With another year of Juno’s in the history books the thought occurred to me last night that, well for one, Canadian Country Music is not very well represented at the awards that are supposed to represent the best of Canada and, for two, Canadian Country is all but absent on the international scene, or at least south of the border.
Ottawa welcomes Johnny Reid back with open arms!
It may have been less than a year since Johnny Reid brought his high spirited show to RBC Royal Bank Bluesfest but his local chapter of the Tartan Army didn’t have any issues packing into TD Place for, what many who have been to multiple stops on the tour are calling, one of the best shows to date on his “What Love Is All About Tour”
CMAO Rolls its Road Show into London
London, Ontario played host to the Country Music Association of Ontario ( CMAO ) New Artist RoadShow on Saturday March 19th. Various events took place around the city for up and coming country artists from across the province, the purpose being to gain knowledge and feedback from industry experts including Jason Blaine, Steve Wilkinson, Jason Barry and many more.
Johnny Reid Woo’s in Kitchener…
Monday night in Kitchener Johnny Reid brought the What Loves All About Tour to the Centre in The Square. Getting a chance to see Johnny in the beautiful venue was a treat as I think the last time I was in the venue was to see the Tragically hip 4 years ago. The 2,000 seat venue was packed for his second performance in as many nights in the city.
Final Canadian Stop Of Blackout Tour Was Lights Out….
Saturday night in London may have been a whiteout with a storm kickin’ around a pile of snow outside but inside Bud Gardens the place was on fire. Brantley Gilbert brought his Blackout tour to town and some of his buddies tagged along for the ride. Brian Davis, Michael Ray and Canaan Smith rounded out one rockin’ night of Country music to the RBC Theatre at Bud Gardens.
Riki Knox – CD Release Party
The Latcham Centre in Port Perry was shakin’ and a rattlin’ on Nov 14 when Riki Knox hosted her CD release party, showcasing her first CD entitled That’s Country Y’all. The new music is available now on her website at www.rikiknox.com and you can also pre-order on iTunes with the CD scheduled to be released on Nov 22, however, the sold out crowd this past Saturday night got an early preview.
Riki Knox performs at her CD Release Party – Photo: Scott Burns Images
Riki Knox has been hard at work to create this full length new release. Teaming up with award winning producer Willie Mack, and writing with the likes of Jason McCoy and Troy Kokol, Knox travelled from Ontario, to Canada’s west coast, and then back and forth from Nashville until she had the music just right. Stints in Texas to film supporting video for her songs also rounded out her travels.
Riki Knox performs at her CD Release Party – Photo: Scott Burns Images
She is no stranger to hard work, and it looks like that work ethic is about to pay off. The 2014 CMAO Rising Star nominee is a consummate performer. She has a very strong presence on stage, a powerful voice, and style all her own. Riki lives the country life in small town Ontario farming community. So when she sings about the country life, she knows what it’s all about.
Introduced by Pete Walker of KX96 country radio, the party got started off on the right foot with a performance from Ben Hudson. The tall Uxbridge area singer/songwriter performed a solid set which included his original song Wear and Tear and certainly got the crowd hopping. Watch for more from this guy!
Riki Knox performs at her CD Release Party – Photo: Scott Burns Images
Riki Knox performs at her CD Release Party – Photo: Scott Burns Images
Knox then took over and delivered her signature energy-driven show. She was supported by a super tight group of musicians that included: Randy Vautour (guitar/vocals), Clayton Mark (guitar), Mike Vautour (drums), Dan McGrath (fiddle), Ron Vautour (bass) and Michelle Vautour (backing vocals).
Working through her set lists, Riki had the Port Perry crowd up dancing and singing and it was very obvious that everyone enjoyed the show. Each person attending received an advance copy of That’s Country Y’all (which is also one of my favourite tracks). One lucky attendee also won a free pair of Lane boots, courtesy of Knox’s sponsor Lane Boots of Texas.
This show marked the third time in 2015 that I was lucky enough to have Riki in front of my camera lens. Absolutely watch out for this lady! Big things are coming. Country radio needs to get fully behind her music and get it out for the masses to enjoy.
Scott Burns
Riki Knox performs at her CD Release Party – Photo: Scott Burns Images
Riki Knox performs at her CD Release Party – Photo: Scott Burns Images
Riki Knox CD Release Party – Photo: Scott Burns Images
Riki Knox performs at her CD Release Party – Photo: Scott Burns Images
Riki Knox performs at her CD Release Party – Photo: Scott Burns Images
Riki Knox performs at her CD Release Party – Photo: Scott Burns Images
Riki Knox performs at her CD Release Party – Photo: Scott Burns Images
Paul Brandt and Dean Brody bring the country to Ottawa
2015 been quite a year for Country Music in Ottawa with monster shows from some of country’s biggest hit makers like Luke Bryan, Brantley Gilbert, Keith Urban and Kenny Chesney to name just a few, not to mention some world class performances by some of Canada’s top country stars like Brett Kissel, Tim Hicks and more.
On Monday night two Canadian country music gentleman, Paul Brandt and Dean Brody, brought a true country music performance as their Road Trip Tour rolled into the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa.
Best of Canadian Country Music Celebrated in Halifax
The Maritimes went country over the last few days as the best of the best of Canadian country music invaded Halifax. The party started early in the week with numerous showcase events put on by various labels and agencies to help showcase their stars and rising stars and it all was capped off with the Canadian Country Music Association Awards, the final of which was held last night at the Scotiabank Centre and aired on CBC Television.
Boots and Hearts 2015, One Hell of a Kick Off Party
Well, it’s just as the headline says it was. Last night was one hell of Kickoff Party for Boots & Hearts at their new home in Oro-Medonte.
Skynyrd, Dear Rouge and more Ottawa Bluesfest Week 2
After an incredible start to this year’s Ottawa Bluesfest the second week was the week that had more of the music I was interested loaded so it was no doubt one I would be looking forward to covering. Initial plans were that I would be finished my shifts with the Green Team by this point as well but health issues in the first week forced me to pick up some shifts in the second week.
