For the past two months Air Guitar Canada has been hosting qualifying championship rounds in various cities across Canada, and tonight the qualifying Champions, along with last minute Dark Horse entrants wield their invisible axes (guitars) to battle it out for the title of Canada’s 2017 Air Guitar Champion.
1000 Islands Regatta announces All-Star 2017 Entertainment Lineup
For the last 10 years the 1000 Islands Regatta has been a staple event along the shores of the St. Lawrence River in Brockville. Each year organizers take it up just one more notch when it comes to their entertainment and after last year’s success with Canadian rocker Kim Mitchell organizers promised that 2017 would be even better to celebrate Canada’s 150th Birthday and today it was announced that they kept their promise!
My Top 20 Concert Shots of 2016
This was my first year really getting serious about doing photography. Admittedly the learning curve was huge, but the development and rewards were 100% worth the struggle. From sneaking my camera into shows at the beginning of the year, to working the stage at the CTC by the end, it’s been a wild ride.
Music Magic in London with The Cadillac Three
For concert goers (who, let’s face it, is essentially our entire readership so you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about) there are those rare and elusive nights that I like to call “Music Magic.” The fans know it; the band knows it; and as you’re leaving you can hear everyone in the audience saying a variation of the same thing: “That was unbelievable!” On August 31st at Cowboy’s Ranch in London, Ontario The Cadillac Three made music magic.
Steel Panther Slip into London Music Hall
When California glam rockers, “Steel Panther”, announced their latest tour with a stop in London Ontario, I knew this was a show we could not miss to review. This venue is one of our favorite venues to catch shows at, here in London, ON. The London Music Hall was set to play host to the throwback, 80’s glam rock days. While parking the car nearby, I couldn’t help but notice that there was a lot more neon spandex-wearing men in downtown London than on a normal Monday night.
The night kicked off with a few local acts tearing up the stage and getting the spandex clad fans riled up for the show to start. Toronto rockers, “Diemondz”, got the crowd firing on all cylinders with their metal sound and great stage show. If you can catch them, you should, the put on one heck of a show.
Then it was time! The hair, the make-up, the spandex, and the profanity were about to begin. “Steel Panther”, graced the stage and the place went into overdrive! By far, one of the loudest and craziest fan bases I have ever seen at a show in the London Music Hall.
Steel Panther rock the London Music Hall – Photo: Bill Woodcock
If you don’t know who Steel Panther is, they are well known in the rock circle for their exaggerated stage show, profane lyrics and the humorous tones to their show. It’s more than just a rock show, it’s a comedy act all wrapped up into one. With audience participation, in the form of screaming, yelling, and throwing of undergarments, it was clear I wasn’t in my normal element of country music in London, ON. With that being said, it’s a show everyone, (well maybe not everyone), should take in once in their life. If you’re looking to catch them, they are going to be at the Sound Academy in Toronto on November, 29th, 2016. Tickets are on sale for that show but get them quick! It’s almost guaranteed to sell out.
More Images…
Steel Panther rock the London Music Hall – Photo: Bill Woodcock
Steel Panther rock the London Music Hall – Photo: Bill Woodcock
Steel Panther rock the London Music Hall – Photo: Bill Woodcock
Steel Panther rock the London Music Hall – Photo: Bill Woodcock
Steel Panther rock the London Music Hall – Photo: Bill Woodcock
It’s All About The South!
The vibe on the night of May 25th was felt all the way out in the rain soaked line cueing up outside of Nashville’s live music venue, The Basement.
Country Music Festivals – Are There Too Many?
So let’s start off with the fact that I LOVE LIVE MUSIC. I love it so much that I, a full grown man, feel completely justified in using shouty capitals when I write about how much I LOVE it. Just ask my wife (who will inevitably be asking me why I didn’t put her name in caps) – I would be at a concert every night if I could (with her by my side of course). I have been contemplating writing this post for a couple weeks now and thought after hearing about another big US Country Music Festival closing up shop this summer it was time to post this one.
Eric Ethridge & Kelsi Mayne cover “Home Alone Tonight”
Well as some of you know I am a bit of a fan of this Eric Ethridge, and I really think that 2016 may bring some huge things for him and I truly believe Eric is on the cusp of breaking through. He and I were chatting this morning and he sent me this AMAZING cover of Luke Bryan & Karen Fairchilds Home Alone Tonight. He teamed up with the VERY talented Kelsi Mayne on this one. Watch out Canada these two have some major talent. Don’t be shy.. Let us know what you think!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUlktEpSEgA&feature=youtu.be
Corey Kelly / @CoreyKelly76
Havelock Jamboree 2016 – 1st Line Up Announcement
So the fine folks over at the storied Havelock Jamboree made a bit of a splash today with their 1st Artist Announcement for 2016 Edition of the Jambo. Here is what we were told today…
Hendrik’s Top Country Artists to Watch in 2016
After reading through Corey’s top 10 artists to watch in 2016 I started thinking of who I would put in that list. There are definitely similarities between my 10 and Corey’s, as you will see. 2015 has been a big year for Canadian country music from the tour perspective with all the major players hitting the road, Dallas Smith started the year with his hugely successful “Tippin’ Point Tour” featuring Sundy Best and now this fall Dean Brody and Paul Brandt just wrapped up their “Road Trip Tour”, Brett Kissel and Jordan McIntosh are currently on the road with their “Airwaves Tour” and Tebey kicks off his “Three’s A Party Tour” with Jason Blaine and James Otto on Friday in Halifax and to cap off the year Tim Hicks is hitting the road with Cold Creek County and Jason Benoit for their “Get A Little Crazy Tour”. Notice something missing? Out of all the tours above only the “Road Trip Tour” featured tomatoes as an added ingredient with Lindi Ortega, Jess Moskaluke, Madeline Merlo and Whitney Rose featured throughout the tour.
So let’s take a look at who I think has the greatest chance of breaking out in the coming year, 2016.
