YORKTON - There was at least a small Yorkton connection to the recent Juno Awards.
Blues man Big Dave McLean was presented with the 2025 Juno Award for Blues Album of the Year for his latest album, This Old Life, released on Victoria-based indie label Cordova Bay Records. It was his first win in six nominations.
McLean, 72, was born in Yorkton back in 1952 to a concert pianist mother, and a Presbyterian minister father, living in the city for four years, before moving to Moose Jaw until age 18, and then to Winnipeg where he has remained.
As for the recent Juno McLean took the award in stride.
“I’ve never gave it too much thought,” he said, adding he doesn’t sing the blues for awards. “I wasn’t trying to win an award. I was just trying to make good music.”
And, then McLean became a bit more reflective.
“It’s wonderful to be recognized for your work,” he conceded regarding the Juno award.
That said, McLean added any of the finalist nominees would have been a worthy recipient.
“They’re fantastic,” he said.
So did McLean feel he had it just right when he was finished recording This Old Life?
“I think I get it right every time,” he offered, adding “I knew it was a good album.”
Of course McLean seems so well-suited to the blues, with a voice that has that road gravel feel people will remember from past Painted Hand Casino shows in Yorkton.
“It’s been gravely from the get go,” he said, adding with age he does perhaps get more attention of respect, probably in-part because “there’s not so many old blues guys.”
At the same time he’s an old blues guy with no plans to retire.
In fact, McLean works on his craft almost every day.
“I practice every day up in my room. I’m never going to stop learning, When you stop learning is when you should retire,” he said.
“. . . It’s the music I’m in love with.”
