An annual tradition for most Canadians over the Thanksgiving long weekend is to enjoy the outdoors one last time before the cool air settles in and we move deeper into fall.
CCMA – Invictus Party
The content from the CCMA’s just continues to flow in. This time it’s from another one of the parties. This one is all about Invictus. And it was a fantastic night of music indeed. Taking place at London Music Hall I can tell you that Jim Cressman sure knows how to throw a party.
London Gets Fist Punched Hardcore
So here at Sound Check Entertainment we decided it was time to step out of our normal coverage again and cover something a little different for you, our loyal fans. And boy did we step out of the box!
Killer Send Off to Summer @ Lucknow MITF
That’s a wrap. WOW, not really sure if there is a better way to say goodbye to the summer of 2016. With over 8 high profile country music festivals in Ontario this summer I can honestly say that Lucknow Music In The Fields wins top spot in my books. Before I dealve into the music side of things lets just touch on the people behind the festival that make such an incredible event happen.
On this day in 2011 Sound Check Entertainment was born!
It’s hard to believe that it’s really only been 5 years since I first put pen to paper (so to speak) to write the first ever post for Sound Check Entertainment. Back then it was called the Hoedown Blogger and the platform was under the banner of the Ottawa Citizen but had it not been for that day none of what followed would be possible.
Tailgating in London ON before the Circus show
Our friends over at Budweiser Gardens in London, ON, sure know how to throw a kick ass party on a Saturday night. Invite Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year winner, Jason Aldean, to bring his Six String Circus Tour to town with Thomas Rhett and A Thousand Horses, throw in some local country artists, rocking the parking lot before the show, and you have yourself one heck of a tailgate party.
Sloan strikes One Chord to Another in London
Canadian alternative rock icons from the 90’s, Sloan, made a stop in London on May 10th on their,”One Chord to Another”, tour. The tour is promoting their recently released box set that includes all the hits of that past 25 years. London Music Hall played host to this awesome night of music and those in the club got what they came for – Sloan, and lots of it.
Gerry Dee has London on the floor at Budweiser Gardens.
Canadian stand-up comedian and TV sitcom star, Gerry Dee, rolled his stand up tour into London’s Budweiser Gardens the other night for an intimate show in the RBC Theatre. For those who have never been to an RBC theatre show, you are missing out on a fabulous venue. Take one end of a hockey arena and throw a stage in it and you have the basics of a great venue where you feel like you’re sitting on the stage with the artist.
Gord Bamford Drops Tin Roof on CMT
Back on a chilly night at the end of January, I was lucky to be one of maybe 100 people to sit in on a taping of, “The Drop”, on CMT. This night was all about Gord Bamford’s upcoming release, “Tin Roof”.
After the small crowd shuffled into the historic Aeolian Hall, in London, it was time to get rolling. Jesse Mast warmed up the crowd with a couple of tunes. He is going to be someone to watch this coming year with his recent release to radio of, “Bad Blood”. You won’t want to miss him on the Certified Country Tour this summer with Gord Bamford and Joe Nichols.
With a quick run down on what was going to happen from the show’s director, producers, and the crew from CMT, it was time for all of us in the intimate crowd to put on our TV faces and get ready to be a star. Wait, who am I kidding, the real star was Gord Bamford.
Without giving too much away of what happened that night, because we want you to catch the show, let’s just say you won’t be disappointed. (LINK TO WATCH ONLINE HERE)
Gord and his band were very engaging with the small crowd, having a few chats here and there, along with playing a couple of requests. There was a moment where he asked the crowd what his next single should be. All I will say about that is the song I chose didn’t make it, however, I think closer to summer he will be releasing a cottage and camping anthem, which will includes two of my favorite things, breakfast and beer.
After about an hour, the director yelled out the famous words, “that’s a wrap!”, and now it was time for Gord and his band to have a little fun for the small crowd that was there. We got to hear some classic Gord Bamford songs, and it felt like we got to let loose and enjoy the evening. There was a great rendition of, “Don’t Stop Believing”, by Lisa Dobbs, who plays bass in Gord’s band. The band was rocking and having a good time.
The night had to come to an end, however, but not without Gord spending a few minutes signing some autographs and taking a few photos with the fans who were lucky enough to score a spot on the guest list that night.
Bill Woodcock / @BillWoodcock
Lights on the Horizon Shines Bright in London Ontario
The, “Lights on the Horizon” tour, rolled into a rainy Thursday night in London, Ontario, on March 24th. Budweiser Gardens would be the host for this highly anticipated tour, co-headlined by Metric and Death Cab for Cutie. Never having seen either band before, I was excitedly anticipating the night ahead.
