Category Archives: Featured

So our friends over at Boots and Hearts today released there 3 day schedule.  Tell us what day you think is best?  We can’t wait for this thing to kick off…

Last night we were invited to take in the BIG Kick Off of the KX Country Concert Series at the Phoenix Concert Theater in Toronto.  Bright Lights Big Country is the brain child of the amazing folks at KX Country Radio. They wanted to bring some great acts to smaller venues this summer and hopefully this is the first of a handful of shows this summer and they couldn’t have had a better line up to kick it all off with.  With Eli Young Band headlining the show and with such amazing support from Burlington’s own Tebey along with amazing up and coming act Dani Strong this night was full of fantastic music.

So, maybe you have heard of this show called “The Voice” and maybe you have heard of this amazing talent that Blake Shelton so intellegently … I know Blake, don’t get excited those words may never be used together like that again.  But Wow, does RaeLynn ever know how to get a convo going. 

June 2, 2015, Ottawa, ON— CityFolk music festival organizers today announced the initial line-up for their 2015 program. Confirmed acts to date include: Van Morrison, The Avett Brothers, Wilco, Of Monsters and Men, Passenger, UB40, The Tubes, The Sheepdogs, Patrick Watson, Walk Off The Earth, Lord Huron, Elle King, Lisa LeBlanc, Lucinda Williams, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Kitty, Daisy & Lewis, Amy Helm, Lucius, Lee Harvey Osmond, Steep Canyon Rangers, Built to Spill, The Barr Brothers, Wintersleep, Sun Kil Moon, Will Butler, Steve Poltz, Fortunate Ones, The Everyone Orchestra, Frank Fairfield & The Down Hill Strugglers, Terra Lightfoot, Scarlett Jane, and Charlie A’Court, with more to be announced in the weeks ahead.

Last week we had the opportunity to spend some time with Johnson Crook, one of eight Boots & Hearts Emerging Artist Showcase competitors. We chatted in front of The Gladstone Hotel before their set and hung around to watch the band play. We’re glad we did.

This past Monday night we were in Markham taking in one of Canada’s most celebrated Country Music nights.  The 3rd annual CMAO Awards took place in Markham, Ontario.  For those of you who haven’t been lucky enough to secure tickets to this outstanding event I would have to suggest buy early next year.  This year’s line up was over the top with the likes of Tim Hicks, Autumn Hill, Deric Ruttan, Small Town Pistols and Jason Blaine to name a few.

It’s been 15 years since “Hanging by a Moment” exploded for Los Angeles based rockers Lifehouse.  On Tuesday the band returns with their 7th studio album Out of the Wasteland.  I had a chance to preview the album for the past week, thanks to Sony Music Canada, and it’s easily one of the strongest offerings by the band in their 15 year history.

So, the summer concert schedule is upon us and let me tell you if you LOVE live music you are going to really enjoy this summer.  I have put together a list of MUST SEE but heck, I only say they are must see because well I think they are pretty damn talented individuals as well.  I know we can’t hit them all.  But we know I am going to do my best 😉

In just over four weeks the 35^th edition of the TD Ottawa Jazz Festival will present 780 musicians in 123 concerts from June 18 – July 1. From its humble origins as a weekend of outdoor jazz 35 years ago, the Festival has evolved into one of Canada’s largest and most highly anticipated international jazz festivals.

So Jason McCoy is set to host the 2nd Annual CMAO Awards being held at the Flato Markham Theatre and I had the chance to catch up with Jason earlier this week.