TORONTO – Canadian country-folk legend Stompin’ Tom Connors says he wants to perform at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver, but doesn’t know if he’ll get the call.
“I’d love to do it, either the opening or the closing, I think it’d be a great honour,” Connors told The Canadian Press in a telephone interview from his home in Halton Hills, Ont.
“I’m just rarin’ to go but I’m just waiting to be asked.”
The 73-year-old, who begins another Canadian tour next week, said he has already made steps to try to get involved in the Olympics.
“I know my promoter is trying to fish around to see who he can find or … see if he can work it out to get me on there,” Connors said.
He might not have reason to worry just yet. A spokesperson for VANOC said Connors could still get the call.
“We haven’t finished talking to everybody who is going to be invited, he shouldn’t worry about that, we’re still working on that part,” said Dave Guscott, VP of celebrations.
“He can hold out hope.”
As far as Connors’s qualifications go, he proudly points to his patriotism. The endlessly prolific artist has written more songs about Canada than anyone else, he says.
“I don’t know of anybody out there who’s really writing a song about a place in Canada and what goes on in that place,” he said.
He even penned “The Olympic Song,” which he updated with a Vancouver-specific verse for last year’s “The Ballad of Stompin’ Tom,” his 50th album.
“From Vancouver town to Whistler Mountain, they’ll be found/ Our champions, and the medals they will claim/ When each hero dons their silver, gold or bronze/ Our history shall record their famous names,” he sings in the song.
For now, Connors says all he can do is wait to hear whether he’ll be included.
“I think it’d be a great honour, but it’s a pipe dream, and if they don’t ask, I suppose I can’t go,” he said.
“But I’ve had pipe dreams come true before in my life.”
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With files from Canadian Press reporter Stephanie Levitz in Vancouver.
