Chase Rice and the JD & Jesus tour hit the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver this past weekend and the place was ELECTRIC. This was the first time seeing Chase Rice & The Cadillac Three perform. I have covered events at the Commodore in the past but this one seemed to just have a bit more energy to it.
Chris Young in Duluth…
Sorry for the delay on this one folks…
Chris Young was originally scheduled to bring his I’m Coming Home tour to Duluth, MN (AMSOIL Arena) on December 3rd, but canceled due to strep. However, as promised, Chris didn’t let fans down when he brought the tour back to town on January 9th.
Next Women of Country @ Rama
This past Friday night the CMT Next Women of Country tour kicked off at Casino Rama. For those not familiar with the idea of this tour last year CMT (USA) announced a short 10 date tour with Jana Kramer and Kelsea Ballerini which had some fantastic success. So CMT decided to up the ante with the 2016 edition with the likes of new comers Tara Thompson and Lindsay Ell along with the talented Brandy Clark while being headlined by the amazing Jennifer Nettles. Not a bad line up at all. They have scheduled a 38 date tour that kicked off in Canada at Casino Rama .
Tara Thompson performs @ Casino Rama on the Next Women Of Country Tour – Photo: Corey Kelly
The evening started off with emerging artist Tara Thompson taking the stage for a brief 2 song set (shortened set from the rest of the dates on the tour I was told) I had the chance to chat with Tara earlier in the day and take in a 5 song performance where she wowed the crowd. Now the set times were slightly moved up to allow for all 4 artists to perform and get the show wrapped up by 11ish. So with only 2 songs to perform in front of a surprisingly somewhat full venue, considering the start time change Tara laced into her quick set and got things kicked off in grand style.
Lindsay Ell Performs during the Next Women of Country tour stop at Casino Rama – Photo: Corey Kelly
Next up was Canada’s own Lindsay Ell. Lindsay has really started to turn heads in Nashville these days with songs such as Shut Me Up and Trippin’ On Us getting spins on Satellite Radio (The Highway of course). Lindsay also only had a quick set to impress. I know the lady sitting beside me was. She couldn’t believe the sound that the girl and the guitar could make with the loop pedals etc. Lindsay is one hell of a guitar player as well. Was great to see her back in Ontario that is for sure.
Lindsay Ell Performs during the Next Women of Country tour stop at Casino Rama – Photo: Corey Kelly
After Lindsay wrapped up it was time for Brandy Clark. I have seen Brandy perform only one other time, when she opened for Eric Church in London last year and she was killer then. Well, not much has changed. She is still killer. Having talked to a couple walking into the venue, they had mentioned that they had come to actually see Brandy Clark, which comes as a bit of a surprise because Brandy has little to no radio play in Canada not sure if that is lack of record label publicity or lack of Country Music stations having too much to choose from these days. BUT.. That said Brandy put on a fantastic 45 min set. But she definitely had the crowd listening.. With her very smart lyrics and great voice to match Brandy Clark is definitely one of those NEXT big things in country music.
You could hear a pin drop in here…@CasinoRamaLive @TheBrandyClark pic.twitter.com/XOE1dhonPy
— Sound Check Ent. (@SoundCheckBlg) January 16, 2016
Then it was time for the lovely Jennifer Nettles. Now Jennifer is about to release her upcoming 2nd solo album and she performed a few off it on Friday along with a plethora of her former hits. With her hit Stay being one that I could just see everyone waiting for and when it started the crowd let her know they were excited to hear it.
Jennifer Nettles Performs during the Next Women of Country stop @ Casino Rama – Photo: Corey Kelly
Now Jennifer is another artists I had never actually had the pleasure of seeing before. Her voice is so recognizable and flawless live. When she kicked things off with her current single Playing with Fire it started with a punch. And it wasn’t till about 4 songs in before it slowed down a little. As you know I am not one to give you a set list of songs performed because I like to leave a little bit of a surprise for those attending the show later in the tour. But easily the stand outs for me were Playing With Fire and Unlove You. Both off the new album coming out in early April. If you have a chance to catch the Next Women of Country Tour I would strong suggest you going. Country music is due for an overhaul from bro-country and these 4 ladies are a hell of a start!
Jennifer Nettles Performs during the Next Women of Country stop @ Casino Rama – Photo: Corey Kelly
Jennifer Nettles Performs during the Next Women of Country stop @ Casino Rama – Photo: Corey Kelly
We had a lot going on Friday with Mason Jar Sessions with both Lindsay & Tara watch for those in the coming weeks! And check out what else is happening over at Casinor Rama here…
CoreyKelly / @CoreyKelly76
The South Rocks The Danforth
Chase Rice’s JD & Jesus Tour rolled into the always amazing Danforth Music Hall in Toronto on Saturday night and lets just say, the South was rockin’ the Great White North. If you have been reading the site the last couple month’s you may have noticed that the Cadillac Three have caught my eye as of late. So to have the boys playing the direct support spot on the tour was a win for me.
Jess Moskaluke Rocks KX Country
This past Thursday night Jess Moskaluke blew the doors off the Phoenix. Well, what was left of them anyway.
Autumn Hill & Friends in Ontario
It was late November and Autumn Hill, Jason Benoit and River Town Saints played four shows on a quick little jaunt across Ontario with the first stop in Ottawa then off to Hamilton, Kitchener and London to close things out. Four fantastic nights of music. We were made it to three of the shows and well we all agreed that all were fantastic.
Headstones Still Kickin’ Ass (Barrie Review)
So let’s start off with the this….
Tim Hicks Ready to Shock The World…
Wow, not really sure what else to say. Saturday night Tim Hicks and the boys played the final show of the Get A Little Crazy Tour. Tim’s very first headlining tour. Now if you follow me on Facebook you may have seen a post from earlier today. I have seen Tim countless times. From the mall show two years ago to Bala, Boots & Hearts and of course the Riser tour to name a few of the highlight performances but Saturday in Oshawa was a whole new level of Tim Hicks the entertainer.
Tim Hicks brings the Crazy to Guelph…
After having sat with Tim Hicks on a few occasions over the last 2 years its been pretty amazing watching his popularity on the Canadian country music scene flourish. I can recall sitting down with Tim 2 years ago at Boots and Hearts and talking about his contentment in just being a part of the country music scene in Ontario. Last night while standing amid a throng of eager, sweat-drenched fans who were belting out word-for-word the lyrics to nearly every song in his set I was overwhelmed by how quickly things have changed.
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
