It鈥檚 somewhere between work and vacation.

That鈥檚 the motto of Rich Dodson, guitarist and singer of Canadian icons The Stampeders who are bringing their classic, tie-dye rock anthems to Vernon April 7 and 琉璃神社 April 8.

鈥淚t鈥檚 hard to describe being in The Stampeders as work. We鈥檙e very fortunate for that,鈥� Dodson said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 sort of what this band has always been.鈥�

Originally known as The Rebounders, the group formed as a five-piece band in the late 鈥�60s in Calgary before they relocated to Toronto and rebranded as The Stampeders. After the group was whittled down to it鈥檚 core trio, they rose to international fame for their platinum single, Sweet City Woman, for which they won Juno Awards in the categories of best group, best single, best producer and best composer.

Now that they鈥檝e reached those heights, Dodson said, it鈥檚 time to just have fun.

鈥淲e wanted to do a little southern B.C. tour. It鈥檚 fun going through that spot again. It鈥檚 a little run we鈥檇 probably never really do,鈥� Dodson said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e full up on fame and just looking forward to more fun.鈥�

The Stampeders split in 1977 after reaching wondrous heights. But, in 1992 at the Calgary Stampede, the trio brought The Stampeders back to life and have since been recognized by the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN) for their lifetime achievement, been inducted into the SOCAN Songwriters Hall of Fame on five occasions and the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame for Sweet City Woman.

However, instead of doing the lengthy tours of old, The Stampeders now prefer to keep their road time light.

鈥淢aybe 25 dates a year is all we do. It鈥檚 enough to keep it going not be done with it, to keep it fresh,鈥� Dodson said. 鈥淭he touring thing, I rather like. I never thought I would miss it when I left, but I did.鈥�

Comprised of the original trio of Dodson with his signature double neck guitar, Ronnie King who tows the bass line while Kim Berly keeps the beat, The Stampeder鈥檚 13 stop tour stretches from the Island to the Kootenays with stops at small theatres across the province.

鈥淚鈥檓 looking forward to the tour, and at our age, this could be our last southern B.C. tour.鈥� Dodson said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 nice to be up front and close to the audience. The band has nothing to prove and we don鈥檛 take it too seriously.鈥�

However, they don鈥檛 disregard the tunes.

鈥淲e still play too loud. It鈥檚 one, two, three rock n鈥� roll,鈥� Dodson said, adding that they bring their own light and sound people on tour. 鈥淚t鈥檚 fun to get together with the guys again. It can be a little tiring, these barn burners, but reconnecting with the fans afterwards is a big buzz.鈥�

And, despite significant changes to the business since The Stampeders rose to fame in the 鈥�70s, Dodson said connecting with fans is just as easy and important as ever.

鈥淭he internet is the big change. The internet has allowed us to reintroduce The Stampeders,鈥� Dodson said.

Not only has the internet changed the world of music, but it has allowed Canada to become a front-runner in the business.

鈥淣ow we have such a strong industry here (in Canada) you can be a Blue Rodeo band and not have to worry about cracking the United States,鈥� Dodson said. 鈥淲e just seem to have a good situation up here for talent and developing talent. Maybe because it鈥檚 so cold in the winter we just spend a lot of time in the basement recording.鈥�

While the industry may have evolved, Dodson said they鈥檙e still the same old Stampeders.

鈥淐ome check out the old guys when they鈥檙e still jumping around, and the clock is ticking,鈥� Dodson laughed. 鈥淲e鈥檙e just kids. We鈥檙e 70, but we鈥檙e just older kids.鈥�

The Stampeders rock the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre April 7 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $65 and are available through the Ticket Seller, 250-549-7469, . The 琉璃神社 performance is slated for 7:30 p.m. at the 琉璃神社 Community Theatre April 8. Tickets are $65 and are available through Select Your Tickets, 250-762-5050, .