While mainstream, commercial airplay has eluded him, Stompin' Tom Connors has nonetheless endured as one of Canada's greatest iconoclasts. Musically, his influence is most profoundly seen in a current crop of Alberta singer-songwriters unashamed to write about where they're from, most notably Tim Hus and Corb Lund.

"I've been noticing that, I think it's healthy for Alberta, and healthy for the country," Connors said. "I've been saying that for so many years. I think it would be a great trend to have the songwriters of this country writing about this country. It gives our kids a chance to wake up in the morning and whistle a Canadian song, with words going through their head about their own native land and the things that they know. The Americans have been doing it for years. I think these guys like Hus and Lund are catchin' on to the trick, and I think it's a great sign."

STOMPIN' TOM CONNORS