KX Country Archives - Sound Check Entertainment

#Country4FortMac

Sometimes the stars align and things just seem to be perfect and nothing can knock that feeling away. Well last Thursday night in Toronto all the country stars you could think of showed up and played one of the best venues in the city in support of the relief efforts for Fort McMurray. It was honestly one of the coolest and intimate experiences I have had in a long time. Along with raising just over $17,000 for the cause. #Country4FortMac

Monday Musings CMAO Awards Edition

It’s CMAO Monday so I thought it would be fun to dedicate this week’s edition of Monday Musings to discuss my picks for the third annual event. I should mention that I personally am not a member of the Country Music Association of Ontario, yet, so my picks have not influenced the outcome of tonight’s awards.

Fort McMurray Benefit Concert

Wow..

So over the last couple weeks we have been working hand in hand with some of Canada’s leading music industry personel to put together one heck of a night in Toronto in support of the families in Fort McMurray that have lost everything. Here are the details on what is sure to be a night to remember.

Boots and Hearts Pre-Game Party – Toronto

KX Country and Boots & Hearts teamed up to bring the biggest Country Show to CMW. With the likes of red hot Meghan Patrick and a band that had by far one of the best performances of last years Boots and Hearts Festival with Blackjack Billy taking the headlining honours. For those of you that were part of that 30,000+ Kick off party you will know that the boys in BJB tore the roof off the Front Porch stage on that beautiful Thursday night.

The Lovelocks Pour Everything Into CD Release…

I recently had the opportunity to take in The Lovelocks EP release party at the Mod Club in Toronto, and I’m glad I did. I had heard great things about the duo of Ali Raney and Zoe Neumann, but this would be the first time I would catch them live.

The Lovelocks perform at The Mod Club for CD Release Party – Photo: Mike Highfield

Getting to the venue a little early I had a casual exchange with a longtime fan who was pretty excited to tell me how she has had them play at her house a couple of times in the past, and went on about how wonderful the girls are as both musicians and people. With the crowd that filled the Mod club it was obvious The Lovelocks have collected loyal fans over time and they’re all just as excited for whats to come as the girls might be themselves.

The Lovelocks perform at The Mod Club for CD Release Party – Photo: Mike Highfield

Prior to the show kicking off was a fan meet and greet where I saw how Ali and Zoe interacted with fans, they were so warm and down to earth. A great start to the night for those lucky Facebook contest winners.

SoundCheck Contest Winners with The Lovelocks – Photo: Mike Highfield

The show began with the upbeat title track from their new EP Born To Love. It set the tone for the evening and I knew this was a great night of country music to attend. One thing I love in country songs is a solid harmony and these two really nail it. It just soothes whatever ails you. They played songs off the new EP like Radio, Simple Stuff, I Do not and also threw in some covers of Cyndi Lauper’s Time After Time, and Dolly’s Jolene. The Lovelocks then got some crowd participation going with their bubbly tune Dance, which they joked that it’s one they have had people dancing to in old folks homes so theres no reason we couldn’t. I would call it a guilt trip but, I think people were already ready and willing to dance.

The Lovelocks perform at The Mod Club for CD Release Party – Photo: Mike Highfield

Zoe and Ali seem so comfortable up on stage, they’re just having a lot of fun doing what they do. They were backed by a great band who were flawless. They kept up great energy the whole night, playing the single Home Sweet Home before walking off stage for the inevitable encore. Then taking the tempo way down for Lovely for their first encore song, showcasing beautiful vocals and great lyrics. And, to close it all they ended with their rendition of Cake By The Ocean by DNCE.

The Lovelocks will only continue building on their success with all the talent and personality they carry. Keep an eye out for them over the summer and pick up their new EP at http://www.thelovelocksband.com.

Mike Highfield / @MC_Highfield