While mega star Johnny Reid worked with Calgary based singer/ songwriter JJ Shiplett on his upcoming album, he will be sharing the stage for first time with him on his current tour, which stops by the Enmax Centre, Feb. 13.
“It’s going to be really fun for us, being on the road with Johnny and playing for his audience,” Shiplett enthused from the tour kickoff in Vancouver.
“ He’s just the consummate professional. So watching him working with his people and the crew and his audience will help me a lot,” he continued, adding he has been friends with Johnny for a long time.
“ I’m with his company, I’m more used to going to Nashville and hanging out with him at his house there,” he said, noting Reid is executive producer of Shiplett’s new CD, due out soon.
“ He was executive producer, so he just watched over everything making sure we were on the right track,” he said.
“ The album is done and the art is done. There are just a few details that need to be worked out,” he said, adding He hasn’t co-written any songs with him yet.
“ We’re hoping to do some of that during the down time on this tour,” he said.
“I’m just excited to be part of it all,” he enthused.
In anticipation of the new CD and tour, Shiplett released a taster EP of four songs from both.
“The EP has four of the six songs I’ll be playing on this tour. We just want to up the the hits and hope people will grab onto them,” he said.
He will be playing with band mates guitarist Daniel Huscroft, bassist Greg Peace and drummer Nathan Giebelhaus.
“I wouldn’t want to be on stage with anyone else, looking left and right and seeing my brothers there who have supported me from the beginning,” he said.
He is excited to be on the tour. There may even be some on stage jamming with Reid.
“ Something like that might be happening. It’ll be great. He’s such an easygoing guy,” he said.
“I’m excited to be back in Lethbridge. It’s been about four years. I think the last time I was there, I was part of a four piece rock band.
Tickets for the show, which begins at 7:30 p.m., Feb. 13, cost $53.75-$88.75, Aaron Goodvin is also on the bill.
