About Glenna Switzer and the Blackwater Band

Glenna and the Blackwater Band have entertained the crowds at everything from Music Festivals and Homecomings to the Canadian Cowboy Association Rodeo finals. Her years of performing with Backroads, and now, Blackwater have put her alongside some of western Canada's best known acts, such as The Johner Brothers and Julian Austin. She clearly understands the balance of professionalism with the client and dynamic performance for the audience. With Glenna Switzer, you can always count on great music and a memorable show!

Growing up an only child on a Saskatchewan farm, Glenna’s love of music developed as an escape from an otherwise lonely childhood. She found her best friends on the records she begged her mother to buy. As the only musician in her extended family, Glenna feels her music education has always been an uphill climb. “While most musical families can jam at family functions, I was always alone at the piano,” recalls Glenna.

Her musical journey continued at the University of Saskatchewan where she studied under Robin Harrison. Harrison encouraged Glenna by saying, "You’ll appreciate it more, because you've had to fight for every note.” As difficult as things got she clung to her passion.

This passion brought her through 15 years of piano studies and these past 22 years of being a piano teacher. She has played at countless weddings, funerals, festivals, dances and shows. She also has been very successful with her vocals despite no formal training, and has been compared to Martina McBride and Shania Twain.

The Stampeders and Glen Campbell acted as her early influences, but Glenna has never been able to put her finger on her favorite type of music. “Being a piano player, I grew up thinking Jerry Lee Lewis was something of a God.” But her vast list of favorites also includes George Strait, Bob Seger, Elton John, and Beethoven. Glenna’s love of traditional country began the day George Strait came on the scene.

Glenna is very proud of the fact that she can trace her piano teachers all the way back to J.S. Bach, but she’ll also drive 600 miles to a Bruce Springsteen concert. “I just love the guitar rock of Springsteen, Mellencamp, and John Fogerty. They are all cut from the same cloth.” Glenna began enjoying country music with the rebel country of Hank Jr. and Waylon. “I still enjoy that. For example, I think Steve Earle’s song writing is brilliant.”

Her love of Rock N’ Roll is never far away. “It seems I love anybody from Britain. Paul McCartney, Rod Stewart, Eric Clapton, and the Rolling Stones. The list goes on and on. I pick and choose what I like from all avenues of music and this is what I like to bring to the band. A lot of the country today is like the 70s rock I grew up with. I was a huge Eagles fan and I can hear their influence in a lot of today’s country.”

In Blackwater, you won’t get 40 two-steps in a row. You will hear everything from a Schottische to Eagle’s rock songs.

So where do you start to build a repertoire when your musical tastes are from almost every genre of music? "The line is not so distinct anymore between the music of different generations," says Glenna. "Blackwater tries to accommodate that. I hear my teenage son playing Brooks and Dunn in his room, but I would love to take him to a Nickelback concert. It would be interesting to see who would enjoy it more!”

“People say to me that I am very lucky to have something in my life I’m passionate about and can make a living at. I believe this is true!”

Glenna divides her time between teaching music and playing in her band on the weekends which fits well with family commitments. Her husband Blaine (Champion CCA and MRCA Calfroper), her son Matt, 2004 Sask. High School Rodeo Association (SHSRA) champion calfroper, and daughter Jillian all attend CCA, MRCA, High School and Little Britches Rodeos. "While they are ropin, I'm singing" says Glenna.

Glenna handles most of the public relations for the group. A hard worker with an innate sense for detail, she’ll do everything in her power to make the occasion successful.

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This fine group of professional musicians are inspired by a vision to create an entertaining, well-rounded show that pleases audiences of all ages.

Photo: GLENNA SWITZER AND the BLACKWATER BAND performing @ Swift Current Bronco Home Opener

About GLENNA SWITZER