PLAIN FOLK

by Les Pearson
Chiropractor’s Songwriting Career Is Balanced and Aligned!

How many of Dr. Gary Bourdon’s patients would guess? The chiropractor who massages and manipulates their aches into order is a singer-songwriter. He writes songs about love, family, and caring. Not surprisingly, his songs are small prescriptions for restoring and maintaining healthy, balanced, relationships.

Bourdon used to be one of Medicine Hat’s hidden talents. Hidden, that is, until Phyllis Sinclair and the Folk Music Club initiated Songwriter Nights at Café Caprice. It was something Phyllis had written in a Plain Folk column that caught Bourdon’s eye. Something about the courage to perform your own songs.

In our interview he recalled thinking, “Oh no, this is the moment of truth. I have to decide.” With only some hesitation, he did. He arrived at Café Caprice for the next Songwriters Night. But he was greeted by this sign. “Registered performers only—sold out!”

Even though there was a full slate of performers, a gracious Phyllis Sinclair worked Bourdon in for one song at the end of the evening.

He admits, “Frankly, I wasn’t in the best practice at the time. It takes time to get the calluses in place.” And he turns up his hand to show newly toughened fingertips.

The accolades that followed this first Medicine Hat performance was reinforcement with echoes from his childhood. Tilting his head whimsically, Bourdon reflects on the way life’s path takes strange turns.

“I had music throughout my early years and all of a sudden I started writing songs and people seemed to like them. So I wondered about a career in music. But, mind you, I had already decided at the age of 13 that I wanted to be a chiropractor.”

Bourdon’s music path followed his parent. “My mother played piano and sang beautifully.” He completed Grade Nine Conservatory piano in grade eight. But then came the kink in his music career. A serious leg fracture resulted in a cast that kept him from the piano. Call it destiny.

Gary purchased his first guitar, an Echo semi-acoustic, and taught himself to play. He learned chords from a book. But he is a self-taught finger picker. He learned the technique to break the habit of composing same-sounding songs. It worked!

Following his first public show at age 17 or 18, people asked when he was going to record. They still ask. He has 30 original songs and has serious plans to record in the next six months.

On June 10, the Doctor will be “in” at Café Caprice. This is his first solo show. Plan now to enjoy Dr. Gary Bourdon’s painless vocal therapy! Rates are reasonable and no appointments needed.

And while you are planning, Johnny Eden is a rising blues, funk, jazz songwriter. Johnny plays Café Caprice in a concert co-sponsored by the Folk Club on Monday evening, May 29. Eden is a nomadic modern troubadour with gritty real songs and a passion to share. You will regret missing either event!