I was lucky enough to hear Stan Rogers live in Alberta in 1980. He was one of the folk performers that toured the province in celebration of the 75th anniversary of Alberta entering Confederation. It was a wonderful warm summer evening at the open-air band shell at Kin Coulee Park in Medicine Hat. I had not heard of Stan at that time, but was immediately impressed by his music and general presence. Canada has only just recently appointed a Poet Laureate. I have always thought that the true Canadian Poets Laureate are our songwriters, and first among them, Stan Rogers.

—Chuck Meagher