Grammy-nominated country music artist Steven Lee Olsen is bringing his passion for music and storytelling to Greater Victoria this January. Known for his songwriting successes, including hits like “Blue Ain’t Your Color” by Keith Urban and “More Girls Like You” by Kip Moore, Olsen’s musical journey has captivated fans worldwide with over 80 million global streams.
Olsen will perform at Sidney’s Mary Winspear Centre on January 16, following a tour-opening show at the Waverley in Cumberland the night before. The tour marks a major milestone for the country music sensation, who will travel across Canada from Victoria to Halifax, playing 40 shows before March.
Music has been a constant in Olsen’s life, even growing up in a family with limited means. “We didn’t have a lot of money, but we could always play music and have joy,” he recalls. His deep connection to country music was forged early on when he started listening to the lyrics and writing his own songs. “Country has always been part of who I am,” he says.
Olsen initially made a name for himself as a sought-after songwriter, crafting chart-topping hits for country legends like Garth Brooks and Dallas Smith. But in 2019, he stepped into the spotlight as a solo artist, earning recognition with multiple Top-10 singles and a debut performance on the Grand Ole Opry stage.
His love for performing was inherited from his mother, a singer who toured until she had children. “I knew that I had to perform as well,” Olsen reflects. That drive led him to Nashville, where, at a young age, he pursued his dreams without a backup plan. “I had no plan B,” he admits. “The goal wasn’t to become famous, but to write songs and surround myself with people who believed in me.”
Olsen’s Canadian tour promises to be an endurance challenge, but he’s eager for the experience. “I’m going to have 40 shows in the bag before March,” he says, noting the difficulty of being away from his family. “But the energy I get from the audience makes the whole experience more fun than I’ve ever had in the business.”
Tickets for his upcoming shows are available online.
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