For musician Robert Larrabee, it isn’t imitation that is the highest form of flattery – it’s tribute.
With a repertoire of 30 to 40 musical voices of the past century in his back pocket, Larrabee pays tribute to the likes of Neil Diamond, Buddy Holly, Elvis, Roy Orbison and the Rat Pack with his one-man act An Evening With the Legends.
Bow Valley residents can take in the entertaining tribute show next Thursday (April 3) at Cornerstone Theatre as a fundraiser for the Canmore Hospital Ladies Auxiliary.
Larrabee said the audience should be prepared to be entertained and laugh – his performance is interactive and theatrical, as he has a background in dinner theatre.
“Laugh with me, laugh at me, it doesn’t matter, just laugh and have fun because that is what it is about,” he said. “This is a tribute with creative licence – this is the Rob Larrabee show.”
Larrabee is a musician in his own right as well as a tribute artist. He has been recording music in Nashville for the past several years and in 2013 released the polished country album Middle of Something.
While his tribute show covers everything from George Jones to Tom Jones, he also performs his own songs as well.
With an extensive list of artists he pays tribute to, Larrabee said he waits until he gets a feel for the audience to decide his set list for the night.
“Basically, I fly by the seat of my pants,” he said. “I will rehearse for two to three days beforehand, basically all the artists I do, by singing around the house and refreshing.
“Then I get there and see the audience and I will put a show together on the spot.”
The Ladies Auxiliary are using the proceeds of the fundraiser to purchase an under-body patient warmer, which costs $9,000 and is on the Canmore Hospital’s wish list.
President Renate Grob-Holtzherr said the organization likes to bring a different musical act to the community each spring as a fundraiser.
“We want to have different entertainers – we don’t want to stay the same every year,” she said. “(Larrabee) does a Vegas-style show and we figured that was a different style show to bring to town.”
Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at Sobeys on Friday (March 28) or at Café Books. They can also be purchased by contacting Grob-Holtzherr at 403-493-0500 or Dorothy Ford at 403-678-6754.
Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. with a cash bar, homemade goodies and coffee.
