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Jim Byrnes looks forward to intimacy of Ladner venue

Vancouver's own Jim Byrnes returns to Genesis Theatre in Ladner this Saturday for a 7:30 p.m. show. “I’ve played there at least twice and maybe three times. It’s a great theatre, love playing there,” said Byrnes.
jim byrnes
Jim Byrnes comes to town on Saturday, Oct. 19 for a 7:30 p.m. show.

Vancouver's own Jim Byrnes returns to Genesis Theatre in Ladner this Saturday for a 7:30 p.m. show.

“I’ve played there at least twice and maybe three times. It’s a great theatre, love playing there,” said Byrnes. “I really prefer a venue that size because of the intimacy, you can really relate to the audience, communicate with the folks and if everything works out right, it’s like you are sitting in a living room with your friends.”
Byrnes said he has a great band lined up for the Genesis show.

“This has been one of my tricks – hire guys who are a lot better than me – it makes me look as if I know what I’m doing,” Byrnes remarked.

For nearly 50 years, Byrnes has crooned, drawled, belted, hollered and sweet-talked more songs into a microphone than most people ever get to hear in a lifetime.

His music has won multiple awards, including three Junos, and his previous concerts at Genesis Theatre have been very popular.

As to why he keeps playing and touring, Byrnes said he just loves what he does.

“It’s that feeling you get when you hit the right note, the right move, the right place and it all becomes more of the sum of its parts,” he said. “The music is for free – what we get paid for is setting up, waiting around at the airport, getting hassled through security and all that stuff. The music is the reward and that’s what is free for everybody, so that’s what motivates me to keep doing this.

“My first professional job where I had my name on the poster and stuff besides open mics was in November of 1965 opening for The Birds at St. Louis University, so that’s a long time ago and somehow or another I’ve managed to keep it fresh. A lot of that is making sure you are playing with guys who are younger than you.”

Byrnes said performing is always a lot of give and take.

“I give them [the audience] something and they give back, so that’s why I say the music is the sum of its parts,” he said. “On a good night magic happens. Another things about playing South Delta, when I look back at all the shows years ago in Vancouver, so many people now have moved out of the city to the suburbs, like South Delta, so we get to see people we used to see all the time in the club’s downtown, so it’s great to see that.

“Hopefully we have a few new people who come out and we can get some new fans too.”

Tickets for the Saturday, Oct. 19 show can be purchased online at: http://connect37.deltasd.bc.caor by phone at 604-940-5550.