It was the first of two sold out shows this week at our Mae Wilson Theatre at the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre.  Burton Cummings, who will be 71 years old on New Year's Eve, left it all on the stage after nearly 2 hours of singing and playing for his fellow Moose Javians!

Cummings, who has been living with us in The Friendly City for close to a year now, made it clear to the local fans that Moose Jaw is his "new hometown" and he enjoys the lifestyle we all enjoy here.

I had only seen him play live on one occasion and that was back in the early 80s during The Guess Who "Reunion Tour", a concert many predicted would never happen.  It was a show I'll never forget.  Last night, however, was different.  It was ALL Burton.  Just him and his piano on a beautifully decorated stage at our historic Cultural Centre. 

Burton told stories.  He talked about his mom and his love for her.  He talked about his love for the late Wolfman Jack, the famous American disc jockey Burton became close with after The Guess Who made "7 or 8 appearances on the show", Wolfman's "Midnight Special".

Burton also stopped the show to talk about his recently published book of poetry and presented a copy to Sarah Simison, the Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Festival of Words.  Sarah just happened to be sitting next to me with her father, Greg, when Burton called her up to the stage for the presentation..  She was absolutely thrilled.

Burton Cummings will play another sold out show on Friday night at the Mae Wilson Theatre.  If you have tickets, I can tell you, you'll never forget this show.  It's close, it's personal, it's Burton Cummings.

See the complete setlist below.

--Rob Carnie

SETLIST - Burton Cummings - December 19th, 2018 - Moose Jaw Cultural Centre

1.   Saved My Soul

2.   Sour Suite

3.   Clap for the Wolfman

4.   Laughing

5.   No Sugar / New Mother Nature

6.   Maggie Mae (Rod Stewart / Gordon Lightfoot impersonation)

7.   Mack the Knife (Bobby Darin)

8.   Stand Tall

9.   Albert Flasher

10.  Smoke Gets in Your Eyes (The Platters)

11.  No Time

12.  Ferry Cross the Mersey (Gerry & the Pacemakers)

13.  Undone

14.  Break it to Them Gently

15.  Dream of a Child

ENCORE

16.  Runnin' Back to Saskatoon

17.  Share the Land