James Gordon's Hometown Tunes

The Stratford Perth Museum is excited to present James Gordon’s Hometown Tunes, an afternoon of songs, stories, and community celebration, on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at the Co-operators Performance Theatre. Doors open at 1:00 PM, with the show beginning at 2:00 PM. Tickets are $25 plus taxes and fees, available at stratfordperthmuseum.ca.

This unique performance draws on James Gordon’s acclaimed CBC Radio residency, featuring tales of highway robbery, ghost stories, mysterious murders, shipwrecks, scoundrels, scandals, strongmen, town criers, dancing bears, and other classic small-town Ontario anecdotes.

Adding a special Stratford twist, the event will also celebrate the 70th anniversary of the railway’s arrival in Stratford, bringing the town’s history to life through music and storytelling. James will also perform letters from CBC listeners and invite audience members to share their own stories, creating a collaborative and engaging afternoon of song and memory.

The show features a special guest appearance by Terry Jones, well known in the region as a key member of the seminal psych-folk group Perth County Conspiracy. Jones is also an original creator and performer of Ten Lost Years, developed in collaboration with longtime colleague Cedric Smith. Now returned to the community, Jones will reunite with James Gordon for a special musical moment, performing a selection of songs that celebrate Stratford’s rich cultural and musical roots.

A shared slide projection will showcase community-contributed images and archival material.

This is a licensed event (with popcorn!)

For more information on James Gordon and his work, visit his press kit or website at jamesgordon.ca.