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Meghan Patrick, Robyn Ottolini, Tebey, and Jade Eagleson
Lead In Nominations, Sound Check’s own Hendrik Pape nominated for Industry Person of the Year

As we say farewell to another year we thought it would be fun to look back at 20 (in no particular order) of our favourite moments, in pictures, from across Canada.

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.

It’s been a while since I’ve taken the time to sit down and write a Monday Musings post but this morning after hearing news of the attack on Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas I knew I had no choice but to write.

20 years ago I was a student at Canadore College in North Bay. We had this bar, called The Wall. It was a small venue but in its 20 year existence hosted some of the finest musicians Canada has ever produced.  It was also where I was first introduced to Jeff Martin and The Tea Party as they rolled across the country promoting their new album Transmission.

I’ll be completely honest that most years when our friends at Ottawa Dragon Boat announce their headliners, or their opening acts for that matter, I have little to no idea who they are. Aside from a few acts carried over from last summer’s RBC Royal Bank Bluesfest (Mother Mother, The Beaches and Alvvays) the same stood true this year.

I’ve been involved in the music industry in one way shape or form for the last 10 years and one thing that continues to surprise me is the shocking two sides that this industry has. I’ve always known it exists but until recently it’s never really affected me directly.

So we thought it was time to introduce all the readers to the amazing people behind the Sound Check Team.   Over the last five years SCE has grown leaps and bounds and we just thought maybe you wanted to get to know the team a little more. We are going to be EVERYWHERE this summer so don’t be shy,  stop us at a show to say hi.

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.

So the latest in fall tours has Jason Blaine, Tebey & James Otto hitting the road for the Three’s A Party Tour.  This one kicks off in Halifax on October 30th and stretches 22 Dates in just 31 days ending in Vancouver at the Roxy on November 29th.  You can grab your tickets here..When they go on sale THIS FRIDAY!  threesapartytour.com