Okotoks has talent and the Dawgs would like to borrow some to sing Canada’s national anthem before ballgames.
“We are looking for singers to sing ‘O Canada’,” said Okotoks Dawgs operations assistant Ethan Green. “We want anyone who is willing to sing in front of a large crowd.”
However, “O Canada” isn’t “Take Me Out To The Ball Game”, in which any baseball fan who can grunt can sing during the seventh inning stretch. Green said they want to ensure the singers have the talent and poise to sing in front of thousands of baseball fans in order to give “O Canada” the respect it deserves. A short audition will be asked before the singers are given the microphone.
Lindsay Butler, who won the Ranchman’s Rising Star competition earlier this spring, has sung “O Canada” several times at Seaman Stadium.
“The first time I sang ‘O Canada’ at a sporting event was before a High River Junior B Flyers game when I was in Grade 8,” the 23-year-old High River native said. “It’s a great song to sing. I like the lyrics a lot, they are lyrics that I am very proud to sing.”
Her biggest audience for her rendition of “O Canada” was in a sold-out Seaman Stadium prior to a Dawgs’ playoff game.
“Seaman Stadium has a slight delay — there’s a slight echo so you can hear what you just sang, so it can throw your timing off,” Butler said. “I really enjoy it. The fans are very respectful. I don’t think I have ever seen a hat on while I have been singing ‘O Canada’.
“They also know all the words and they like to sing along as well — I love that because there is no pressure. It’s like you are giving them a chance to sing.”
However, there is one day in which she admits to being nervous about having to sing before the Dawgs’ game. That would be on July 4 when the Dawgs pay tribute to the United States by singing both the “Star Spangled Banner” and “O Canada”.
“I did get nervous because I don’t know it as well,” Butler said of the American anthem. “If you start too high, you will be done for by the end. It’s also very easy to get mixed up in those words. I think it’s because I am not emotionally attached to it like I am ‘O Canada’.”
She said her favourite version of “O Canada” at a sporting event is by Mark Donnelly at Vancouver Canucks home games.
“I like it when he drops the mic and lets the fans sing, it’s fun,” she said.
There’s another great part about singing “O Canada” at Seaman Stadium.
“They always give you a free ticket, so I get to watch the game,” Butler said.
Anyone interested in singing “O Canada” at the Dawgs’ games can contact Green at 403-262-DAWG (3294) or email him at [email protected]
