Category Archives: Country, Bluegrass & Folk

Tim & THE GLORY BOYS release NEW TRACK “BLOODLINES”

With their superb 16^th studio album Many A Mile (out December 3), legendary alt-country/rockers Blue Rodeo discovered that even nightmares like COVID-19 can have silver linings.  After decades of non-stop performing, time off the road granted them (enforced, really) much-needed downtime during which creativity bloomed. Pandemic protocols also meant recording in novel ways, with Blue Rodeo co-singer/songwriters Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor working separately, while sharing band members – bassist Bazil Donovan, drummer Glenn Milchem, keyboardist Michael Boguski, guitarist Colin Cripps and multi-instrumentalist Jim Bowskill – on a rotating but relaxed basis.

Editors Note: April 28, 2022 – Chris Stapleton announced today that the London, Ottawa and Montreal dates are being postponed

CHRIS STAPLETON’S
ALL-AMERICAN ROAD SHOW
GOES TO CANADA
WITH ELLE KING

TICKETS ON SALE DECEMBER 3 AT 10 AM

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT www.livenation.com
All Ages / General Admission and Reserved Seating

Republic Live, producers of Boots and Hearts Music Festival, today announced the highly anticipated line-up of headliners for the 2022 festival including multi-Grammy award-winning country music superstar Shania Twain.  Joined by Sam Hunt and Florida Georgia Line, Twain returns home to headline Canada’s largest camping and country music festival taking place from August 4-7, 2022, at Burl’s Creek Event Grounds in Oro-Medonte, Ontario.

NOMINATED FOR FIVE 2021 CCMA AWARDS SMITH IS SET TO DEBUT HIS BRAND-NEW SINGLE “HIDE FROM A BROKEN HEART” WITH A SPECIAL PERFORMANCE ON THE CCMA AWARDS NOVEMBER 29

2022 Canadian Tour Set To Kick Off May 24 With James Barker Band & Special Guest Meghan Patrick Plus Shawn Austin, JoJo Mason, Kelly Prescott & Manny Blu

Tickets On Sale Friday, November 26

On November 19, 2021, I was able to photograph Robyn Ottolini and Lindsay Ell at Midway for their first stop of Ell’s Want Me Back Canadian tour at Midway in Edmonton, Alberta.

Hot on the heels of their sixth nomination for Group of the Year at the CCMA Awards– and 3x-reigning winners in that category – The Washboard Union are heading back on the road for the “Everbound For Your Town Tour,” with stops in 24 Canadian cities and towns.

The Tour Is Set to Be One of The Longest Running Artist Tours in Canadian History

Abbey Stewart played the Isabel Bader Centre For The Performing Arts at Queen’s University in Kingston on October 26th and we were there! Photos: Ron Pettitt

Blue Rodeo’s first album, Outskirts came out 34 years ago, longer ago than most bands ever see. They are not only still playing together, but actually getting ready for a brand new release, Many A Mile, which will be available to you on December 3^rd. A band of the stature of Blue Rodeo could just go out there and play the hits and people would be happy, but last night at Leon’s Centre, they unveiled a handful of new songs, possibly future hits.

Being the first concert at Leon’s Centre since February of 2020, people are starved for live music and they came out last night, and were not disappointed. The concert started out with a couple of well known hits, Trust Yourself and Diamond Mine to get things rolling.

Blue Rodeo, Leon’s Centre, Kingston. November 6, 2021. Photo: Ron Pettitt

They sprinkled in a selection of the new tunes like Ride Your Bike, I Owe It To Myself, When You Were Wild and I think About You. Jim Cuddy jokingly commented about people not wanting to hear new music but added “new songs have to start somewhere”. Blue Rodeo still have things to say, and that’s a good thing.

One of the highlights for me was a moment about halfway through when the band left Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor onstage to do an acoustic version of Bad Timing. It was great to have a more intimate moment with them and Jim can still hit those high notes as well as he ever did.

When the rest of the band returned, we heard a great version of The Railroad where Colin Cripps traded licks with the mandolin of Jimmy Bowskill who currently plays with The Sheepdogs but pops up in many other places when called upon. If it has strings on it, it’s likely Jimmy can play it. Colin Cripps is quite possibly one of Canada’s best guitar players and I thought he played a stellar show last night, treating the audience to some world class guitar solos.

Blue Rodeo, Leon’s Centre, Kingston. November 6, 2021. Photo: Ron Pettitt

Jim Cuddy has a voice that for most Canadians is instantly recognizable. He has given us some great performances such as the song Try, which was in the encore along with You’re Everywhere and Lost Together. Try was Blue Rodeo’s introduction to most people and even today stands as a crowd favourite as was evident last week. Cuddy’s vocal range was amazing and last night’s performance by the whole band was amazing. Maybe they are as excited to play as we are to listen. As I drove home from the show, I thought about the evening and I was moved. I had just witnessed a great moment in Canadian music, Blue Rodeo remains one of the best. Great to be back.

If you haven’t seen the show yet, you still have time with stops coming up in Peterborough, Barrie and Niagara Falls. Check out Blue Rodeo’s website for more information.