BY ALIZA GRAHAM / DAGLIGTALE STAFF WRITER

On Wednesday, October 16th, 2019, Ryan Lindsay, an Augustana alumnus, returned to campus for his first studio album’s release concert at the Cargill Theatre in the Jeanne and Peter Lougheed Performing Arts Centre. Lindsay is an emerging Canadian Country artist from Wainwright, Alberta. He has a degree in Outdoor Education and he is described as a wilderness guide turned singer. Prior to his music career he sailed across the Atlantic Ocean, solo hiked the Greenland fjords, canoed the Arctic Ocean through the tundra, and guided extended backcountry trips across Canada.

Lindsay’s fearless love and passion for the world around him resonates now through his music. He launched his solo career last spring with his first single release, Doin’ Alright—a song that highlighted his decision to move from the guiding world and become an electrician in order to fund his own music career. Lindsay played bars from the age of eighteen while fronting a country cover band, studied improvisation on the side in university, and acted in musical theatre. His dynamic songwriting is wide-ranging; some themes covered in his music would be outdoor-based nostalgia, reflections on love, life tribulations, or classic country sounding melodies and cowboy tunes that he says, “you can stomp on the hardwood floor to.”

The concert began with an introduction of Lindsay’s accomplishments in his Country music career. In the past year Lindsay released two singles and his first music video ‘Wild’, he claims that the song ‘Wild’ changed his life. He won Country 105’s Rising Star competition, performed on the mainstage of Country Thunder, made the Top 10 Ballot for ACMA male country artist of the year, performed on the Nashville North stage at the Calgary Stampede, and recently the most voted ACMA artist to perform on the MDM stage at 2019 CCMA Week.

Before each song Lindsay told stories or introduced the topic that inspired his music, explaining the significance and the message behind his songs. Some of these topics included his experience in college, the power of positive thinking, enjoying the little moments, growing up, becoming connected to places, the impact of forest fires, and an appreciation of the environment. He also mentioned some of his musical influences, mainly Garth Brooks, as well as music his dad showed him from bands such as The Eagles and The Doobie Brothers. He talked about how great it was to be back in Camrose at Augustana campus, and stated: “Being an Augustana Alum is the best thing in the world.” Lindsay spent three years in Mannskor and his last year in the Augustana choir; he acknowledged Augustana Choir conductor John Wiebe for helping him become a better singer. After the intermission, Lindsay had the Augustana Choir perform his song on stage for an amazing performance showcasing the collaboration of Country music and the Augustana Choir.

Lindsay spoke about the importance of chasing opportunities, dreams, and ambitions. He is an energetic and enthusiastic performer and musician. He had the whole crowd engaged, singing and clapping along and created a vibrant energy throughout the concert. Overall, he and his bandmates sounded great and had a lot of fun onstage performing, it was a memorable performance by the country star, and one you would not want to miss! For more about him and his upcoming show dates visit his website, ryanlindsaymusic.com.

(Originally published November 6, 2019)