Stampeders

The Sweet City Woman Songfacts says: The Stampeders hail from Calgary, Alberta, Canada starting out in 1964 with the name The Rebounds. After some milling about with lineup and name changes, they gelled into the trio of Rich Dodson, Ronnie King, and Kim Berly. Thanks to the interest of Canadian TV producer Mel Shaw, who managed the band, they got a few spots on variety TV shows. Their first break was "Carry Me," an acoustic number that scored #1 on the Canadian Adult Contemporary and garnered the group their first gold single.

Just before releasing Against the Grain, the group had managed to sign with Quality Records under the tutelage of producer Terry Brown.

They became one of Canada's top rock groups in the early 70's, winning Juno Awards in the categories 'Best Group,' 'Best Single,' 'Best Producer' and 'Best Composer' for their platinum single, SWEET CITY WOMAN. Their other hits include CARRY ME, DEVIL YOU, WILD EYES, OH MY LADY, THEN CAME THE WHITE MAN, MINSTREL GYPSY, PLAYING IN THE BAND, HIT THE ROAD JACK, NEW ORLEANS, MONDAY MORNING CHOO CHOO and KEEP ME RUNNING WILD, to name just a few.

Between 1971 and 1976, the group were a household name, with four songs reaching Top-30 in the U.S and ten Top-5 singles in Canada. They recorded nine albums, many achieving gold and platinum status. SWEET CITY WOMAN has since become a classic and a standard in the world of pop music. In a recent poll, it was voted one of the Top-10 most-recognizable songs of the 70's. The Stampeders are currently recording a new C.D., soon due for release.

In 1972, the band was awarded Holland's prestigious 'EDISON AWARD' along with RY COODER and CARL WILSON of THE BEACH BOYS, during a televised award show with an estimated audience of over 30-million viewers throughout Europe. In 1991, THE STAMPEDERS had the honour of being inducted into the Alberta Recording Association's "Hall of Fame," and in 1994, they were inducted into the Calgary Rock Hall Of Fame. Also, in 1994, RICH DODSON was inducted into the SOCAN Hall of Fame for his compositions, SWEET CITY WOMAN and CARRY ME along with KIM BERLY for his composition OH MY LADY.


From 1970 to 1977, the band completed six (6) tours across Canada and performed extensively
in Europe, South America (representing Canada at the Brazilian Song Festival to an estimated audience of 90-million viewers) and the U.S. with acts like SANTANA, THE BEACH BOYS, THE EAGLES, MOUNTAIN, Z.Z. TOP, RUSH, BLACK OAK ARKANSAS, ROBIN TROWER, SONNY & CHER, AMERICA, EARTH WIND & FIRE, JOE COCKER, STEELEY DAN, BLOOD SWEAT & TEARS, THE JAMES GANG and GENESIS, just to name a few. According to promoter DONALD K. DONALD, they were the top Canadian concert draw from 1971 to '74, and were the first Canadian band to tour from one end of the country to the other.

THE STAMPEDERS can also be credited with having some of the first rock 'videos' by a Canadian act, five of which are included in a one-hour video entitled "CANADA'S COUNTRY-ROCK LEGENDS - THE STAMPEDERS."

They made numerous TV appearances, including their own one-hour CBC special, "A SHORT VISIT TO PLANET EARTH," THE JUNO AWARDS, CBC'S ?MISS TEEN CANADA?, NBC'S ?THE DATING GAME?, the ?SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. AMERICAN SONG FESTIVAL?, KENNY ROGERS' ?ROLLING DOWN THE RIVER,? and the U.S.-originated, "DON KIRSHNER'S ROCK CONCERT?.

Television appearances have included ?THE CCMA AWARDS?, ?THE DINI PETTY SHOW?, CBC NEWSWORLD'S ?PETRIE IN PRIME? and features on MUCHMUSIC'S ?BACKTRACKS WITH TERRY DAVID MULLIGAN.?

With over three hundred and fifty (350) reunion concerts to their credit and a brand-new live album, ?Live At The Mae Wilson? (MPL-CD-11001) on Marigold Records/E1 Music, to the delight of their dedicated fans old and new alike, THE STAMPEDERS ARE BACK!