PLAIN FOLK

by Les Pearson
Nathan Rogers Fights to Emerge From His Family’s Shadow!

Three years ago at the Winnipeg Folk Festival I taped one of my first interviews with 21-year-old Nathan Rogers. He was edgy, critical of the folk establishment, and ready to take on the world. (But that could wait until after the next party….)

In those days, he was still singing traditional ballads and many of his father’s songs. People would marvel at his voice. Everyone said it. If you closed your eyes, Nathan was Stan Rogers incarnate. But words of this similarity, spoken to Nathan, were fighting words. Nathan wanted to be appreciated for himself and not only for his famous folk father.

The only trouble with this desire was his singular lack of original songs. Oh sure, he could play six and twelve string guitar decently and his voice was resonant and full. But there was little original about the boy-man who wanted to be unique.

I encountered Nathan at Canmore nearly every year since that first encounter. Nothing changed much. Yes, there were attention-getting body piercings and off-stage pranks.

Then there was the fateful night at Canmore in 2003. He told festival organizers that Lennie Gallant could not lead the singing of the traditional closer, The Mary Ellen Carter. Nathan had inherited the rights to all of Stan’s songs and only he could lead the closing crowd chorus on the festival stage named in his father’s memory. What could anyone do? It was his (inherited) song!

Yes, Nathan knew how to make friends.

But that was then and this is now. Like most of us, Nathan has moved on. And he has done it in a fashion that would make Stan beam. Nathan’s first and original CD, True Stories, was released in 2004.

It marked a turning point in Nathan’s life. The CD lends full credibility to his claims as singer and, more importantly, songwriter.

This year, Nathan was nowhere to be seen at Canmore. He was touring somewhere and making a name for himself. Selling a CD means serious roadwork. His next fight may be a breakthrough. That is when he takes on the challenges of an all-important second recording. The make-or-break recording that will make him a hero or….

Nathan has amazing support in his corner. Amber Pelletier, his manager, has provided the discipline that Nathan needs to be considered a serious contender. He tours with Dale Brown, a great sparring partner on fiddle, mandolin, and guitar.

By all rights, Nathan should be a concert headliner. But to be a serious contender means paying his dues. For Nathan Rogers that means playing smaller venues for less money. It does not mean that he is any less talented than other folk champions.

Nathan will be the Folk Music Club’s featured, small venue, performer at Café Caprice on Saturday, November 26. There is room for thirty-something fans. Tickets will go fast.

Watch for the posters and don’t miss this “other” great folk music concert!