Switchback Canadian Debut Receives Standing Ovations!

by Brenda Winslow

Switchback finally made their long overdue debut in Canada over the weekend of August 18 at the Corn Festival on beautiful St. Joseph Island, Ontario -- and the boys brought down the house! Our neighbors to the north experienced the duo of Brian FitzGerald and Marty McCormack for the first time at the Royal Canadian Legion Hall at Richard’s Landing. The crowd honored Switchback with several standing ovations!

Several new fans remarked afterward that they couldn’t believe Switchback wasn’t Canadian. In fact, Marty and Brian both have family ties to Ontario. Both have ancestors from Ireland who settled temporarily in Ontario before moving on to the Midwest.

The crowd was a mix of Scottish, Irish and French Canadians as well as a few American friends. “It was a perfect audience,” Marty said. “All ages and all connecting to the music. It was just awesome.”

For those lucky enough to experience it, everyone agreed. When Brian and Marty let loose in the blues instrumental Jesse Taylor’s Nightmare, the crowd went crazy! The energy was incredible! Throughout the evening, everyone contributed to the vibe by clapping and singing, and smiles were endless throughout the hall. Not even the cold rain that forced the concert indoors could dampen the spirits of this crowd! 

The rain had, however, forced a time issue and the legendary islander and master fiddler, Fred Kent, had graciously bowed out of the lineup, even though he had not played Cornfest in 30 years. (St. Joseph Island, we learned, is actually home to many very talented musicians. The peaceful aura of this large island, along with its rich natural beauty of rolling green hills and rocky shorelines, seems to be a mecca for musicians.)

Time issue or no, 30 years was too long a time to ignore, and the chance to play with Fred too great an opportunity to let slip away, so Switchback invited him to join them on stage for several songs. He had never heard the band’s original work before that day. With a smile, Fred listened for a verse and then joined right in like an old friend, his fiddle on fire along with Switchback’s mandolin, guitar, and bass.

We understand it’s not in Fred’s nature to seek the limelight; he tried to bow off the stage several times. When the crowd also gave Fred a standing ovation, he tightened his jaw to force back the emotion. He was home again for Cornfest! We were so blessed to be a part of that magical night.

We say “God Bless America”, but I think we also need to start saying “God Bless our Canadian Neighbors,” too. These dear people share so many of our experiences. The message carried in Switchback’s latest release, Falling Water River, hit home for members of Switchback’s Canadian audience that day. Cameron Ross, a local at the concert, has several of his children serving in Afghanistan. “We’re in this together now,” he told Marty. “Let’s not forget them. After all, they’re all our children.”

St. Joseph Islanders are truly some of the nicest people in the world, and they made the Switchback family feel so at home. When the guys are touring for so long and so far away from their homes and real families, this means so much. We can’t say enough about that warm Canadian hospitality.