Jimmy Rankin says he loves travelling to and performing in places in Canada that he hasn't been before.
And that's what the folk-country music star is now doing on a tour that will see him perform in Hay River on Oct. 22.
The tour was scheduled to begin Oct. 14 in Fort Smith.
"I've never been to the smaller communities in the NWT, so this is a special experience for me," Rankin said in response to emailed questions from The Hub. "I'm really excited to bring my music to those for whom I've never played live. It'll be a great night of music, song and fun."
His performance in Hay River at Our Lady of Assumption Roman Catholic Church has sold out its 150 available tickets.
"I will be doing an acoustic show featuring songs from my new album, Moving East, as well as songs from my previous solo recordings and classics from my days with The Rankin Family," said Rankin. "It's a lively upbeat show – at times raucous and rowdy mixed with some mellow acoustic moments."
The performer described the show as kind of like an old-fashioned kitchen party.
"I enjoy playing both small and large venues and I've done the gamut," he said. "I grew up in a rural, remote community in Cape Breton, so I can relate to those who live in isolated, smaller communities in the NWT. Smaller is more intimate and personal."
Rankin is also looking forward to experiencing the lifestyle and culture of the smaller communities in the NWT.
"I'm very interested in learning more about Indigenous cultures and smaller communities," he said.
Along with Hay River and Fort Smith, Rankin will be performing in Yellowknife, Inuvik and Norman Wells.
His show in Hay River will be the final one on the tour being presented by Yellowknife's Northern Arts & Cultural Centre (NACC).
Marie Coderre, artistic and executive director of NACC, said there is excitement in the communities about Rankin's concerts.
"People are really, really looking forward to having him there," she said. "It's great."
Coderre noted that Rankin will give a presentation at Diamond Jenness Secondary School during his visit to Hay River.
"It's about his life as an artist," she said. "How he became an artist. How they can become an artist, too, these students, if they really want to do that as a living one day. We want to show them that it's possible to be an artist and they can be creative and also have a passion."
Rankin has enjoyed a long and successful career, both as a member of the famed Rankin Family, which won six Juno Awards and as a solo performer.