Day 1 of the BVJ was HOT literally and figuratively

 

TGIF … the first full day of music at the Big Valley Jamoboree was a SCORCHER … and the music was pretty hot too!

Arguably one of the hottest days of the year, reaching 30 degrees Celsius, even those seeking refuge in the songwriter’s tent were jockeying for the CFCW posters to fan themselves off.  Fortunately for those checking out the Production World Songwriter’s workshop, they were wildling entertained with tidbits not only on the meaning behind the songs but some interesting connections to each other and other country musicians.

 

Patricia Conroy is hosting all the workshops as well as getting the opportunity to perform. It was pointed out that last year, the thing to talk about was her writing a song with Reba (McEntire) … this year Patricia one-upped herself with co-writing credit on Trisha Yearwood’s latest release.  When Patricia performed one of her songs for the crowd, longtime friend Laurie Kerr couldn’t help but sing along.  In fact, Laurie’s love of music and singing was wonderfully evident in that she was incredibly attentive to ALL the performances on stage and made an effort to sing along with each and every one!

 

Aaron Goodvin, never having won anything apparently growing up in his quest for country music fame and fortune, saved his first win for one of the best … Canadian Country Music Association Songwriter of the Year.

 

Great thing about a songwriters workshop is that putting together a group of people on stage with different backgrounds and approaches to music and writing and sometimes even life, there is a great abundance in similarity and even connection. For example. Edmonton’s Celeigh Cardinal, who in theory wouldn’t be expected to be invited to participate in a country music festival given her genre of music is anything but, absolutely floored the crowd with her voice and stories.

 

Even more surprising to some, not only her sense of humor but her steadfast and long-lasting friendship with Aaron Goodvin.  She indicated they were BFFs and that Aaron should consider sharing some of his royalties with her … he didn’t not disagree with her so, Celeigh, you have a witness should you need one! 🙂

 

Aaron quickly went from the songwriters workshop to a meet and greet to a quick interview aired on the jumbo tron and right on stage … he had a non-stop day but that seemed to only rev up his performance engines because from the moment he took the stage there was one thing that stood out above all else, he was more than happy to be there and he was there to make sure the audience had as much fun as he did.

 

 

… but with the addition of an incredibly long catwalk, he figured he should probably work his way closer into the crowd.  Best part of Aaron’s walk out is the accidental photobomb by the drummer giving us the classic Home Alone pose …

 

Not only is the catwalk insanely long but it also branches off … if it wasn’t for need of lighting for the stage you could arguably fit the entire band, and then some along it and still have room to maneuver.

 

I don’t know if the carpet color choice was accidental or purposeful … but doesn’t it seem like Aaron is standing in the middle of a beach listening for the wave of noise from the crowd to sing along.

 

Kane Brown started his set with the most impressive entrance of the weekend so far … up on a custom built scissor lift / staircase in front of an enormous led screen. When he hit the actual stage, wasted no time in covering pretty much every square inch, engaging with both his band members and the audience, even posing for selfies mid song along the catwalk.

 

Another severe thunderstorm warning rolled up through the Canmore area towards the end of the evening …  just in time to delay Toby Keith from hitting the stage by over an hour. Unlike the wild light and sound show Mother Nature gave those on site Wednesday during prep, with even the porta potties all being knocked over like dominoes, this warning was more just posturing BUT with the safety of the audience and crew being paramount, necessary precautions were taken.

 

Along with Toby Keith being delayed, so did the performances over at the Coors Banquet stage for the “after party”. Shawn Austin, took the stage an hour after his originally scheduled time to a smaller than expected crowd because Toby Keith was still playing out his set on the mainstage … BUT … as he was near the end, the crowd started swarming over to catch the last half of his set. Shawn Austin took full advantage of his first time performing at the BVJ and completely utilized the tractor trailer flat deck used as a catwalk from the stage. With the weather still in question, he wasted no tie working up the crowd and somehow managing to reach out and high five the entire group of fans along the catwalk.

 

The downside, from a photographer standpoint, was the lack of spotlight available for when anyone walked onto the catwalk.  The only available light with an 11:30pm start on the Coors Banquet “after party” stage are the string lights illuminating the venue for the crowd … it was so dark even they realized trying to capture the set with their phones was futile.

The kick off party artists from Thursday night got a special treat given Brothers Osborne had requested the spotlights for the catwalk.