Tim Hicks and his band, successfully touring their new country-rockish album 5:01, will be appearing Friday night at the CRIR music festival in Strathmore. GC had the chance to talk to him about new music success, Tim Horton’s, as well as diversity and acceptance in country music.

GC: Instrumentally, what did you play on this new record?

TH: Actually, I just sang on this album. Nashville is rooted in tradition, and I don’t think they take kindly to people changing that (laughs). So often in country we’ll use session musicians. I’ve played a lot in [recording] studios before: it just worked out; budget-wise and timing-wise, to have someone else to play. Otherwise, live, I play acoustic guitar, electric guitar; piano was my first instrument.

GC: That seems kind of old school – music business-wise.

TH: It is! And it’s kind of hard to wrap your head around having two bands as well, because your ‘band’ in the studio is usually attached to your producer. . .  whose job is to oversee the vision of the music. And what they say is I’ve worked with these guys before: I’m comfortable with them; we speak the same language.

I never have any qualms with whomever anybody picks; they’re all great players in Nashville. And separate from that you have your touring band. I’ve have the same guys in the band, some of them . . .  for 10 years or more at this point, which is really fun, because we’ve played everything from backyard parties, to chicken-wing bars, to arenas now, together. And we have these moments onstage, especially my bass-player Doug, ‘cause he kind of roams around. And he’ll come up and be yelling in my ear: How did we get here?! So it’s just so much fun for us – having been in the trenches together.

Tim talks about the details of ‘Music Row’: rows of music publishing houses in Nashville, and the trappings of music industry business details; the writing and A&R and management people ("That sit around a table and talk like you’re not there," he says, with equanimity).

TH: It can be intimidating as well – I’ve been my own master for so long – all these managers, and label people, and marketing people, and everyone chiming in; I’ve learned to really look to them for advice [but], at the end of the day, they let me choose, so I do have that control.

GC is VERY happy that Tim Hicks’ song, "Stronger Beer" (with a million views online), mentions the superiority of Tim Horton’s

TH: That was a song that was never meant for anyone to hear, other than (one of my managers) who’s from West Virginia: we call him an honourary Canadian. I was in Nashville, and my co-writer picked me up and I said On the way to the studio, I’d like to hit a Shoppers’ and get a pack of Smarties for while we work, and he said Man, I have no idea what you just said. [We kidded each other a bit], and when I explained that in the CFL we use a bigger ball and a longer field, he said Oh man, too easy! We have to write this song! For a joke! And I sent it in to (the manager) Denny, expecting fully for him to call me or email me back, saying Ha Ha. Funny guys. Now get to work! Instead the call is: We love it! You’re gonna cut it!

GC: Okay, so how can country music and rodeo be gay-friendly and diversity promoting?

TH: I’m honoured to be part of [the CRIR event organized by the Alberta Rockies Gay Rodeo Association]. I think that it’s time for a thing like this to happen. It seems to me that country music, and the whole diversity of people around that, is changing and becoming more receptive.

It’s 2015! EVERYONE should be accepted at ANY kind of music festival. Music is meant to be universal. It shouldn’t be compartmentalized, and just because it’s country music doesn’t mean it belongs to straight people! To me, it belongs to humans, which is everybody.

I’m proud to be a part of it, and I know it’s going to be an incredible party! . . . It’s unique and it’s exciting, because everyone should be included in every event, and not feel like, because they’re gay/lesbian/bi that, ‘Oh, I can’t be myself at the Calgary Stampede’. I just think that’s silly in this day and age. I think people should be allowed to be who they are, regardless of who they are . . . I can’t wait to get out there and cause a riot!

Tebey, Kira Isabella, Tim Hicks and Ty Herndon party Friday night at the CRIR. Be sure to bring Tim some Timbits: a mixed 20 pack is a true sign of diversity!