Canaan Country Music Festival – Year #1

Canaan Country Music Festival already preparing for Second Year!

The Canaan Country Music Festival (CCMF) wrapped up a couple weeks back and organizers are already preparing for next year’s event.  There are no final numbers yet but by all accounts this year’s event was a huge a success with a great turn out.  Of course there were some hiccups along the way but that is to be expected in the first year.  This was a learning year for all and I am positive the issues will be corrected and approved for next year.  The festival had partnered with the local Rotary Club to help raise money for some of their community initiatives.  So the Rotary looked after the Beer Sales.  The Rotary Club stated that they sold out of beer raising approximately 18,000 dollars in profit for their projects.  Now, if this isn’t the best gauge to measure success I sure as heck don’t know what is.

This festival had brought in some of the biggest Country Music names that Canada has to offer as the headliners. Brett Kissel, Jess Moskaluke, Wes Mack, and Jason Benoit are already established performers with so much talent and professional.  For me, the price of ticket to see just these for artists was a steal.  But CCMF wanted to offer the fans more. They wanted to showcase Nova Scotia’s own local talent.  They offered a stellar lineup of many NS Artists.  In which I know many fans attended to support them and not just the headliners.  Nova Scotia artists included local favourite Kevin Davison with his hit single “When the Sirens are Gone” in support of PTSD.

Most of the included artists have a Nashville recorded album and in some cases multiple albums like rising star Makayla Lynn who had 15 years old has numerous albums and has opened for many of today’s biggest stars.  Amanda Riley and Mark Cameron but contestants on CMT’s Big in a Small Town show performed for us as well.  Casey May who may be a rookie on the music scene but performed so well you would have thought he had been performing live for many years.  Tj King who continues to rise and succeed in this business sure did have the crowd up on their feet.  JD Clarke an experienced performer and has played many of the larger stages and festivals.  Let’s not forget Country Music Hall of Famer Robert Bouchard.  Casino NS Artist in Residence 2015 finalist Samantha Power performed showing off her pipes to the audience.  Last but not least of the NS Artists was Jason Price. This guy has country written all over him. From his look to his old school country sound.  Of Course we cannot forget Nova Scotian Host, George Canyon, who has had a very successful career to date.  Nova Scotia has some great talent to offer to the country music world.  How about Cape Bretoner, Gordie Sampson who won a Grammy for the song he wrote Jesus Take The Wheel which was a huge success for Carrie Underwood.

A big hit at this festival was Cowboy Cash who had been twitting on Social Media a countdown to see Brett Kissel and his girlfriend Jess Moskaluke.  Both artists spent something with Cash before their sets with Brett later bringing Cash up on stage and giving his a new Gibson signed guitar.  We can’t wait to see a photo on social media of the guitar at home with Cash.

All in all for a first year event in rural Nova Scotia this event was a hit in part mainly due to the planners, investors, vendors, volunteers, artists and especially the fans who purchased the tickets and supported live music.

James Bennett / @Jb_Photos

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