What could be better than the soulful sounds of roots country music on Valentine’s Day?

Musician Mike Lynch hails from Beamsville, Ont. and he’ll be in Waubaushene on Feb. 14 for a one-night only performance at the Zen Waffle Inn.

Lynch said it’s essentially a house concert and promises it will be a lot of fun.

“Expect some fun stories from the road, a couple of passionate love songs for Valentine’s Day and I’ll probably throw in a Hank Williams song. It will be entertaining.”

Lynch has a lifelong love affair with music and the 35-year-old has spent the past 15 years seriously pursuing his career,

“I like writing songs and performing. I do it because it’s my passion. I love writing a good song, bringing it to a crowd and sharing it with them. That’s what it’s all about.”

While Lynch is reminiscent of Neil Young with his acoustic guitar and harmonica he counts Stompin’ Tom, Blue Rodeo and Steve Earle as his musical influences and said today’s favourites include Fred Eaglesmith and John Prine.

“I’m drawn to their music because it’s real. A lot of country music songs you hear on the radio are made to accommodate radio stations. These artists write songs that mean something and that’s what I try to do.”

His latest musical selections stem from an extended road trip Lynch took.

A couple of years ago, Lynch set off solo in his Safari van to tour the country, travelling to the Yukon and back, singing and soaking up Canadiana along the way whether it was in a bar, coffeehouse, roadside restaurant or street corner.

Lynch used those unique experiences to create the songs for his fourth recording release called MJL Was Here. The title track describes the adventure of someone (guess who?) who carves their initials in a park bench in Winnipeg and the funny story that followed.

“I don’t want to give away too much about the song but a lot of stuff I write is tongue-in-cheek. I like the lighter side of life. One of my songs is called My Life is Like a Big Vacation. It’s a reflection of what I believe is how people should live their life instead of dreading every morning to go to work.”

Lynch will be joined for the Feb. 14 concert, which begins at 7:30 p.m., by Jay Peters who plays the washboard, snare drum and adds vocals.

To learn more, log on to Lynch’s website www.lynchmusic.ca. For tickets and information about the Waubaushene concert call 538-1463.