Last but far from lease, Tim and the Glory Boys. One of two veteran musicians taking part in this years SiriusXM Top of the Country competition. Tim is a Canadian singer, songwriter and recording artist from Winnipeg, Manitoba and now based in Abbotsford, British Columbia, best known as the co-founder and lead singer of Starfield who are four-time Juno Award nominees, Western Canada Music award recipients, winners of 10 GMA Canada Covenant Awards (CGMA) and two Dove Awards. Neufeld’s first solo album, Trees, won the 2014 Juno Award for Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year as well as the award for the 2013 CGMA Modern Worship Album of the Year. Neufeld and the Canadian bluegrass trio, The Glory Boys, embarked on the Trees Tour in which the band performed in 60+ Canadian cities. Neufeld’s second album, The Joy, was released in September 2014 and earned him a 2015 Juno nomination.
We caught up with Tim Neufeld in the midst of their Buffalo Roadshow tour.
SCE: Tim you’re no stranger to the music business. Your career started out with Starfield about 18 years ago where you won multiple GMA Canada Covenant Awards, landed several JUNO Nominations to name just a few. As a solo artist you’ve picked up more GMA Awards, 2 JUNO Awards and numerous more nominations. How will the Top of Country competition help you spread your message?
Tim: I’ve had the privilege of a long career in music, but I’ve NEVER taken it for granted. The TOTC nod, to even just be included alongside all these other talented and emerging artists is a massive deal for the boys and I. More than the prize money, or the opportunities that might follow possibly winning this thing, we’re just so grateful for the chance to compete.
SCE: You just wrapped up a massive 8 month Canadian tour called the Buffalo Road Show which saw you visit almost every corner of Canada, you’re getting ready to hit the road on a Starfield Reunion Tour later this month. If you could perform on any stage in the world or at any festival where would you perform?
Tim: To be honest, it’s the stages we get to play night after night on The Buffalo Roadshow. It’s the 100 year old theatres, high school gymnasiums, and old country churches in every province and territory across this great country that make us so damn proud to be Canadian boys, doing what we love, with the best fans on the planet.
SCE: If you could own any make, model or style of vehicle what would you own?
Tim: A Candy Apple red 1976 Corvette Stingray. It was on a poster on my wall as a kid, and the dream has never died. It will be mine… Oh yes, it will be mine.
SCE: Favourite TV show (all-time)?
Tim: The Office. British and American versions. Can we get a reboot please?! Too soon?? I’ll wait.
SCE: If you could tour with any artist, of any genre, (living or deak) who would it be?
Tim: Elvis. As a band, on the bus, after shows, we’ve recently been watching all the Elvis clips we can find on YouTube, and we’ve been mesmerized. He was a GIANT on the stage, a pure entertainer that so effortlessly worked a crowd, you forget he was a real dude that was legendary in his generosity and hospitality.
SCE: iPhone, Android or Pixel?
Tim: iPhone.
SCE: Your ideal brain food?
Tim: Coffee beans: dried, roasted, ground up, and served in hot water.
SCE: Stress management: hit man, spa vacation or Prozac?
Tim: Snowmobiling in the BC mountains with the boys. Or, dropping a fishing line in any BC river or lake. Or, walking the dog (Lord Stanley).
SCE: If you could be any superhero who would you be?
Tim: It’s really all about what you have to do in the off-season. Spider-Man? A freelance photographer. Ummm no thanks. Mr. Incredible? a claims adjuster. I’ll pass. Tony Stark and Bruce Wayne on the other hand? Brilliant Billionaire playboys. Yes please.
SCE: Multiple Part Question: Star Trek or Star Wars? If Star Trek pick from the following (Original series, TNG, Deep Space Nine, Voyageur, Enterprise, Discovery or all of them I’m a Trekkie). If Star Wars pick from the following (original trilogy, second trilogy (aka Episodes I-III), third trilogy, spin offs, or all of them I love Star Wars and I’ll watch it as long as it has the words Star Wars on it)
Tim: Star Trek (mostly the original, and a little TNG). Because, our father also indulged. It was one of the only non-religious shows we were allowed to watch as kids (who knows why? Kirk womanized his way through every episode, even the aliens were fair game).
SCE: In “Tim and the Glory Boys, Our Story” – The Movie, who would play you?
Tim: My celebrity ‘look-alike’ is pretty consistently Jason Bateman. And I play a similar family role with my extended crew as He does with the Bluth’s. Of course, he’s also much better looking. It wouldn’t make much sense to pick someone less attractive would it? Haha
SCE: What’s been the highlight of your career to date?
Tim: The Buffalo Roadshow. When it’s completed, we’ll have trekked our way through every province and territory in Canada. 150+ cities and towns, with another 30+ American dates, and 20+ International. We’re currently about halfway through and every night has been magical!
SCE: Many artists we’ve worked with have crazy pre-show traditions or superstitions, if you will, that they must partake in before they’ll set foot on the stage. What is a must for you before every show?
Tim: We have a giant mounted buffalo head on stage as part of our production, named Doug McKenzie. He wears a 100 year old cow bell from an Ontario dairy farm that we all need to touch before a show begins.
SCE: Take a moment to tell country fans across Canada why they should come and vote for you to be Canada’s next Top Country Star!
Tim: We is what we is. Country fans should vote for us if they dig the music!
SCE: When the dust clears on Top of The Country and your busy touring schedule what does the next year hold for Tim and the Glory Boys?
Tim: As much family time as we can get! Hunting, Fishing, dirt bikes, Motor-Boatin, cul-de-sac parties, sun rise / sunburn / sunset /repeat!
If you want to learn more about these talented Canadian boys definitely check them out here: https://www.timandthegloryboys.com/
The only way they can win the SiriusXM Top of the Country title is if you go and vote for them, voting ends later on today so make your vote count here: https://topcountry.siriusxm.ca
