As I was making my goals at the beginning of this year, I sat down with my manager and my agent and said ‘I need to do a symphony show.’ It was my agent who said ‘You should work with the Calgary Philharmonic. “I’ve seen many symphony shows around the world and I’ve always wanted to do this. “I just realized the power that a symphony orchestra has when it’s paired with popular music,” says Kissel, in a phone interview from his ranch in northeast Alberta. 17 and 18 at the Bella Concert Hall and Jack Singer Concert Hall, respectively, may be his CPO debut, it seems a long-time coming for the artist. So while his two-night run with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra on Nov. For years, he has wanted to perform his tunes backed by a symphony. While Kissel’s first love is country music and he tends to write earnest, down-to-earth tunes about typical mainstream country fare such as rural pride, family bonds, drinking whisky and life on the ranch, he has admired orchestral music ever since he heard Glen Campbell’s grandiose arrangement of Jimmy Webb’s Wichita Lineman.
