Local Airdrie teacher and musician performs 20 Stampede shows

Teacher by day, country music star by night – Airdrie Elementary School teacher Brandon Lorenzo has performed 20 shows at the Calgary Stampede for the past two weeks, averaging three or four shows a day.

“The Stampede is always fun because a lot of people get together for country music, they get together for rodeo, just western hospitality,” Lorenzo said. “I think it was just a great week overall.”

Born and raised in Calgary, Lorenzo has been a resident of Airdrie for 13 years and has just completed his first year of teaching at a local elementary school, where he is excited to begin his second year of his teaching career this fall.

During the 10-day Calgary Stampede Rodeo, Lorenzo said the biggest venue he played in was the opening for Tim and the Glory Boys at the Whiskey Rose Saloon on July 13, as well as the opening for Gord. Bamford.

He also entertained Stampede guests on the West Stage on the rodeo grounds and provided music for the Stampede kick-off breakfast.

Lorenzo’s set list includes a mix of covers and original songs written by the Airdrie resident. In fact, Lorenzo recently released a new single titled another picture of you.

“It was actually funny that we were able to open for Gord Bamford because he actually pitched the [new] song,” added Lorenzo.

“It’s really cool that there are people who come to the concerts and know every word of every song I’ve released.”

Incorporating steel guitar and fiddles, Lorenzo brings a modern twist to his music to suit the style of country music today.

“I’m very influenced by 90s and early 2000s country, so I always try to incorporate that authentic country sound that you hear,” Lorenzo explained.

The Airdrie teacher has been involved in music since a young age. He was trained as an opera singer at the Royal Conservatory of Music by a couple who sang at the Russian Opera.

After picking up a guitar seven years ago, Lorenzo has been playing country music ever since because he was drawn to the way country music tells stories and he thought it was time to start telling his own stories at across gender.

“I kind of transitioned into country music and that’s how we started and how we’ve grown ever since,” he said. “Now we’re doing country music at the Stampede.”

Before giving a show, Lorenzo and his band arrive at the venue and do a sound check, then they discuss the stage performance planned for the night.

“We come [dive] right and we’re having a great time,” Lorenzo said. “As long as the crowd is feeding off the energy and having a good time, then we’re having a good time.”

Lorenzo said his favorite part of the performance is always the person having fun on stage and seeing the crowd smile and dance.

“You are literally the person having fun, whatever the occasion, whatever group is there and that’s what matters the most,” he added.

“It’s just an unreal feeling…it’s just one of those things where it’s kind of like something is overwhelming me and I kind of forget about my personal life for the three hours that I’m on. scene, something takes over and it’s just electric.”

According to Lorenzo, he has very big plans in the works but unfortunately he couldn’t share the details.

In the long term, he hopes to go on tour at some point, even as an opening act.

“At least let’s get to the point where we can have some other big opportunities and I think it comes down here for us,” he said.

Lorenzo’s next show is July 29 at the Gray Eagle Resort and Casino, where he will open for Randy Houser. Tickets for the show can be purchased at bit.ly/3IML3fP.

Brandon Lorenzo can be found on Facebook and Instagram. He also has his own website, which can be found at bit.ly/3v2eLHX. Lorenzo’s music is available on all major streaming services, like Apple Music and Spotify.