Early in the new year our friends at Spotlight Ottawa brought to our attention plans for a charity event to benefit the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). The months that followed would lead to us being part of something extremely special. Months of hard work and planning brought us to last Saturday night, October 21…Sing Out for CHEO.
River Town Saints set to release debut album June 9
CCMA-nominated fun-loving country group, River Town Saints, are releasing their highly-anticipated debut self-titled album on June 9. With tracks produced by Chad Carlson, David “Dwave” Thomson, Gavin Slate, Jeremy Bortot, this eight-track album features upbeat, vibrant tracks, reflective of good times, love and life.
Hangin’ with the River Town Saints…
So a couple weeks back we had a chance to sit and chat with the boys from the River Town Saints. For those of you not familiar with these guys this is a great intro. With their current single A Little Bit Goes A Long Way climbing the charts (Check out our Mason Jar Session with the fella’s here.
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.
River Town Saints – Mason Jar Sessions
These boys may not be a house hold name YET. But let me tell you if you go see them live you will be sold immediately. They are a great group of fellas that love to have a good time. This is their first single at radio and it’s got that real cool groove to it. Get ready to crank this one up cause A Little Bit Goes A Long Way is on the rise! And please share this one, just as the title suggests a little share does go a long way.
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.
Ones to Watch in 2016
I get asked on a regular basis who I think is going to make the next big step and start getting some great opening gigs. It’s really not that easy. With the politics in the music business sometimes the one with all the talent doesn’t win out. But I can tell you the 10 artists listed below are all SUPER talented and have a great shot at making that next big step or maybe have already started that journey in 2015.
