He stood up during karaoke and Neil Diamond came out.
That is how Jason Scott became the American singer-songwriter for his Diamond Forever, A Celebration of Neil Diamond show.
Scott will be bringing his show to the Humboldt Legion on Feb. 23 and audience participation is not only encouraged but expected, says Scott.
鈥淭he crowd has a whole list of things that they have to do throughout the performance as well. If I鈥檓 out in the audience and everyone is doing what they鈥檙e supposed to be doing.鈥�
Since a fun time is the goal, Scott says that there will also be a dance contest with prizes, clap along songs, and a big follow the bouncing ball sing-a-long type song near the end of the show.
鈥淚t turns into one big Neil Diamond party, and I tell the crowd to relate to it like that...that鈥檚 the way Mr. Diamond wants it and I鈥檓 going to do what Neil Diamond wants.鈥�
Scott works strictly with Royal Canadian Legions all across Canada saying that they are great venues to play in with his show bringing great interest to the organization.
Interest is something the Legions need, he says.
Scott got his start on the west coast music scene in the late 1970s and even got signed to a record label in 1989 before the death of his friend and music producer, Brian 鈥淭oo Loud鈥� MacLeod in 1992.
That sent him on a walkabout for a few years since a lot had changed in the years he had been on the music scene, he says.
Out one night with his sister, Scott got on stage to perform some karaoke waiting for a Vancouver Canucks game to start at a local bar.
The crowd was cheering so loudly that Scott thought the Canucks had scored a goal. Looking up at the televisions, Scott saw that the game hadn鈥檛 even started yet.
From there, his career as Neil Diamond was born.
鈥淚 looked down and there was the crowd on their feet, going 鈥楴eil, Neil, Neil.鈥� Then the light went on over my head and I thought, 鈥榦h, maybe the horse has a few runs around the track to go.鈥欌��
Working as a tribute artist, Scott is seeing the same kind of work he would have been doing if he would have had his own solo career.
However, he has had some extra adventures as Neil Diamond, including being the only Canadian Neil Diamond tribute act to be included in an American documentary about Neil Diamond tribute artists.
鈥淭hey went all over the world, over to Australia and Europe, and obviously around the States and into Vegas, etcetera. But I was the only Canadian they chose.鈥�
While the documentary is not ready for release, Scott says they organized a viewing in Las Vegas and a cast concert afterwards, where Scott and the rest of the cast were surprised by a visit from five members of Neil Diamond鈥檚 band.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e on stage performing with us. It鈥檚 just the greatest thing. It makes your knees go weak, you turn around and there鈥檚 half of Neil鈥檚 band.鈥�
Scott has retained his friendship with other Diamond tribute artists that were in the film and they have said that Diamond thinks of all the tribute artists as his kids, says Scott.
Diamond has said in the past that tributes should not just do him, but to put their own spins on it and have fun with it.
鈥淲hat I鈥檝e done with my show, Diamond Forever A Celebration Of Neil Diamond, that鈥檚 exactly what it is is a celebration of Neil Diamond and his history.鈥�
While his shows may be small, Scott says performing is his greatest joy of what he does for a living.
