By the time Denver Daines began playing guitar seriously as a teenager, the spirit of country was long instilled within his soul. He had grown up on the farm surrounded by horses and cattle, starting his rodeo career riding sheep and miniature horses.
“I would play for my friends around campfires,” he said. “I just kept on playing.”
Eventually Daines moved from the smaller rodeo events to steer and saddle bronc riding. On the music front he's progressed as well, scoring radio play across the country as he works on his debut record.
Daines cites country legends like Garth Brooks and George Strait and modern stars like Taylor Swift and Keith Urban as influences. Sure, he may know there is a lot of ground to work until he hits those lofty heights, but says his experience on the rodeo circuit has taught him how to put in his time.
“You have to earn your stripes and work your way up to the top,” he said, explaining what it was like to move from novice bronc riding into the open category. “It's in the family blood.”
In 1976 his father Ivan had won the average at the National Finals Rodeo, his name making the top 15 of the world standings five times between 1968 and 1980 for bronc riding.
At 21, Denver won the Calgary Stampede novice bronc riding competition in 2001. But after the blood and sweat it took to excel in the open category, winning the saddle bronc championship last year in Ponoka was especially sweet.
“Cashing in the cheque for $12,500 definitely made for a good day,” he said. “I tried to save it up, but travelling down the road sure sucks it away quickly.”
As in rodeo, it was a music contest that set him up on a more serious trajectory. He won a KG Country radio promotion and never looked back.
“A lot of my songs are pretty heartfelt,” he said. “I think if the listener can connect to your song that's the most important thing.”
Last fall Daines released Tennessee Night to a warm reception on country radio and put out My Time to Shine in the new year.
“I don't have a particular genre that I play,” he said. “I call it ‘twisted country' because it's a mix of everything.”
These days Daines works as a personal trainer and spends a fair bit of time hammering out parts for the songs he's in the middle of writing.
“Everyone likes a good ole country tune,” he said. “As for now it's just about enjoying the ride.”
On April 6 Daines will hit the secondary rink at the Innisfail Twin Arena as the featured entertainment during the cabaret at the 2013 Senior AA/A Investors Group Hockey Alberta Provincials.
Doors open at 8 p.m. Show starts at 9 p.m. Tickets will cost $10 in advance or $15 at the door. For tickets call Darin at 403-573-2799 or email [email protected].
