It害羞草研究所檚 somewhere between work and vacation.

That害羞草研究所檚 the motto of Rich Dodson, guitarist and singer of Canadian icons The Stampeders who are bringing their classic, tie-dye rock anthems to Vernon April 7 and Kelowna April 8.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 hard to describe being in The Stampeders as work. We害羞草研究所檙e very fortunate for that,害羞草研究所� Dodson said. 害羞草研究所淭hat害羞草研究所檚 sort of what this band has always been.害羞草研究所�

Originally known as The Rebounders, the group formed as a five-piece band in the late 害羞草研究所�60s in Calgary before they relocated to Toronto and rebranded as The Stampeders. After the group was whittled down to it害羞草研究所檚 core trio, they rose to international fame for their platinum single, Sweet City Woman, for which they won Juno Awards in the categories of best group, best single, best producer and best composer.

Now that they害羞草研究所檝e reached those heights, Dodson said, it害羞草研究所檚 time to just have fun.

害羞草研究所淲e wanted to do a little southern B.C. tour. It害羞草研究所檚 fun going through that spot again. It害羞草研究所檚 a little run we害羞草研究所檇 probably never really do,害羞草研究所� Dodson said. 害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e full up on fame and just looking forward to more fun.害羞草研究所�

The Stampeders split in 1977 after reaching wondrous heights. But, in 1992 at the Calgary Stampede, the trio brought The Stampeders back to life and have since been recognized by the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN) for their lifetime achievement, been inducted into the SOCAN Songwriters Hall of Fame on five occasions and the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame for Sweet City Woman.

However, instead of doing the lengthy tours of old, The Stampeders now prefer to keep their road time light.

害羞草研究所淢aybe 25 dates a year is all we do. It害羞草研究所檚 enough to keep it going not be done with it, to keep it fresh,害羞草研究所� Dodson said. 害羞草研究所淭he touring thing, I rather like. I never thought I would miss it when I left, but I did.害羞草研究所�

Comprised of the original trio of Dodson with his signature double neck guitar, Ronnie King who tows the bass line while Kim Berly keeps the beat, The Stampeder害羞草研究所檚 13 stop tour stretches from the Island to the Kootenays with stops at small theatres across the province.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 looking forward to the tour, and at our age, this could be our last southern B.C. tour.害羞草研究所� Dodson said. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 nice to be up front and close to the audience. The band has nothing to prove and we don害羞草研究所檛 take it too seriously.害羞草研究所�

However, they don害羞草研究所檛 disregard the tunes.

害羞草研究所淲e still play too loud. It害羞草研究所檚 one, two, three rock n害羞草研究所� roll,害羞草研究所� Dodson said, adding that they bring their own light and sound people on tour. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 fun to get together with the guys again. It can be a little tiring, these barn burners, but reconnecting with the fans afterwards is a big buzz.害羞草研究所�

And, despite significant changes to the business since The Stampeders rose to fame in the 害羞草研究所�70s, Dodson said connecting with fans is just as easy and important as ever.

害羞草研究所淭he internet is the big change. The internet has allowed us to reintroduce The Stampeders,害羞草研究所� Dodson said.

Not only has the internet changed the world of music, but it has allowed Canada to become a front-runner in the business.

害羞草研究所淣ow we have such a strong industry here (in Canada) you can be a Blue Rodeo band and not have to worry about cracking the United States,害羞草研究所� Dodson said. 害羞草研究所淲e just seem to have a good situation up here for talent and developing talent. Maybe because it害羞草研究所檚 so cold in the winter we just spend a lot of time in the basement recording.害羞草研究所�

While the industry may have evolved, Dodson said they害羞草研究所檙e still the same old Stampeders.

害羞草研究所淐ome check out the old guys when they害羞草研究所檙e still jumping around, and the clock is ticking,害羞草研究所� Dodson laughed. 害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e just kids. We害羞草研究所檙e 70, but we害羞草研究所檙e just older kids.害羞草研究所�

The Stampeders rock the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre April 7 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $65 and are available through the Ticket Seller, 250-549-7469, . The Kelowna performance is slated for 7:30 p.m. at the Kelowna Community Theatre April 8. Tickets are $65 and are available through Select Your Tickets, 250-762-5050, .