For the third year in a row, Coors Banquet is looking to name Canada’s top One Horse Town and award them with a legendary country music concert. Last year’s winner, Truro, Nova Scotia, was treated to the biggest concert the town has ever seen, featuring Dean Brody, Chad Brownlee, and the River Town Saints. The 2017 contest, which officially opened April 17, boasts the biggest country music acts in its three year history: multi-platinum Grammy winning superstar Darius Rucker will be headlining the concert joined by 2017 ACM New Male Vocalist Award winner Jon Pardi, three-time reigning CCMA Female Artist Of The Year and 2017 JUNO Award winner Jess Moskaluke and hot newcomers James Barker Band.
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
Cory Marquardt – Nowhere With You
This past summer we had the chance to film a pretty sweet Mason Jar Session with one of Canada’s best young talents Cory Marquardt. There is no doubt in my mind that Cory is one very talented individual. He released a new video to CMT on Monday and we want to share it with you. Here is his current single Nowhere With You.
And if you want to hear a killer acoustic version crank this one up!
Corey Kelly / @CoreyKelly76
CMT Canada not gonna be Country no more?
Some scary news for Country Music in Canada this morning….
Next Women of Country @ Rama
This past Friday night the CMT Next Women of Country tour kicked off at Casino Rama. For those not familiar with the idea of this tour last year CMT (USA) announced a short 10 date tour with Jana Kramer and Kelsea Ballerini which had some fantastic success. So CMT decided to up the ante with the 2016 edition with the likes of new comers Tara Thompson and Lindsay Ell along with the talented Brandy Clark while being headlined by the amazing Jennifer Nettles. Not a bad line up at all. They have scheduled a 38 date tour that kicked off in Canada at Casino Rama .
Tara Thompson performs @ Casino Rama on the Next Women Of Country Tour – Photo: Corey Kelly
The evening started off with emerging artist Tara Thompson taking the stage for a brief 2 song set (shortened set from the rest of the dates on the tour I was told) I had the chance to chat with Tara earlier in the day and take in a 5 song performance where she wowed the crowd. Now the set times were slightly moved up to allow for all 4 artists to perform and get the show wrapped up by 11ish. So with only 2 songs to perform in front of a surprisingly somewhat full venue, considering the start time change Tara laced into her quick set and got things kicked off in grand style.
Lindsay Ell Performs during the Next Women of Country tour stop at Casino Rama – Photo: Corey Kelly
Next up was Canada’s own Lindsay Ell. Lindsay has really started to turn heads in Nashville these days with songs such as Shut Me Up and Trippin’ On Us getting spins on Satellite Radio (The Highway of course). Lindsay also only had a quick set to impress. I know the lady sitting beside me was. She couldn’t believe the sound that the girl and the guitar could make with the loop pedals etc. Lindsay is one hell of a guitar player as well. Was great to see her back in Ontario that is for sure.
Lindsay Ell Performs during the Next Women of Country tour stop at Casino Rama – Photo: Corey Kelly
After Lindsay wrapped up it was time for Brandy Clark. I have seen Brandy perform only one other time, when she opened for Eric Church in London last year and she was killer then. Well, not much has changed. She is still killer. Having talked to a couple walking into the venue, they had mentioned that they had come to actually see Brandy Clark, which comes as a bit of a surprise because Brandy has little to no radio play in Canada not sure if that is lack of record label publicity or lack of Country Music stations having too much to choose from these days. BUT.. That said Brandy put on a fantastic 45 min set. But she definitely had the crowd listening.. With her very smart lyrics and great voice to match Brandy Clark is definitely one of those NEXT big things in country music.
You could hear a pin drop in here…@CasinoRamaLive @TheBrandyClark pic.twitter.com/XOE1dhonPy
— Sound Check Ent. (@SoundCheckBlg) January 16, 2016
Then it was time for the lovely Jennifer Nettles. Now Jennifer is about to release her upcoming 2nd solo album and she performed a few off it on Friday along with a plethora of her former hits. With her hit Stay being one that I could just see everyone waiting for and when it started the crowd let her know they were excited to hear it.
Jennifer Nettles Performs during the Next Women of Country stop @ Casino Rama – Photo: Corey Kelly
Now Jennifer is another artists I had never actually had the pleasure of seeing before. Her voice is so recognizable and flawless live. When she kicked things off with her current single Playing with Fire it started with a punch. And it wasn’t till about 4 songs in before it slowed down a little. As you know I am not one to give you a set list of songs performed because I like to leave a little bit of a surprise for those attending the show later in the tour. But easily the stand outs for me were Playing With Fire and Unlove You. Both off the new album coming out in early April. If you have a chance to catch the Next Women of Country Tour I would strong suggest you going. Country music is due for an overhaul from bro-country and these 4 ladies are a hell of a start!
Jennifer Nettles Performs during the Next Women of Country stop @ Casino Rama – Photo: Corey Kelly
Jennifer Nettles Performs during the Next Women of Country stop @ Casino Rama – Photo: Corey Kelly
We had a lot going on Friday with Mason Jar Sessions with both Lindsay & Tara watch for those in the coming weeks! And check out what else is happening over at Casinor Rama here…
CoreyKelly / @CoreyKelly76
Wanna See Johnny Reid LIVE?
Sound Check is happy to say we have teamed up with CMT Canada to offer 3 lucky winners a pair of tickets to the Johnny Reid – One Night Stand. For those of you that didn’t make it to see Florida Georgia Line last year you won’t want to miss this one! Johnny Reid is unreal live and seeing him in an intimate setting would just be one heck of an experience. We want to send 3 lucky readers + a guest to catch the show in Toronto.
Who wants to see Shania Twain?
BIG NEWS means an even BIGGER CONTEST!
Thats right folks, we have your chance to be in the audience while CMT Chevrolet Top 20 host Paul McGuire chats with one of Canada’s most beloved artists Shania Twain!
CMT Hit Exchange
So last night I made a point to watch something I have been meaning to watch for the last month or so. I was pretty vocal on social media in Sept and Oct of 2014 saying that Canada needed to step up and put a CMT Crossroads thing together with some of Canada’s amazing talent in both Rock & Country.
Coming up in 2015
We made some major inroads over the course of 2014 and laid the foundation for an incredible 2015. Interviews with bigger artists, more festivals, more events, more contests…it’s going to be amazing. Here’s our look ahead.
