All Aboard! Acclaimed Blues Singer/Guitarist Colin James to Perform on the 18th Edition of the Canadian Pacific Railway’s Holiday Train with Stops Throughout the U.S. Midwest

Acclaimed Blues Singer/Guitarist Colin James to Perform on the 18th Edition of the Canadian Pacific Railway’s Holiday Train with Stops Throughout the U.S. Midwest

TORONTO, ON - Six-time Juno Award-winning singer/guitarist/songwriter Colin James, whose new CD, Blue Highways, was released on October 14 via True North Records, will perform on the 18^th edition of the Canadian Pacific Railway’s Holiday Train that has stops planned throughout the U.S. Midwest during the first two weeks of December.

“Since I was a child I’ve always been romantic about the railway,” says Colin James. “Spending a couple weeks on a train and pulling into some of these idyllic towns will not only be a new experience for me, but a fantastic way to ring in the Christmas season.”

At each stop on the Holiday Train’s schedule, the beautifully decorated and lighted train pulls up and one side of a box car opens to reveal a music stage with the band ready to entertain the crowds who flock to see it each year and also bring along food to donate to local food banks. Besides Colin James, all Holiday Train stops in the US will also feature Canadian country music artist Kelly Prescott.

The Holiday Train has become a highly-anticipated annual rite of passage for families all along the route stretching from Canada down to the United States & brings together children of all ages to celebrate the season, bringing joy and goodwill as swell as supporting local community food banks and raising awareness. At each stop along the way, Colin James will perform a 30 minute set of music that includes both holiday favorites as well as his own songs.

To watch an informative video about the Holiday Train click here: https://vimeo.com/150278345

As in years past, two trains will operate coast-to-coast under the Holiday Train banner, with approximately 150 shows held in November and December. The train that operates primarily through the U.S. will launch in the Montreal area on Nov. 25, while the all-Canada train's first shows will come a day later, also in Montreal. The U.S. train will complete its final shows in Saskatchewan on Dec. 15, and the final show of the tour will take place Dec. 17 at Port Coquitlam, B.C.

"We are very excited about this year's CP Holiday Train and are encouraging all event attendees to bring healthy, nutritious food items to the shows," said Pam Jolliffe, Interim Executive Director, Food Banks Canada. "For the last two decades, CP has played an integral role in raising essential food for the holidays and in raising awareness of hunger-related issues." ​

Every pound of food and dollar raised at each stop stays with the local food bank to help feed those in need in that community. 

Colin James’ new CD, Blue Highways was co-produced by Colin and Dave Meszaros (Wake Owl, Old Man Canyon) and recorded at The Warehouse Studios in Vancouver. The new album pays tribute to some of Colin’s long-time blues idols, including Howlin’ Wolf, Jimmy Reed, Freddie King, Jr. Wells,  Buddy Guy, Peter Green, Robert Johnson and William Bell to name a few.