This past Friday night the CMT Next Women of Country tour kicked off at Casino Rama. For those not familiar with the idea of this tour last year CMT (USA) announced a short 10 date tour with Jana Kramer and Kelsea Ballerini which had some fantastic success. So CMT decided to up the ante with the 2016 edition with the likes of new comers Tara Thompson and Lindsay Ell along with the talented Brandy Clark while being headlined by the amazing Jennifer Nettles. Not a bad line up at all. They have scheduled a 38 date tour that kicked off in Canada at Casino Rama .
Tara Thompson performs @ Casino Rama on the Next Women Of Country Tour – Photo: Corey Kelly
The evening started off with emerging artist Tara Thompson taking the stage for a brief 2 song set (shortened set from the rest of the dates on the tour I was told) I had the chance to chat with Tara earlier in the day and take in a 5 song performance where she wowed the crowd. Now the set times were slightly moved up to allow for all 4 artists to perform and get the show wrapped up by 11ish. So with only 2 songs to perform in front of a surprisingly somewhat full venue, considering the start time change Tara laced into her quick set and got things kicked off in grand style.
Lindsay Ell Performs during the Next Women of Country tour stop at Casino Rama – Photo: Corey Kelly
Next up was Canada’s own Lindsay Ell. Lindsay has really started to turn heads in Nashville these days with songs such as Shut Me Up and Trippin’ On Us getting spins on Satellite Radio (The Highway of course). Lindsay also only had a quick set to impress. I know the lady sitting beside me was. She couldn’t believe the sound that the girl and the guitar could make with the loop pedals etc. Lindsay is one hell of a guitar player as well. Was great to see her back in Ontario that is for sure.
Lindsay Ell Performs during the Next Women of Country tour stop at Casino Rama – Photo: Corey Kelly
After Lindsay wrapped up it was time for Brandy Clark. I have seen Brandy perform only one other time, when she opened for Eric Church in London last year and she was killer then. Well, not much has changed. She is still killer. Having talked to a couple walking into the venue, they had mentioned that they had come to actually see Brandy Clark, which comes as a bit of a surprise because Brandy has little to no radio play in Canada not sure if that is lack of record label publicity or lack of Country Music stations having too much to choose from these days. BUT.. That said Brandy put on a fantastic 45 min set. But she definitely had the crowd listening.. With her very smart lyrics and great voice to match Brandy Clark is definitely one of those NEXT big things in country music.
You could hear a pin drop in here…@CasinoRamaLive @TheBrandyClark pic.twitter.com/XOE1dhonPy
— Sound Check Ent. (@SoundCheckBlg) January 16, 2016
Then it was time for the lovely Jennifer Nettles. Now Jennifer is about to release her upcoming 2nd solo album and she performed a few off it on Friday along with a plethora of her former hits. With her hit Stay being one that I could just see everyone waiting for and when it started the crowd let her know they were excited to hear it.
Jennifer Nettles Performs during the Next Women of Country stop @ Casino Rama – Photo: Corey Kelly
Now Jennifer is another artists I had never actually had the pleasure of seeing before. Her voice is so recognizable and flawless live. When she kicked things off with her current single Playing with Fire it started with a punch. And it wasn’t till about 4 songs in before it slowed down a little. As you know I am not one to give you a set list of songs performed because I like to leave a little bit of a surprise for those attending the show later in the tour. But easily the stand outs for me were Playing With Fire and Unlove You. Both off the new album coming out in early April. If you have a chance to catch the Next Women of Country Tour I would strong suggest you going. Country music is due for an overhaul from bro-country and these 4 ladies are a hell of a start!
Jennifer Nettles Performs during the Next Women of Country stop @ Casino Rama – Photo: Corey Kelly
Jennifer Nettles Performs during the Next Women of Country stop @ Casino Rama – Photo: Corey Kelly
We had a lot going on Friday with Mason Jar Sessions with both Lindsay & Tara watch for those in the coming weeks! And check out what else is happening over at Casinor Rama here…
CoreyKelly / @CoreyKelly76
We knew the announcement was coming but now it’s Official…
Garth BROOKS is coming back to Ottawa.
