Folk music fans are invited to a night of Gordon Lightfoot in Lake Country. 

Local singer-songwriter John Paul Byrne will be paying tribute to the legendary Lightfoot on Oct. 9 at Creekside Theatre. 

According to those who have seen Byrne on stage before, Read My Mind: The Gordon Lightfoot Tribute Show, is like stepping back into the intimate concert halls of the 1970s.

The Lightfoot Tribute Show has been celebrated for its authenticity and emotional depth, drawing comparisons to Lightfoot’s original performances. 

Steffan Clements, son of the late Terry Clements, who was Lightfoot’s lead guitarist for over four decades said, “He just sang ‘If You Could Read My Mind’ better than anybody I’ve ever heard, he sounded just like him.”

Clements’ father joined the Lightfoot band as lead guitarist in 1970 and remained with the band until his passing in 2011, playing a pivotal role in shaping the sound of Lightfoot’s music.

For the die-hard Lightfoot fan, Byrne, spotting a recently-grown moustache, channels “Gordie” not only in tone but presence.

Joining Byrne on stage are Ray Roper on lead guitar and keyboards, Roy Kawano on bass, Ray Lee on drums, and Ian Stewart on pedal steel guitar. The five-piece ensemble captures the same spirit and musicality that defined Lightfoot’s distinctive sound, blending folk, country and rock elements into a resonant performance. 

Tickets are $42 and can be purchased at ticketseller.ca