Ian Tyson Launches New Autobiography At Toronto Event On October 19, 2010

TORONTO< CANADA (Top40 Charts/ Ian Tyson Official Website) - Iconic Canadian songwriter Ian Tyson has written his autobiography - a frank look at his early years as half of the duo Ian & Sylvia, his success as a songwriter, his move to western Canada and his life as a rancher. Now 77, he runs a spread south of Calgary, trains quarter horses, and still plays at least 50 concerts and festivals a year in Canada and the U.S.

The Long Trail: My Life in the West is published by Random House Canada, and a launch for the book is set for a free event at Toronto's Gladstone Hotel on Tuesday October 19, presented by TINARS (This is Not a Reading Series).

Tyson will be interviewed by Toronto-based publicist and writer Richard Flohil, there will be a reading from the new book by singer-songwriter Murray McLauchlan, and there'll be a musical interlude from Lickin' Good Fried, a Toronto band that plays old-time western music.

Ian Tyson's career now spans five decades; emerging in the early '60s, his impressive catalogue includes more than 20 albums, including the platinum-selling Cowboyography. His last 13 albums have been released internationally by Edmonton-based Stony Plain Records. Tyson's songs - including "Four Strong Winds", "Someday Soon," "Summer Wages" and "Navajo Rug"- have been recorded by Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Judy Collins, Johnny Cash, Suzy Bogguss and dozens of other artists.

Outspoken, revealing and frank, the new book is a fascinating story of the personal and professional life of one of Canada's best-known artists.

WHO: Songwriter, rancher and singer IAN TYSON, with Murray McLauchlan and Lickin' Good Fried.
WHAT: A reading, an interview, and some music.
WHY: The launch of Tyson's autobiography, The Long Trail: My Life in the West, published by Random House of Canada.
WHERE: Ballroom, The Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen Street W at Dufferin.
WHEN: Tuesday October 19. Doors at 7.30 p.m., event begins at 8.00 p.m.
HOW MUCH: Free of charge. Early arrival is advised.