For all those upset that Luke Bryan isn’t coming to Boots & Hearts this year have no fear.
Luke is bringing his Kill The Lights Tour that sees Little Big Town and Dustin Lynch as support acts. Not a bad way to spend a night or two in June…Here is what we know.
2 Canadian Dates 1 of which we already knew about in Alberta but….
TORONTO – June 24 & 25th at Molson Amphitheatre…. Tix Details to follow.
CALGARY – August 21st @ Country Thunder – Previously Announced
More Details to come….
Sound Check is happy to say we have teamed up with CMT Canada to offer 3 lucky winners a pair of tickets to the Johnny Reid – One Night Stand. For those of you that didn’t make it to see Florida Georgia Line last year you won’t want to miss this one! Johnny Reid is unreal live and seeing him in an intimate setting would just be one heck of an experience. We want to send 3 lucky readers + a guest to catch the show in Toronto.
Chase Rice’s JD & Jesus Tour rolled into the always amazing Danforth Music Hall in Toronto on Saturday night and lets just say, the South was rockin’ the Great White North. If you have been reading the site the last couple month’s you may have noticed that the Cadillac Three have caught my eye as of late. So to have the boys playing the direct support spot on the tour was a win for me.
Cory Marquardt has a new single out… And this one is one you will want to crank up to ten… Atleast we know we do. Nowhere With You is Cory’s 4th Single and might just be the one that finally grabs the ears of Country Radio in Canada. We had a chance to have Cory do an acoustic version of this one and we would love to hear what you think!
So for those of you that don’t listen to SXM Radio you may not have heard a whole lot of Cadillac Three or Chase Rice on the Radio up here in Canada. However if you crank The Highway on SXM on a regular basis you have heard these two amazing acts multiple times. Cadillac Three have a song on slow rotation on some of Canada’s Country Radio stations with White Lighting. While Chase has had a little more success with his singles Ready, Set, Roll and Gonna Wanna Tonight north of the border. Neither have played many dates up here so we are happy to have them headin’ to the Great White North!
So Jennifer Nettles and The Next Women of Country Tour are headed North to Casinorama later this month an let me tell ya, you won’t want to miss this show.
Lets kick it off with the absolutely amazing support acts starting with new comer Tara Thompson. For those who haven’t been introduced to Miss Thompson yet this girl is full of sass.. Her current single Someone To Take Your Place has a real hook that has you bumpin before the end of the first chorus.
Next up likely on stage will be one of Canada’s best exports to Nashville. The guitar slinging Lindsay Ell. Lindsay hasn’t spent much time North the last 3 or 4 years as she has honed her amazing songwriting and killer guitar playing in Nashville. The Alberta born and raised country singer brings a whole new outlook to girls rockin the country beats. Here new single By The Way is catching traction south of the border and will likely make its way to Canadian Radio in early 2016. But take a listen to this…WOW. This is what you can expect from Lindsay in Orillia later this month I am sure of it. Be sure to crank this one up..
Next up will likely be the uber talented Brandy Clark. This girl can string together a song in her sleep it seems. Having written some great tracks for some of Country Music’s elite Miss Clark has a new album coming out in early 2016 so we are sure to see some of her new stuff along with some of her more popular stuff from her first album such as Stripes or Get High.
The woman to shut the place down will be none other than Jennifer Nettles. I would be lying if I was saying that I wasn’t excited to see Jennifer live. This would be my first time and I know after watching so much LIVE Acoustic Vidoe on YouTube her voice isn’t like anything you have ever heard. Watch this video from 2014 when Jennifer and Brandy teamed up for His Hands.. .WOW. We can only hope we get to see something like this come showtime at CasinoRama.
From the looks of things there are still some great seats left. Grab tickets to The Next Women Of Country Tour at CasinoRama on January 15th here.
We can’t wait for this one!
Corey Kelly / @CoreyKelly76
