“COVID-19 was a real punch in the stomach to musicians across the country, but it’s time to get back out there,” said touring entertainer Scott Woods from Fergus, Ontario. The veteran fiddler had tours with his travelling show-band booked across Canada, the USA and Europe in 2020, but all of that changed with the pandemic.
“The biggest challenge is to get those folks back in the habit of doing things. As a society, we need that interaction--especially the seniors. Our show is the perfect fit," he said.
Woods is a multiple winner of the Canadian Open Fiddle Contest, the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Competition and was named Canadian Fiddle Entertainer of the Year. In 2018, he was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Association.
Woods offers a true variety show, not unlike Don Messer’s Jubilee, the Tommy Hunter Show or HeeHaw, he says. The Scott Woods Band brings Canadian fiddle music, traditional country, gospel, dancing and lots of family-friendly humour to the stage with fun costumes and antics including Woods' famous trick fiddling, where he walks on a barrel and does a running somersault all while playing his fiddle.
Joining Scott on his brand new 2023 tour, is his sister, Kendra Norris. She is also a champion fiddler, plays accordion, piano and sings. Kendra is known for doing her tribute to ‘Cousin Minnie Pearl.’ Playing drums, fiddle, singing and dancing is 18-year old Leo Stock. Known as “Good Ole Spaghetti Legs,” Leo recently won the Canadian Open Step Dancing Championship. It's all on the big screen too, so show-goers don't have to miss any of it.
“You don’t have to be a fiddle or country music fan to enjoy the show,” said Woods. “There is always something different to see and hear and your emotions will vary from excited, happy and fun to serious, and even sad.”
The show features lots of Canadian old time fiddle tunes in the style of Don Messer, Al Cherny, and Graham Townsend but also country, including the Leroy Van Dyke hit – the Auctioneer.
The name of the new show for 2023 is Old Fashioned Hoedown, taken from the Gene Autry song by the same name. In the lyrics, it says “When lady luck gives you the throw down, and old-man worry starts to mow down, there’s nothing like a good old-fashioned hoedown, to chase your blues away.”
Most shows are fundraising events for churches, charities and local community service organizations. Check out the tour schedule at scottwoods.ca or call toll free 1-855-ScottWoods (1-855-726-8896) for more information.
