Category Archives: Concert Reviews

Last night the community of Renfrew got together for the fifth annual Shake the Foundation event geared to raise money for the Renfrew Victoria Hospital Foundation. We were thrilled to sponsor this incredible event which this year featured headliners Jordan McIntosh and Sandi Skye.

A little bit of Texas came to Canada! The Eli Young Band took a right turn into southern Ontario for a couple of shows this week. So glad they did.

When given the opportunity to shoot photos and review a Blue Rodeo show recently in London ON, I couldn’t turn down the chance to catch these Canadian music icons in action. I have been a fan of Blue Rodeo since I was a child, growing up with their folk rock sound that so many recognize when heard.

Phil Vassar came ready to entertain at the Medina Event Center in Minnesota on Friday night. Minnesota was one of the stops on his cross-country “American Soul” tour.

Canada may have lost a music icon in Stompin’ Tom Conners, however, it doesn’t take long to find someone carrying on the honky tonk tradition of Americana style country music. Corb Lund, a true blooded Alberta boy, brought his Winter Campaign for the “Things That Can’t Be Undone” tour to The London Music Hall on Monday Feb 15, 2016, in London ON. 

Things really got hot in Aurora, Ontario Thursday Feb 4th.  It was wall to wall people and great music as I had the pleasure of attending a very special community centered event. This was the launch of the Say My Name Canada 2016 campaign at Aw Shucks Seafood Bar and Bistro.

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.

Trust Yourself, to have a great time at the Canadian Tire Centre with Blue Rodeo on Valentine’s Day. The Toronto, Ontario veteran band did not disappoint.

Friday night in Oshawa was, well…one hell of a party.

Nothing much gets me interested in going to Sarnia Ontario, however, when you line up two energy packed country music performers in a small venue, why not make the trek down the 402 to Lambton County? The Station Music Hall in Sarnia has a long history of bringing big names to their small stage, and the venue didn’t disappoint.

Eric Ethridge performs at the Station – Photo: Bill Woodcock

Etheridge and his clan of talented musicians opened up the hometown show with nothing less than a spectacular performance. This was the first time I have seen Eric perform and I couldn’t figure out who to keep my eye on while they were on the stage.  From Eric’s powerful vocals and work on the guitar to his fiddle player who is like a reincarnation of Jimi Hendrix with his visual display of fiddle playing. Eric and his boys got the crowd fired up with a solid 45-minute set of mainly originals and some classic country favourites. This guy and his band are a group we have to keep our eyes on in 2016. I think big things are about happen for them!

Eric Ethridge performs at the Station – Photo: Bill Woodcock

Up next, some guys who don’t need much of an intro in Ontario. They have been playing their brand of country music all over the province and Canada this past year including a cross country slot on the “Get a Little Crazy Tour”, with Tim Hicks and Jason Benoit.

Cold Creen County performs at the Station Mill in Sarnia – Photo: Bill Woodcock

This was my 4th time seeing the boys of Cold Creek County rock the stage and I must say every time I see them it just keeps getting better. Their presence on the stage is powerful and a small club is a great place to see them if you are lucky enough to get that chance. You become part of the show.

Cold Creek County performs at Mill Creek pub

They had the packed house singing along with their hits “Our Town “, and “Till The Wheels Come Off”. I sense a new summer anthem coming from these guys, too, with “Beer Weather”.  The crowd was rocking to it, throughout. They even threw in a couple of classic rock covers with their country style mixed in. The entire venue was rocking with their rendition of the Queen classic “Fat Bottom Girls“, and Joan Jett’s “I Love Rock and Roll”.

Brandon of Cold Creek out making the fans smile. Photo – Bill Woodcock

It was a good send off to the boys as they are heading south to Nashville, right after this stop, to do some showcasing and work. I predict big things coming from these guys, and we are already seeing their names pop up at a number of festivals this summer. If you have the chance, don’t miss their set. You’ll be impressed and be singing along in no time!

Bill Woodcock for Sound Check Entertainment