An Interview With Award-winning Performer Jason Scott
By Rossland Telegraph
You won’t need to ask “Who’s Jason Scott?” if you’ve seen the posters around town with a mature, hunky-looking guy in a sparkly red shirt, advertising his upcoming show honouring Neil Diamond at the Rossland Legion on March 17 — yes, St. Patrick’s Day.
Scott will be appearing in “Diamond Mountain,” a feature-length documentary being released in Las Vegas during the third week in April at a three-day celebration of Neil Diamond called “DiamondFest 2016.” The event will also include live performances by Scott and the other tribute artists.
In 2011, Scott won the “Best Platinum Showcase Award” of the Sunburst Convention of Celebrity Tribute Artists, and the second-place trophy in the 2nd Annual Las Vegas Tribute Idol contest. In 2012, he won a “Reel Award” in the Pop and Rock category. And in 2014, Scott was chosen as the only Canadian tribute artist for the documentary “Diamond Mountain.”
Scott spoke with the Rossland Telegraph and explained that he doesn’t intend to, or try to, impersonate Neil Diamond — rather, his act is intended to honour Diamond. When asked how he came to develop this act, Scott went back in his history, to a time when he was a lead singer for a band that was in the early stages of recording an album when the producer, Brian McLeod, died. The album died with the producer, and Scott’s music career hit the pause button. He filled in by managing a bar.
Then, fast-forward to a dinner out with some friends, and after dinner, a visit to a karaoke bar.
“Why don’t you sing, Jason? Do this song by Neil Diamond, OK?”
When Scott got up to sing, he had his back to the crowded pub so he could read the words of the song on a screen. Elsewhere in the pub, TV screens were showing a hockey game, with the sound off. A few lines into the song, Scott heard the crowd suddenly cheering and clapping, and his immediate thought was that the Canucks had scored a goal – so he turned around to check, and realized that the cheering was for his performance; he was getting a standing ovation.
When asked how Rossland got into his itinerary, Scott explained that he has known Tom Jones, who has an extensive background in the entertainment industry, for many years; Jones now volunteers as the entertainment manager for the Rossland branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, and asked Scott if he’d be willing to do a show here.
Don’t expect to just sit there and listen — Scott describes his show as “highly interactive.” There will be singing along by the audience and other audience participation, and he hinted at a dance contest. He uses a wireless mic and spends time roaming among audience members.
It should be a lively time.
March 17, the Rossland Legion at 2081 Washington Street. Get tickets ($20) at the Legion or at Powderhound. Doors open at 7:00 pm and the show starts at 8:00.
