Jeff Callery never ceases to amaze me with his joie de vivre! After a one on one, he is the first to tell you that there is a lot going on in his life that make it important for him to focus his positive energy to performing and entertaining. Jeff has been performing live with a band, solo, duo, trio for decades now. He has a magnetic vibe that fills his confidence on stage and allows him to stand firm, back in his heels and swing for the fences in all the best ways possible on a ballad or a rocker! His musical story is just as much a part of his life as his family. I love him for that. He loves his audience and give so much. Check out his latest project, Outskirts: Celebrating the Music of Blue Rodeo on Saturday, May 4. Details here: web link

Q: Jeff Callery...I have known you for so long now! You are without a doubt, a cozy, comfy favourite musician of so many at The Cove! Throughout the years, you have morphed, but your sound is always truly vibrant and just, you. How you do keep such energy about on stage?

Q: I love playing at The Cove, and I feel at home there. I feel grateful every time I get to take a stage and play for folks. You never really know when your last time on stage will be, or the last time you get to play for family, friends, and fans, so I try to leave it all on the stage every night. Never want to regret calling it in and not have another chance for redemption. I also like to think that I’m there for the folks in the audience, not the other way around. Keeps me pumped and trying to deliver all I can that night.

Q: You started in the Country music scene touring and winning festival contests etc. across Ontario and Upstate New York. Did that early success lead to some confidence to suggest that you might make a career of this crazy music business?

Jeff: I always knew that I’d be playing music. I realized that early on it was something I had to do. For a while, I was on a hiatus for other career circumstances, but I knew it wouldn’t be long until I was back performing and writing. I’ve never been overly confident in my skills, but I know I work hard. That coupled with surrounding myself with great positive music folks was my goal. I’ve been fortunate.

Q: Your family is so important to you. They have been so supportive of your music as is evident by their regular attendance. I have spoken with you about the precious time we have with our families and what can seem like a complete battle with significant others with our schedules as musicians. I don't think I have asked anyone in these interviews yet but what does family mean to you?

Jeff: I appreciate the question man, and always enjoy our chats about family. I’ve been fortunate to have my wife, kids, parents, siblings and extended family be very supportive. They’re also honest and share their opinions when they think I may not be delivering. Humility is easy with a great family around you. I don’t believe I would’ve started with or continued to make music without their love and support.

Q: I admire your drive to keep writing and connected to your art. You have been working in tandem with artists all over but have done some work in Nashville that has led to musical relationships. Can you fill us in?

Jeff: I was really blessed to join a great group of writers in Nashville at Songtown USA. It’s a great group of Top Nashville writers that created a space where other writers connect, learn and grow. That community has connected me to folks all over the world and some killer writers, players and singers. Those relationships have led us to a couple great cuts of our tunes with some really talented indie artists and I’m so thankful to be affiliated with them.

Q: Outskirts is a band of the music of Blue Rodeo. I love the idea of channelling a band and their iconic sound. What spurred this band on?

Jeff: I’ve been playing Blue Rodeo music since my very first gig almost 35 years ago and have likely played at least one Blue Rodeo song in every show since. I had the privilege to open a couple shows over the years for them and thought it would be fun to get together with a great group of guys and players and just play the music that has inspired me for so long. I had the idea a few years back, but timing is everything and it just needed to marinate in my brain for a while. Then, as COVID was leaving our minds, I thought that now would be a good time before another thing may prevent it from ever happening. I was very fortunate that the lads - Randy Orr, Glen Crotty, Mark Hunt, Leigh Graham and Andy Schick agreeed to come along for the ride. We’re having a great time and I think it shows through the music. We’re not a Tribute band per se. Rather, using your words (great words by the way), we are channeling Blue Rodeo! Posted: May 1, 2024