If you recognize the lyrics in the headline, then you're one of the millions who have either grown up with or discovered the folksy wisdom of Valdy. His signature tune "Rock and Roll Song" swept the charts and the country back in 1972, launching the career of one of Canada's most beloved troubadours. Valdy brings that voice along with a host of songs new and old to Humboldt's Gathering Place on August 4.

Bolt FM caught up with Valdy on another cross-Canada junket as he was driving along Lake Superior heading to Thunder Bay. During a conversation, he reminisced about his debut album with revered label A&M records and the unexpected fame that Country Man would bring.

"Prior to the record coming out, I had regional gigs. I would play around Vancouver Island, Victoria, and Sooke. But when that record came out, it became a hit across the country. I have been touring behind that song for fifty years." He paused to correct himself -- forty-seven years. Not only did it introduce his skills as a songwriter but as a sage interpreter of others. A pair early of Bruce Cockburn songs appear on the inaugural effort. Valdy quips, "I did a couple of Bruce's songs, and I'm not sure I got the words right. But that's OK; he was forgiving. It was nice to be able to cover his tunes."

Valdy puts that first album into perspective, musing, "That first recording had all the cream of the stuff I had written. That's how it works; the first album is the first twenty-five years of your writing, and the next album is the next year."

Throughout his musical journey, Valdy has been fortunate to have been surrounded by friends and like-minded musicians with whom he's shared the stage. Among them is a son of Rose Valley, Saskatchewan, singer-songwriter Gary Fjellgard. Since their first shared performance in 2000, the duo has been continuously touring each November. Valdy speaks with fondness and his trademark humour about his collaborations with Fjellgard. 

"He's still out at it, he's still playing, and he's still a marvellous writer. I've recorded some of his songs. I like to say I've paved his driveway but I don't think I did; I think I gravelled his driveway because I'm a folksinger."

 Another of his fruitful collaborations was with the Hometown Band, a folk-rock unit founded by noted producer Claire Lawrence of the band Chilliwack. Along with the vocal and instrumental talents of Shari Ulrich and a core of established musicians, the album Valdy and the Hometown Band charted solidly in the mid-seventies with radio classics "Yes, I Can" and "Peter and Lou". Again, Valdy recalls the camaraderie shared with his travel mates.

"It was a wonderful support. We travelled well together; we liked each other. It was a very harmonious gathering of people."

Valdy also recalls his foray into writing and performing for children at a time when his own children ranged in age from 5 to 7 years old. That phase started after he had performed a few "solo gigs" in his children's schools. Armed with a repertoire of songs he'd gathered from that time, he launched on a tour supporting a children's album. While he "wowed" both adults and kids alike, he reflects quizzically on the response it brought.

"You know, that was one of the most confusing things I've done to my career. All of a sudden, I couldn't get an adult gig because I was a kids' artist. Since I only do about 3 or 4 kids' shows a year out of 200 or so, it was not a death knell, but it certainly was a wake-up call."

There has been no lack of gigs in the ensuing years. Forty-seven years and nearly 20 albums later, the folk singer continues to produce new music. Valdy crisscrosses the country performing that new music along with his time tested classics. Promising both on August 4, Juno Award-winner Valdy makes the Gathering Place the stop for his first visit to Humboldt.