It’s Canadian Music Week as some are aware but for those of you not in the GTA that might mean absolutely nothing. I try to partake as much as possible but with 2 little ones now the time is limited on what to attend so I choose carefully. This past Thursday night I made the decision to catch Tanya Marie Harris, Leah Daniels and The Road Hammers play one of my favorite venues in the city Boots and Bourbon Saloon.
For those of you who haven’t had a chance to make it to Boots, I can tell you that it’s a more intimate setting only fitting about 350 ppl in the venue. If you ever get a chance to see a BIG chart topping artist in such a small venue you kinda have to take it. I was able to catch up with Leah Daniels before the show so watch for that interview in the next week or so. Doors opened at 8pm, showtime was 8:15 with Tanya Marie Harris hitting the stage.
Tanya Marie Harris @ Boots & Bourbon – Photo: Corey Kelly
Now I hadn’t had a chance to see Tanya play live before so was excited to hear something new. She put in a solid 35 minute performance playing some great original tracks along with a cover or two for good measure. She had the crowd groovin’ and was a perfect warm up set to kick the night off.
Leah Daniels has been one of those artists that I have been wanting to see again for quite some time. I hadn’t seen Leah in almost 2 years and it was great to see her up on stage with so much more confidence and stage presence.
Leah Daniels @ Boots and Bourbon – CMW – Photo: Trish Cassling
Leah kicked her 45 min set off with Out of the City which has such a punchy beat and catchy lyricand was then followed up with Boots & Jeans. The song that caught my attention early in the set was a song by the title So In Love. This one just had a great feeling all around there were a couple other highlights of the set and being a country boy the Yodeling in Swiss Moon was AMAZING! I LOVED this one, the tempo kept the packed house hungry for more from Miss Daniels.
Leah Daniels @ Boots and Bourbon – CMW – Photo: Corey Kelly
Leah the switched gears and gave us a taste of her new single Dream Without You which will be going to radio in the next couple weeks as well a new video that will air on CMT in the very near future. When I had a chance to talk to Leah earlier in the day she had mentioned it as a bit slower than her current single but when she stepped away from the keyboard and lit the room up with her vocals it was game over! She hit this new one out of the park. I hope those at Radio aren’t shy when it lands in their IN BOX. Because I got a feeling this is Leah’s hit song for the summer. Leah finished the set strong with her current Top 20 hit Go Back. Which left the crowd wanting more. Leah will be all over the map this summer at Boots and Hearts along with Manitoulin Country Fest and Cowapolooza to name a few. Trust me she is worth the drive across Ontario to hit these dates.
The Road Hammers – CMW – Photo: Trish Cassling
As we neared the 10 O’clock hour the place was brimming with folks ready to see one of Canada’s biggest country acts in the last decade. It has been 5 months since the Bands On The Run tour and we were all in need of our Hammer fix. When the boys kicked flicked the party switch to on.. The crowd reacted with a thunderous ROAR and the boys kicked things off with the title track on their current album Wheels and lets just say there was no turning back… They no pun intended “Hammered” out 13 tracks while still having the amazing fan interaction that we have come to love from Jason, Clay & Chris.
Clayton makin’ it count Thursday Night @ Boots And Bourbon – Photo: Corey Kelly
It was the big smash hit Mud that seemed to have the crowd at their peak of the night. The crazy awesome harmonics by Clayton on the intro had them pumpin the beers in the air and crackin’ the hard wood floors of the Saloon with the thunderous boot stompin’. Mud is definitely one of those songs that will be engrained in the Canadian country music blood line for years. I have seen these guys perform some pretty big shows over the last couple years (Lucknow being the most memorable) but seeing them at Boots and Bourbon was pretty sweet and they did not disappoint.
Clayton laying it down for us on his Epiphone battle axe – Boots & Bourbon – Photo: Trish Cassling
Jason did let a bit of info slip on Thursday night with the title of the new CD along with that NEW music will be sooner than later! New ALBUM is Fueled By Rednecks which just seems fitting for this group of amazing redneck misfits. The night ended with Hillbilly Highway and the only way this may have been any better had Colt Ford walked out on stage and cranked out his verse.
The Road Hammers @ Boots & Bourbon – Photo: Trish Cassling
I am still holding out hope that Colt will end up coming North of the border for one hell of Kick Off Party on the NEW Stage set to accommodate approximately 30,000 people at Boots and Hearts this August. The Road Hammers are scheduled to Headline the Kick Off Party on Thursday night with label and Band on the Run tour mates Black Jack Billy along with Old Dominion, Jess Moskaluke & The Reklaws. After last years big let down being rained out at one of Canada’s BIGGEST Country Music Festival it was only fitting that they kick the party off. We can’t wait for the BIG Stage show in August!
Want more info on any of the artists above take a look here.
The Road Hammers
Website – http://theroadhammers.com/
Facebook – The Road Hammers
Twitter – @theroadhammers
Leah Daniels
Website- www.leahdaniels.com
Facebook – Leah Daniels
Twitter – @LeahDaniels
Tanya Marie Harris
Websiite – www.tanyamarieharris.com
Facebook – Tanya Marie Harris
Twitter – @TMharrismusic
