Music Reviews
Dec-Jan 2004
Music of the West
Sing and Swing
By Hugh McLennan
SAVE THE FARM
Jim Reader & Ben Crane
 Drastic times call for drastic measures. Well-known Alberta musicians and cowboys, Jim Reader and Ben Crane, have released a CD single that pulls no punches in lamenting the black hole the politics of international trade have plunged Canada's cattle industry into.
I don't know what the situation will be by the time you read this, but as I write it we've been gathering hundreds of calves and yearlings from the summer ranges, spending long days on good horses sorting calves from cows, steers from heifers, big ones from small ones, then wondering what the heck to do with them. Canada's small population can't begin to consume the volume of beef produced by the very efficient Canadian Cattle industry for over a decade we've developed export markets that the industry depends on. Since those doors have been slammed shut as of May 20, 2003, the domino effect is continuing. If you'd like to get a sense of how Canadian ranchers are being impacted, listen to this song.
"Cattle are our backbone, now the proof is in your face, c'mon stop all these border games, our cattle here are safe."
Words and music to "Save The Farm" were written by Jim Reader. The track is produced by Ben Crane and Jim Reader, lead vocals by Jim Reader, back up vocal harmonies, Ben Crane. Jim supplies his masterful guitar work while Ben supplies dobro, congas, shaker and bass tracks.
Ben and Jim looked at each other and said this is a case of "let's just do it" and they did. As Jim says, if music defines our culture this is a pretty timely song.
For more information about "Save The Farm, contact Jim Reader at jim@heartsofthewest.com
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