By Lucy Fitzgerald 
Hi! How has Dirt Road Opera evolved from The Cruzeros into its current form?
Along with having a few different members, the songwriting and sound of DRO has become more Americana as opposed to the country style of the Cruzeros. (Barry)
What inspired the title and theme of “Where The Chicory Grows”?
The song was written about the place where I was born. It was an abandoned railway town in the 70’s. My Grandparents moved my mom and her siblings there to be the caretakers of the land. A few years later my Dad settled there after he came home from the vietnam war. Thats where my parents met, and eventually we lived in a home out in Keefers as well. The field that separated our home from my Grandparents place was always covered in blue chicory flowers. Memories of walking back and forth through that field as a child inspired the title for the tune. (Rachel)
Can you share the personal significance behind the lyrics of this new single?
This song is a very personal one for me. The lyrics reflect the heartache of losing my family’s cherished homestead, a place that held generations of memories, to a devastating forest fire in August of 2023. It’s tough to grasp the fact that the place that so many of us called home is gone. I named my son Keefer, after our home, and the idea that he won’t be able to create the same memories with his own family is very sad. (Rachel)
How do the three-part harmonies and pedal steel enhance the emotional depth of your music?
We’ve always had a focus on harmonies, influenced by vocal bands such as Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, and the Eagles. Rachel began singing with her family band at a very young age and was gifted with the unique ability to effortlessly find harmony parts, which is a great asset for Dirt Road Opera.
The pedal steel has always been one of our favourite instruments and we actually have a song about it called “Play That Old Steel”. Everything sounds better with steel! (Barry)
How did Rachel’s family history in Keefers influence the songwriting for this track?
Seeing as “Where the Chicory Grows” was solely written about my family’s years spent in Keefers, and the fire that destroyed it, it really was the only influence in writing this song. My personal history in Keefers shaped the overall theme and story, and naturally the lyrics reflect how important that place was and is to so many members of our family and friends. (Rachel)
With such a poignant story, what do you hope listeners take away from the song?
I hope it resonates as a reminder that beauty and strength often emerge from life’s most difficult moments, and that while loss may change us, it doesn’t erase where we come from or the roots we carry within us. Don’t take the things that you hold dear for granted! (Rachel)
As BCCMA inductees, how do you feel this recognition has impacted your music career?
Even in the short time since we were inducted into the BC Country Music Hall of Fame, we have already had an increase in media attention. Being a part of a community like that, I think adds to our legacy and definitely helps to establish us as permanent fixtures in the industry. This achievement shows our dedication, hardwork, and hopefully in the long run will lead to more opportunities, collaborations, and a bigger fan base. (Rachel)
What elements of your music do you believe led to the induction into the BCCMA Hall of Fame?
I would say the songwriting has played a significant role in being inducted, along with our devotion to making everything as good as possible. Working with great producers such as Joe Hardy and Bill Buckingham helped us make award winning records that we’re very proud of. (Barry)
How do you balance the emotional and uplifting aspects of your music creation?
The emotional and uplifting aspects of creating music are deeply entwined. The old saying, “writing is hard, having written is great” is very true. It’s not always easy getting the lyrics and music just right, but very rewarding when you do. (Barry)
What can fans expect from Dirt Road Opera in your upcoming performances and tours?
We’ll be playing songs from our debut album Nowheresville, which is available on all streaming platforms and our website: www.dirtroadopera.ca along with the new songs we’re working on right now. The band is sounding amazing and we look forward to seeing everyone in the near future!
Listening to songs so you don’t have to! Just kidding :D, you totally should. Music blogger by day, nurse by night