For my money, one of the finest voices to emerge in the Americana scene in the last few years is Vancouver’s Brother Bob Sumner. Not long after I moved from Vancouver to Toronto a few years ago Bob played a night of music at the Dakota Tavern celebrating the release of his beautiful Wasted Love Songs album that served as a fantastic welcome to that venue for me.

Cut forward a few years (and let’s not forget about the pandemic that happened in the middle) and Bob is back with a new album titled Some Place to Rest Easy. Full of the thoughtful lyrics, careful pacing, beautiful vocals and twang that characterizes his songs the album is both a tribute to the classic country music of the past and a look forward to its future.

The album’s been out for a few months, but Bob swung past Toronto for a launch show at the Legendary Horseshoe Tavern, assembling a fine collection of musicians for a backing band with Kendel Carson on fiddle, Matt Kelly on pedal steel and Etienne Tremblay accompanying on rhythm guitar. Throw Doug Paisley in as an opening act and you’ve got one of the finest nights of music you can assemble. (I, sadly, had to miss Johnny 99’s opening set due to an commitment earlier in the evening. Regrets, I’ve had a few.)

Making a living as a musician is hard these days: touring is expensive, streaming doesn’t really pay, physical media sales are low but without music what’s the point? Bob’s touring, and when he swings by your town make sure to catch the show. You won’t regret it, and you’ll be helping keep the music alive.