YARMOUTH, N.S. — Tanya Tucker has been in the music business for more than 50 years and, she says, she’s still “having a blast.”
“I started so young and it’s been nonstop,” says Tucker, who turned 60 in October.
Asked how her music and concert experiences have evolved through the decades, Tucker says, “I’ve come to pause, appreciate and listen to the audience – look at their reactions and feel their emotion. When the audience is relaxed, having fun and enjoying the show – that’s all that matters.”
Tucker is looking forward to bringing this experience to audiences in Nova Scotia in May. She’ll be kicking things off with a concert at the Mariners Centre in Yarmouth on May 10. Afterwards she performs at the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre in Bridgewater on May 11 and at the Rath Eastlink Community Centre in Truro on May 12.
Tucker talked about her career in an email interview with the Tri-County Vanguard. She says when people come to her concerts she wants to give them a break from life.
“To forget their problems at the door and enjoy the show,” she says is what she aims for. “We’re all dealing with a lot in life, so when they come to see me my job is to make sure they’re entertained.”
Asked which of her songs is her favourite, she says, “It has to be Delta Dawn. Hands down. I wouldn’t be here today without Delta Dawn.”
Tucker was just 13 when that song became her first country hit. And it still resonates decades later. She is happy to be a part of the role music plays in people’s lives.
“All I can hope for is if music touches my heart, it’ll touch yours – the listener,” she says.
In Yarmouth, Tucker’s music has certainly touched the heart of Leanne Pierce-Schneider. We’re not going out on a limb to say she is Tucker’s biggest fan in Yarmouth. She was first in line to purchase her concert ticket and she has an app on her phone counting down the days and hours to the show.
“I have been listening to Tanya Tucker since I was a kid. I used to steal my mom and dad’s cassettes and play them over and over, until they broke. I know almost every word to her songs, and even though I can’t sing worth a crap, I always felt I could sing to Tanya,” she says. “She’s my idol. She’s my badass country cowgirl hero.”
Pierce-Schneider herself is a hero to her family and friends. She is fighting cancer, that includes a tumour in her brain and cancer in other parts of her body. But even when the cancer knocks her down she is a determined, fierce fighter, living up to her ‘Wonder Woman’ nickname.
When the Yarmouth concert was announced, she didn’t just go to the head of the ticket line, she went to Facebook to exclaim her excitement.
“Never in a million years did I ever think I would get the chance to see her live. And that she would come to Yarmouth! I was first in line. I have a front row seat. I can’t even believe this is real! This concert is equivalent to U2 and Taylor Swift, for me. My level of happiness is out of this world!”
The Tri-County Vanguard newsroom invited Pierce-Schneider to submit a couple of questions as part of our email interview with Tucker. Her first question was, “In your life thus far, what has been the thing that has scared you the most? And how did you cope with that fear?”
“Hi Leanne, you’re such a doll. I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for fans like you,” Tucker responded. “There’s a lot of things that scare me…but I pray for safety and health for my kids, my friends and myself. Everything else is icing on the cake.”
Pierce- Schneider also wanted to know when fans might expect a new record. Tucker’s “Soon” reply was music to her ears.
As part of the interview with our newsroom, Tucker was asked who some of her favourite performers to collaborate with have been during her career. She listed her “heroes,” who include Willie Nelson, George Jones and Merle Haggard.
Tucker has been to Nova Scotia before, describing it as “absolutely breathtaking.” Asked if she has a bucket list for her trip away from the stage it’s pretty simple, “I love taking my dogs off the bus for a walk, so just to enjoy the fresh air in your beautiful community.”
Meanwhile, asked if she were interviewing herself what question she would ask, she says, “Oh, everyone already knows everything about me. I’m an open book! I do have a new tequila, Cosa Salvaje, that’s now out. So be sure to pick up a bottle and enjoy its smooth taste! LOL.”
If you go to the Yarmouth show
Doors open at the Mariners Centre at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, May 10. Opening act is at 7:30 p.m. Tanya Tucker’s performance starts at 8:15 p.m.
Ticket prices start at $59.75 plus fees and taxes.
Tickets can be purchased at the Mariners Centre box office in person, by calling 902-742-2155, or online at www.mariners-centre.com.
A THROWBACK THURSDAY VIDEO POSTED LAST YEAR ON TANYA TUCKER'S FACEBOOK PAGE
FROM TANYA TUCKER'S FACEBOOK PAGE:
MORE ABOUT TANYA TUCKER
In 1974, Rolling Stone ran a cover story on Tanya Tucker with the headline that said ‘You’re Gonna Hear From Me.’ Truer words have never been spoken. The country music icon's sultry voice and vivacious stage presence makes her one of the most admired and respected female vocalists in the country music genre. Her reign includes 23 Top 40 albums and a string of 56 Top 40 singles, 10 of which reached the No. 1 spot on the Billboard charts. She is also the recipient of numerous awards, including two CMAs, two ACMs and three CMT awards. In August 2016, the Academy of Country Music honored Tucker with the Cliffie Stone Icon Award during the 10th Annual ACM Honors. All-inclusive sales of singles, albums, hits collections and digital downloads have topped 25 million records worldwide. For more info visit tanyatucker.com. There is also ticket information on her website for the shows in Nova Scotia.
OPENING ACT: CAMERON NICKERSON
Yarmouth County musician Cameron Nickerson will be opening the act at Tanya Tucker's concert in Yarmouth.
Before going solo, Nickerson was tearing it up with his band The Rockabillys, opening for national acts like The Sheepdogs, and playing with local favourites The Stanfields.
“I couldn’t be happier for the opportunity to perform on the big stage at the Mariners Centre and opening for Tanya Tucker is certainly a dream come true,” says Nickerson, a 2019 East Coast Music Association nominee for Country Recording of the Year.
Nickerson’s debut album, Detours, was released in January 2018. The record combines his love of modern singer-songwriters with the grit and grime of country outlaw heroes like Willie Nelson or Merle Haggard. Sounding neither totally modern, nor like a retro throwback, Nickerson walks a unique musical path that’s strewn with bluegrass, rock and roll, teenage angst, and world-weary contemplation.
“As we put on concerts at the Mariners Centre we will endeavour to utilize local talent where possible to help give them a leg up and having Cameron open for this show is a great fit,” says Gil Dares, general manager of the Mariners Centre.
