Jim Cuddy played with his country rock band Blue Rodeo to a sold-out crowd the Jubilee Auditorium, last night. (Sun Media)

CALGARY - When it comes to contemporary Canadian music there are few names that come to mind as quickly as Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor.

The two songwriters and their country rock band, Blue Rodeo, have been on the Canadian music scene since the mid '80s.

And while the two-some have split up once or twice (temporarily to explore some alone time and record solo efforts) the men remain as committed as ever when it comes to their musical baby.

The band have released more than a dozen albums over the years -- and are currently on tour to support their new endeavour, Small Miracles.

Last night they played to a sold out crowd at the Jubilee Auditorium --opening with classics from their 1993 hit album, Five Days In July, and eventually moving on to Rebel from their first release, Outskirts (1987).

The band was jovial, fresh and full of energy -- probably large in part because Calgary marks one of the first stops on their cross Canada tour.

The usually shy and subtle Keelor even started cutting up the rug with dance moves during rockabilly heartbreak number, Are You Ready.

They will grace the stage again tonight at the Jub to play their second sold out show.

The band has gone through several changes over the years -- while members such as drummer's Cleave Anderson and Mark French as well as keyboardist Bob Wiseman have come on gone -- others, such as the multi-talented Bob Egan (formerly of Wilco), have been added.

Fellow founding member Bazil Donovan (Bass) has also taken time out here and there to explore solo ventures such as producing and recording with other artists, but he too has stayed on as faithful as ever to the Blue Rodeo family.

While the men of Blue Rodeo have settled into Canadian rock royalty opening act Luke Doucet is a lesser-known name.

But this singer songwriter who hails form Halifax is starting to gain momentum in popularity due to his immense talent as a guitarist and songwriter.

Doucet's sound is a mixed bag of Chet Atkins and Paul Westerberg inspired guitar style combos coupled with moving and highly poetic country folk lyrics.

His wife -- fellow Canadian musician Melissa McClelland -- was at her husband's side last night on back up guitar and vocals as part of the band, The White Falcon.

The duo are two of Canada's brightest new-comers to the singer song writing circuit, making for the perfect warm up act to the Rodeo gig.