Big Valley Jamboree – Day 1 – Hot Weather, Hotter Artists

Friday was the first full day of Big Valley Jamboree, and for Albertan’s it seemed like the first rain free day in what felt like forever. Fortunately, the weather wasn’t the only hot thing as the lineup was packed with some really hot artists.

Kicking off the day, and the first artist to hit the mainstage this weekend was Manitoba’s Don Amero. Growing up in the north end of Winnipeg, known for drugs and violence, has greatly shaped the recent MDM Records signing. Amero believes that “music is medicine,” and uses that mantra to turn a positive spin on the hardships he faced growing up.

The multiple Juno nominee, played several shows in Alberta including a stop at the Big Valley Jamboree songwriter’s stage, but a crazy schedule didn’t stop him from putting on an electric set.

Next up was Alberta native, Mackenzie Porter. The multi-talented singer and actress (she’s on the AMC hit “Hell On Wheels), radiated beauty as she made her way out on the catwalk to greet the crowd.

Next, Porter showed up she may really be able to do it all and she blew the crowd away with her fiddle playing, with a glittery instrument that perfectly matched her sparkly outfit.

Lately, there’s been a lot of talk about what exactly is country music and the debate between traditional and modern country music; but Billy Ray Cyrus proved you can do both. Cyrus, is probably best known for his hit “Achy Breaky Heart,” strutted on stage with long hair (no mullet in sight) but later added a hat.

The singer also had something for the less traditional fans, as he ended his set with the record breaking hit “Old Town Road,” that was original recorded by rapper Lil Nas X and just featured the country artist, but on Friday Cyrus did the full song himself.

It seems BVJ weather may have a curse on Toby Keith, in a previous edition a storm prompted a delay in Keith’s set, and it seems lightning might actually strike twice (or in this case flash in the distance) as the concert bowl was evacuated for roughly 45 minutes.

After a delay, Keith took the stage playing an almost 2-hour long set, spending much of the set at the end of the catwalk to get closer to the crowd. Unfortunately, no photography was permitted during the set.

 

The party didn’t stop once the mainstage ended. Crowds headed over to the Coors Banquet Saloon and enjoyed a beverage or in some cases ten. Peterborough’s Tebey headlined the beer gardens as the Canadian living in Nashville played a set chalk full of hits. The well known songwriter didn’t shy away from interacting with the crowd, taking full advantage of the catwalk to get up close and personal with fans.

The party didn’t stop once the mainstage ended. Crowds headed over to the Coors Banquet Saloon and enjoyed a beverage or in some cases ten. Peterborough’s Tebey headlined the beer gardens as the Canadian living in Nashville played a set chalk full of hits. The well known songwriter didn’t shy away from interacting with the crowd, taking full advantage of the catwalk to get up close and personal with fans.