March 4, 2013: Juno winner and Port Dover native Fred Eaglesmith has built his career on the rural character of Ontario. For 35 years he has toured around to towns and cities across the continent singing about the people and places in this province. In doing so, he has earned international accolades, gold records, a spot on David Letterman and songs covered by recording stars such as Miranda Lambert and Toby Keith; but Eaglesmith says the time has come to bring his show back home to where it truly belongs. The upcoming concert at the Port Stanley Legion on Saturday, March 23rd is just one of the local shows he has planned for the spring of 2013.

Photos: courtesy of www.fredeaglesmith.com. Lead photo taken of Fred Eaglesmith on stage at The Emelin Theatre in Mamaroneck, NY. January 25, 2013 ~ Submitted by: Howard Weiss. Photo shown left: Fred rockin' out at The Grey Eagle, in Asheville, NC. November 14, 2012 ~ Submitted by: David Love.

"For years I have been out on the road. I have been playing to people all over the world, and for those few weeks a year when I was able to get home from wherever I was, I would drive past a Legion or a community hall somewhere in Ontario and think Why not play these halls? Why not play for these people?," says Eaglesmith.

At the same time, Legion members and community volunteers have been asking themselves similar questions; how can we fill our halls and how can we reach out and encourage new people to get involved? Knowing they share similar goals, and with a desire to provide a special night out - complete with fancy stage costumes and a top hat - Eaglesmith and his team have been actively enlisting Legions, community halls and their members to host shows.

Keith White of the Legion in Angus, Ontario is one person who agreed to help put together a show. "Our Legion needs people in it more than ever," says White, "and having Fred Eaglesmith play last December brought out an enthusiastic crowd, many of whom had never been to a Legion before. The history, warmth and character of the Legion provides a great venue for live entertainment, and we know that show provided an opportunity to raise awareness and contribute to the organization's ability to continue our work."

The Legion's work includes not only veteran services but also much needed local support throughout the community: to schools, food banks, churches and families affected by loss or other circumstances. The work they do, and the venue they provide, excites Eaglesmith to no end. "Legions are special places. We love the vibe and we love that the right people are benefiting from our shows."

Eaglesmith also thinks Legions and community halls are the ideal venue for his Travelling Steam Show. The songs he writes and performs, with the help of his band - which includes Texas knock out Tif Ginn as opener and back up vocalist, bassist Justine Fischer, Matty Simpson on guitar, mandolinist Mike Zinger and drummer Kori Heppner - seem particularly poignant and appropriate in these places because they are genuinely tied to the lives, labours, trials, tribulations and triumphs of everyday people who may visit them.

"I have played so many venues I can't even count them all, but I can tell you, the best shows are the ones where I pull up and share a night with folks like those I meet at Ontario's Legions and community halls. It is not what people think the music business is - but I say it is what the music business should be - a good night, in a good place. I just can't wait for these shows."

The show starts at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are available now at www.fredeaglesmith.com for $25. Tickets at the door are $30.

2013 - Fred Eaglesmith - Ontario

• Thur. March 7th: E-Bar - Guelph, ON
• Fri. March 8th: Class Act Dinner Theatre - Whitby, ON
• Sat. March 9th: Park Theatre and Performing Arts - Cobourg, ON
• Sun. March 10th:: Legion Ganonoque - Ganonoque, N
• Tue. March 12th: Legion Branch 472 - Hawkesbury, ON
• Wed. March 13th & 14th: Neat Coffee Shop - Burnstown, ON
• Fri. March 15th: Wilno Tavern - Wilno, ON
• Sat. March 16th: The Blacksheep Inn - Wakefield, QC
• Sun. March 17th: Perth Civitan Club - Perth, ON
• Thur. March 21st: Wheatley Legion - Wheatley, ON
• Fri. March 22nd: Chatham Moose Hall - Chatham, ON
• Sat. March 23rd: Port Stanley Legion - Port Stanley, ON
• Thur. March 28th: Canfield Community Hall - Canfield, ON
• Fri. March 29th: Brantford Gunners Club - Brantford, ON
• Sat. March 30th: Port Burwell Legion - Port Burwell, ON
• Fri. April 5: Meaford Hall - Meaford, ON
• Sat. April 6th: London Music Club - London, ON
• Wed. April 10th: The FM Lounge - Windsor, ON
• Fri. May 3rd: Orillia Legion Branch 34 - Orillia, ON
• Sat. May 4th: RC Legion, West Ferris Branch 599 - North Bay, ON
• Fri. May 24th: Queens Bar & Grill - Port Elgin, ON
• Sat. May 25th: Blyth Festival Memorial Hall - Blyth, ON
• Thur. June 6th: Time to Laugh - Kingston, ON