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Experience helps Canadian songwriter find his groove

A Juno nominee is bringing his unique, honest brand of pop music to Bragg Creek in what promises to be an outstanding evening of entertainment.
Royal Wood will be playing at the Bragg Creek Community Centre March 9.
Royal Wood will be playing at the Bragg Creek Community Centre March 9.

A Juno nominee is bringing his unique, honest brand of pop music to Bragg Creek in what promises to be an outstanding evening of entertainment.

Toronto singer-songwriter and pianist Royal Wood will perform in Bragg Creek on March 9 as part of the Bragg Creek Performing Arts spring season.

In 2008, Wood was iTunes Songwriter of the Year, and in 2011, his album The Waiting earned a Juno nomination for Songwriter of the Year.

Wood is known for writing honest lyrics and this willingness to bare his soul through his music led him to create 2012’s We Were Born to Glory, his most successful album to date.

“I would describe my sound as emotionally-driven pop rock,” he said. “I’m so incredibly open now and I wouldn’t have released this album eight years ago as it’s too personal.”

Debuting in the Top 25 albums in Canada, We Were Born to Glory includes the single I Want Your Love which remained at No. 1 on CBC Radio 2 for three weeks, and the video Not Giving Up had heavy rotation on Much Music.

Currently on The Glory Tour, Wood has performed in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, the Netherlands and Canada.

“I’m always scheduled and at times that makes it difficult for family and loved ones,” he said. “But, I love my career and it’s what I’ve always wanted to do.”

Wood wrote We Were Born to Glory in Montreal, and the city inspired him to write energetic and high tempo music. He said he is happier and that positive attitude shows on this album.

“The majority of what I created was celebratory and enthusiastic,” said Wood. “I was like a kid and excited to write music.”

The album, a concept record, follows the theme of celebrating life and reaching one’s potential he said.

“It was a surprise to me that I became such a different kind of artist on this album,” said Wood. “I want to take advantage of being alive right now.”

Wood said he could not credit this change to any one thing, but his writing has improved with age, life experience and maturity.

“I am at a point now that I’m mature and aware enough not to take any of this for granted,” he said.

According to Wood, his 20s were a blur and this resulted in his work being reactionary and not planned.

“In terms of my career I acted from impulse, and that changed in my 30s as part of growing up,” he said.

Wood attributed his newfound growth to watching his siblings have children and his parents get older, as well as the death of three of his grandparents in recent years.

Being married to Canadian singer Sarah Slean for the last five years has also helped him evolve as an artist.

“I am finally making time for things that matter, and by doing that my career is more successful that it’s ever been,” said Wood.

Royal Wood will be performing as a duo with Dean Drouillard at the Bragg Creek Community Centre on March 9 at 8 p.m.

For tickets and information visit braggcreekperformingarts.com or call 403-949-4114.

For more information about Royal Wood, go to royalwood.ca.

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