Category Archives: Concert Reviews

George Canyon performs at Nashville North- Photo: Ray Williams

I was excited to be able to Photograph and review George Canyon at Nashville North in a place called Norval, just outside Georgetown Ontario. You’re probably wondering why I am pin pointing this on a map. It’s easy, I grew up in Mississauga and Nashville North was the only county bar around for ever. Heck they didn’t even have an enclosed mall in Georgetown when I first started to go to Nashville North. So when you get a top Canadian Country star like George Canyon It’s a big deal. It showed last night when I asked if this was a sell-out, I got a hell Yeah!!!!

There is no better way to spend a Sunday evening than at Roger’s K-Rock Centre enjoying the sights and sounds of a live rock concert. Quite frankly, there isn’t a bad seat in the entire 5000 plus seat facility in the heart of downtown Kingston. And nothing compliments a mustard covered pretzel quite like a night of synth pop and drum fills.

Metric perform at Roger’s K-Rock Centre in Kingston March 20, 2016 – photo by Sydney Butters for Sound Check Entertainment

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.

What happens when you have a multi platinum selling headliner, then you add multi platinum selling support act, and then add a relatively “new” act embarking on his first national tour? You get an overload to the audio/visual senses! Mariana’s Trench, in full stride on their Never Say Die national tour held their fans in the palm of their hands Friday night at the jam packed Molson Centre in Barrie, Ontario.

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. 

Justin Moore brought his Honky Tonkin’ ways to Treasure Island Casino just after taking few months off the road while working on his new album.  Justin started out the night taking the crowd back to his #1 hit Point at You from his 2013 album Off The Beaten Path. The crowd got up on their feet singing along and dancing as he continued to play past hits, How I Got to Be This Way, Till My Last Day and Beer Time.

A night of authenticity, honor, heartfelt appreciation and admiration was surrounding the audience as Frankie Ballard performed a memorable show at the historic Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa on Saturday night. This was one of the stops on his National Tour. 

First thing you think about Vegas sure isn’t Country Music. But let me tell you after Wednesday nights performance by Rascal Flatts at The Joint, I think Country should own Sin City.

February 26th was a special night in London ON with a couple of big anniversaries in the Country music landscape for the city and the region. The first big anniversary was the celebration of Cowboys Ranch, marking 10 years as a country music club.