Mitch Zorn is a born and raised Nakusp local who is pursuing a career in music. Recently he applied his talents to write a song about the tragedy in Humboldt, Sask.
Having grown up playing hockey in Nakusp from the age of two, he greatly felt the connection with the family and players of that area and the loss they experienced. Mitch said it is the strength of the relationships he built with his own teammates and their families that really made him feel for Humboldt. The lyrics to his song and country style reflects the emotions that so many are unable to express as eloquently.
”Having grown up in a small town and a small community playing hockey with the same 14 or so guys, they just become your best friends and everyone knows everyone’s parents by name and I just thought about what that accident would do to a community like that, more so the families. It just makes you think of your friends and family,” Zorn said in an email.
Zorn has been playing music since he was 10 years old. His dad bought him his first guitar and taught him the major chords, by the time Mitch was 13 he was playing in a country and blues band alongside his father. He credits said father, Rod Zorn as well as classic influences like Tom Petty, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Led Zeppelin as inspiration for his music. At the moment he is really into Jason Isbell, a songwriter from Alabama and Tyler Childers. The next skill he’d like to pick up is the drums.
Living between Nashville and San Antonio, Zorn started an electrical apprenticeship in 2016 with the intention of getting rotation work in the Alberta oil sands, which he later did. He was then lucky enough to find similar work in Texas, which fits better for spending his time off recording in Tennessee.
Zorn is currently working on an album and continues to use the connections he has made in the music industry, there and here, to open doors that will bring his dream closer to a reality.
He was recently asked to play his song, “Humboldt,” on CTV Regina. The segment aired on Aug. 27. Mitch flew to Saskatchewan from his current home base a few days before to prepare for the performance. The segment is available for viewing online at https://regina.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=1472148.
”I don’t get to come home as often as I’d like being so far away. I’m happy where I’m at but that’s one thing I miss a lot is Nakusp and my family and friends there and in Kelowna. Everyone’s starting to get married and have kids so I wish I could be there to see that more.”