Pat Carey might seem like a relative newcomer to an iconic and long-established Canadian band, but he joined in 1985.
Such is the longevity of the Downchild Blues Band, that someone with as much long-time skin in the band could be considered as such.
“Most of my life has been with Downchild,” Carey tells MidlandToday. “I was only 25 years old when I joined.”
But Carey and other members of the band’s current lineup which got its start with high-octane performances in 1969 continue to be led by North Bay's guitar ace Donnie “Mr. Downchild” Walsh, who founded the band with his brother Richard "Hock" Walsh.
Donnie was inducted into the North Bay Musicians & Entertainers Hall of Recognition.
See: Downchild Blues founder heading to North Bay Musicians Hall
“Donnie’s always stayed true to the roots of the blues,” Carey says. “He’s always been true to his passion. You’ve either got it or you don’t.”
Baker says that when the band performs to full houses at the Gravenhurst Opera House Friday before moving down the road to the Midland Cultural Centre Saturday, audience members are sure to hear some memorable songs from the band’s 55-year catalogue.
“I’m sure we’re going to hit someone’s favourite,” he said, adding the seven-piece ensemble will feature a full horn section to help celebrate that band's remarkable journey that has taken them around the world and established them as one of the greatest live blues bands of all time.
After 19 albums and countless awards, including a Juno Award and Donnie Walsh’s induction into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2019, Downchild remains a powerhouse in the blues world.
The current lineup features Walsh on guitar and harmonica, Chuck Jackson on vocals and harmonica, Carey on tenor sax, Gary Kendall on bass, Jim Casson on drums, and Tyler Yarema on keyboards. They'll be joined at the Midland show by Jeff Rogers.
Carey says knowing that this will be the band’s final tour makes it "bittersweet."
“There will be some tears at the end for sure,” Baker says, adding that while 'Mr. Downchild' might be winding down, he and some of the other players will continue doing freelance studio work and live performances with other musicians.
But for now, Carey's taking it all in and recalls his fondest memories with the band involving performances at Toronto’s Massey Hall, including one where they opened for blues and guitar legend B.B. King.
In pop culture, the band is said to be the model for the Blue Brothers when Dan Aykroyd and the late John Belushi were looking for inspiration for their venture in the 1970s.
The pair elevated Downchild’s Shotgun Blues and Walsh’s (I Got Everything I Need) Almost to smash status on their 1978 Briefcase Full of Blues record.
And as Aykroyd has pointed out in past interviews “There would be no Blues Brothers if it weren’t for Downchild.”
