Elton John once said that some musicians are born into the wrong era; that there are many artists on the scene right now (and more from the past) that would have done immensely better commercially had they been playing to an audience with a different sensibility.

While Sir Elton might not have named him specifically, this statement certainly applies to Ron Sexsmith: the Canadian singer/songwriter, and subject of the documentary LOVE SHINES playing Hot Docs tomorrow.

Sexsmith isn’t your typical rock star. If you bumped into him milling about a venue like Massey Hall, you might easily mistake him for an usher…and never guess that he was that night’s headliner. The man is quiet, unassuming, and humble to a fault. He is also immensely talented. He’s so talented in fact, that people like Elvis Costello and Daniel Lanois mention him in the same breath as Neil Young and Paul McCartney. Not that he’s ready to believe it.

LOVE SHINES is the chronicle of Sexsmith recording his twelfth studio album, “Long Player Late Bloomer”. Thinking about how reserved a person Sexsmith is, I couldn’t help but wonder who twisted his arm into allowing the recording sessions to be documented?

“”I honestly don’t remember agreeing to it,” he tells me “it just sort of happened around me. For the longest time it was just (director) Doug Arrowsmith and a camera. I assumed it would never see the light of day.” So for any would-be documentarians out there, it appears that there is an argument for shooting first and asking questions later.

Arrowsmith couldn’t have picked a better time to turn his attention towards Sexsmith. In writing and recording this album, Ron Sexsmith decided to go all-in. Despite being the envy of many other musicians for the melodies he is capable of, Ron Sexsmith has never caught on commercially. Thus, in an effort to spark sales and get more airplay, Sexsmith enlisted the help of Bob Rock – a producer known for his work with Motley Crue and Metallica – to guide him through recording the album.

Besides giving Ron’s music a fuller sound, and bringing out the best in him, LOVE SHINES shows how much attention Rock pays on Ron Sexsmith the man, in addition to Ron Sexsmith the musician. Sexsmith says that working with Rock “helped my self esteem immensely. I had sort of lost my confidence before making this record”. In providing such tutelage, Bob Rock sets up Sexsmith for his best shot at succeeding – not just with the result of this album, but going forward in life. Rock reminds Sexsmith that everything we want is on the other side of fear, and it’s a lesson that Sexsmith really seems to have taken to heart since those days in the studio.

One thing this film doesn’t shy away from is the fact that being a Canadian rock star isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Ron and his wife mention more than once that they live very modestly, and gambling on Rock as a producer made for a large financial risk. “It’s a sign of the times, and has a lot to do with the state of the record industry” says Sexsmith. Proving his point is a scene in the film where Feist talks about covering Ron’s song “Secret Heart”. Feist has done rather well for herself, but you’re not likely to see her house on an episode of Cribs anytime soon.

“The industry is in such a state that (labels) are afraid to commit to anything, especially someone like myself who’s been around a while without much commercial success. I feel lucky to have a career at all. I have an international cult following that allows me to travel. What I’m after is not to be rich or famous, but to make a record that connects with people outside of my fan base”.

And with that, Ron taps into the most bittersweet element of LOVE SHINES, and furthermore – his career. To listen to his music is a religious experience. It is to expose ones self to something that is sad and beautiful. It surrounds you with melodies that express feelings you didn’t even know you had until they are streaming down your cheek. To paraphrase the old saying, to hear Ron Sexsmith music is to love it.

Now the challenge seems to be getting more people to hear it. A challenge, it would seem, that Ron Sexsmith is finally ready to take on.

LOVE SHINES plays tomorrow – 9:45pm at Isabel Bader Theatre, again on Saturday May 7th – 9:45pm at Isabel Bader Theatre, and once more on Sunday May 8th – 4:00pm at The Lightbox.

In addition, the film will premiere on HBO Canada on Saturday may 14th at 9pm EST