Canadian music icons Blue Rodeo are celebrating 40 years together with the release of Greatest Hits: Vol. 2 and the award-winning documentary Blue Rodeo: Lost Together. The album will be released March 21, you can watch the documentary free starting February 19 on CBC Gem.
Greatest Hits: Vol. 2 draws from the band’s extensive catalogue to bring a comprehensive overview of the band's prolific output. Celebrate 40 years of Blue Rodeo with this latest collection of Blue Rodeo's best loved songs featuring fan-favourites from their debut album, Outskirts, to their most recent release, Many a Mile.
The documentary Blue Rodeo: Lost Together, directed by Dale Heslip, delves into the band's history, exploring their creative process, personal challenges, and enduring friendships. Featuring interviews with band members past and present along with industry insiders, the film provides an intimate portrait of Blue Rodeo's journey, highlighting their impact on the Canadian music landscape. It's the ultimate tribute to Blue Rodeo's legacy, and a story that will resonate with everyone who believes in the power of music to transform lives.
Blue Rodeo: Lost Together won the 2024 Audience Award for a feature-length film at the Whistler Film Festival, and was the #1 Canadian film in Canada this week. The feature-length documentary premieres February 19 on the free CBC Gem streaming platform and the CBC Docs YouTube channel, followed by a national broadcast on CBC TV on March 23. In addition to its CBC release, the film is in the midst of a 26 market theatrical run at select Cineplex Odeon theatres.
Formed in 1984 by high school friends Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor, Blue Rodeo emerged as a countrified rock band in an era dominated by hair metal and glossy pop. Their journey began after spending three years in New York, where the pair struggled to attract label interest. Returning to Toronto, Jim and Greg were inspired by the changed and vibrant city and the wealth of talent and musical styles in venues all over town. The pair quickly made the decision to ignore trends and set out to create something true to themselves, in fact, to create a “psychedelic country band”, and Blue Rodeo was born.
Joined by bandmates Bazil Donovan, Cleave Anderson, and Bobby Wiseman, Blue Rodeo quickly gained momentum, filling venues and ascending to the top of the charts. Their commitment to authenticity and distinctive sound became the cornerstone of Blue Rodeo’s enduring success in the Canadian music scene.
The magic of Blue Rodeo’s sound comes from the distinct yet complementary songwriting styles of its lead singers, paired with the exceptional musicianship of its members. This songwriting partnership has been a driving force behind the band's success, producing a catalogue of songs that have resonated deeply with Canadians for decades. Their songs often tell stories that are rooted in Canadian experiences and landscapes, capturing the essence of the country's cultural identity. Through their songwriting and musicianship, Blue Rodeo has created a lasting legacy that continues to inspire and influence generations of musicians.
Today, the band has expanded to include original member Bazil Donovan, whose bass lines provide a rock-solid foundation, with drummer Glenn Milchem’s dynamic playing driving every song forward. Keyboardist Michael Boguski adds rich textures, Colin Cripps deepens the sound with his masterful guitar work and harmonies, and multi-instrumentalist Jimmy Bowskill brings versatility with guitar, mandolin, pedal steel, and fiddle, rounding out the band’s signature blend of country, rock, and roots.
Blue Rodeo will continue to celebrate their 40th anniversary with a number of exciting upcoming events throughout the year. Stay tuned to their channels for all the exciting details.