating that they require skilled musicianship and collaboration.
Matthews, who has been with FPRR for over a decade, describes the music of The Band as comparable to rock legends like Steppenwolf and Creedence Clearwater Revival. “You still hear them on the radio. It’s roots music—country blues and rock, but it’s ’70s rock—not heavy. In some ways, The Band sounded like a ’70s rock band playing country,” he explained. “There have been many versions of songs done. For example, everybody did Dylan. We’re emulating the original record. We try to recreate the music and the sound of the day.”
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