Soldiering on

Jamie Spurvey has deep roots in both, and even though he’s only 21 years old, he also has first-hand experience — actually he’s on his second go around with one, and is off to a flying start.

Mr. Spurvey captured the hearts of thousands last month, winning the Havelock Country Idol in Havelock, Ont., with a combination of original and cover tunes.

In the process, winning a prize package worth in the vicinity of $20,000, and includes three-day studio time, a CD or 10-song mastering, professional photo shoot, press kit, website, and an opportunity to play at the Havelock Country Jamboree — one of Canada’s largest country outdoor concerts, which was held Aug. 18-21, and showcased the likes of country stars Johnny Reid, Martina McBride, Sawyer Brown, Pam Tillis, Lorrie Morgan, Joe Nichols and Tommy Hunter.

“It was a pretty cool feeling playing the same event as the likes of Johnny Reid and Martina McBride,” said Mr. Spurvey. “On top of that, I got a great response from the thousands of people that were there. They were screaming and enjoying themselves, so that felt really great.”

Up to now, Mr. Spurvey said the opportunity to play at the Jamboree has been the highlight of the prize package, but he’s put that behind him and it’s full steam ahead with a focus on the future of his musical career.

“The chance to spend time in a studio, record and release a single, have a professional photo shoot, and the other things in the package are certainly there to help a musician launch a career, and that’s where I’m headed,” he said, while waiting to do a sound check for the seventh annual Averill Baker and Friends Benefit Concert on Wednesday at the Joseph R. Smallwood Arts and Culture Centre in Gander.

Gander connection

Originally from Fox Harbour, a small community on the Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland and Labrador, Mr. Spurvey said he grew up with music all around him, especially on his father’s side of his family and, in particular, his uncle Dave.

“I think he’s one of the best accordion players in Canada, and he was certainly one of my early influences,” he said, adding the accordion is one of the instruments he can play, and even recorded a CD of traditional Newfoundland music when he was 14 years old.

“It was all cover tunes, along the lines of Simani and the Dorymen. We made a lot, sold a lot, and never lost money on it, so it wasn’t that bad. It was certainly a learning experience.”

For the next three years, through his teenage years, Mr. Spurvey continued to play, but nothing more than a few shows or for family friends — nothing serious.

In 2007, his focus changed, and he followed in the footsteps of another family tradition — joining the Canadian Armed Forces. His father, Harold, and brother, Aubrey, were already members of the Forces, and he felt it was his calling.

In November 2007, Private First Class Jamie Spurvey told The Beacon’s sister paper, The Telegram, in St. John’s, he was joining the military because “I'd like to carry on the family tradition and get the chance to travel. But most importantly you get to work together as a team to serve your country.”

Less than two years later, he was posted to CFB Gander, and his mother and father moved to the airport town to be near their son.

It was in Gander his musical interests were re-ignited, and after several local appearances, including a guest performance on a local television show, and some good fan support, he decided he would swing full circle and return to building his music career.

“It was a pretty cool feeling playing the same event as the likes of Johnny Reid and Martina McBride.” - Jamie Spurvey

That was about a year ago, and on April 15, he served his last day at CFB Gander having been given a honourable discharge from the military to pursue his music dreams.

Last week was his first back since, and he got to spend some time with another of his musical influences — John Landry.

Ironically, Mr. Landry’s musical career took just the opposite route as Mr. Spurvey’s. Mr. Landry served a stint as an infantryman in his early 20s, with dreams of being an air force pilot. However, the Forces’ training program was closed and he opted to become a critical care flight medic.

A few years later, people started noticing his powerful voice, so he entered a talent contest, and was soon seeking a leave of absence from the military.

His music career exploded out of the gate with his debut album, Forever Took Too Long, scoring two top 10 country hits in 1999, with There You Were and Bit By Bit. He was nominated for three Juno awards in 2000, including album of the year and best male country artist.

However, his second album, Bottom of the Ninth, failed to make an impact in the U.S. country market, despite being produced in Nashville, and Mr. Landry saw his music career stall.

Then about four years ago, he caught the pilot bug again, and with openings in the air force pilot’s program, he applied, was accepted and passed. He is now a member of 103 Search and Rescue Squadron in Gander, piloting a Cormorant helicopter, while also keeping his music career alive.

“It was good to see John,” said Mr. Spurvey, who was supposed to perform a couple songs with him at the Gander benefit concert, but didn’t because Capt. Landry was unable to participate due to medical reasons.

“Actually, seeing him in hospital might be my inspiration for a song, who knows?”

What’s next

The day after the benefit concert, Mr. Spurvey was back on a plane to Ontario, where he will jump headfirst into launching his music career.

“I’m not quite sure what my future plans are, as I need to talk to the guys involved with the Country Idol to see what’s planned there,” he said. “

“It’s hard to believe that just five months ago I was in Gander serving in the military, and now I have all these opportunities. The sky’s the limit.”

One thing he knows for sure is he won’t be rushing off to Nashville to become just another country singer. His plan is to build a solid foundation in Canada, and see where that takes him.

A second album could be in the works for later this fall, but he said he isn’t committed to such a project as of now.

“The plan was to do one, but then all this Country Idol opportunities came along. I can’t say 100 per cent when it will be, but I’m sure there will be one in the near future.”