With less than an hour’s notice, Kelowna-based country artist Mitch Zorn went from relaxing at home with his girlfriend — waiting for sushi delivery — to performing in front of 3,000 people.
On the evening of May 9, about an hour before the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band concert was set to begin at Kelowna's Prospera Place, Zorn got a call from an unknown number. The band's opener Kathleen Edwards, had fallen ill and organizers were wondering if Zorn could be on-stage for sound check in 30 minutes.
Zorn said that after agreeing to the last-minute performance he turned to his girlfriend and said; "Cancel the order, I just got asked to open for the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band," and the pair jumped into action.
Zorn said he had no set list, no time to prepare and no time to think.
"I just put on my boots, went out there and gave 'er my best."
Without a set-list or time to prepare, Zorn decided he was just going to play every song on his upcoming unreleased album.
"The crowd was so receptive. I played Dancing in the Dark by Bruce Springsteen and they went insane," said Zorn.
While being asked to sing in front of thousands of people at a moment's notice is certainly anxiety-inducing, Zorn said that he has been playing and performing for two decades years, and country music is in his blood.
"It was nerve-wracking obviously, but it is something that I've been working on for like 20 years. Opportunities like these are the kinds of things you're working towards."
Zorn said that at just eight years old, he played in a country music band with his father, and recounted how family gatherings often involve performances as nearly all of his relatives play an instrument or sing.
"This is something I've dreamed about my entire life. So this is such an amazing experience, and I was definitely fighting some tears out there.”
For those interested in catching Zorn in a pre-planned performance, he will be playing at Red Bird on Sunday May 18. Prizes will be awarded to the best-dressed attendee at the event.
