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Our friends, over at Jones Entertainment Group, know how to throw a party as they have shown us year after year with Rock the Park Music Festival in London, Ontario. However, they just proved it doesn’t have to be the middle of summer to throw a party.

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

The world’s largest tribute show to rock icons, Pink Floyd, rolled it’s way into London Ontario to a near capacity crowd at Budweiser Gardens RBC Theater. I was intrigued to see why a tribute show would be playing such a large venue. Let me tell you, I can totally understand, now, after seeing this show.

London, Ontario played host to the Country Music Association of Ontario ( CMAO ) New Artist RoadShow on Saturday March 19th. Various events took place around the city for up and coming country artists from across the province, the purpose being to gain knowledge and feedback from industry experts including Jason Blaine, Steve Wilkinson, Jason Barry and many more.

So the frenzy of the What Loves All About Tour storms into Ontario this week with 13 shows over the next 18 days.   And with all the fantastic reviews from the West coast swing we know you won’t want to miss it.

February 26th was a special night in London ON with a couple of big anniversaries in the Country music landscape for the city and the region. The first big anniversary was the celebration of Cowboys Ranch, marking 10 years as a country music club.

So people seemed to like what was suggested last week for my inaugural Barn Burners… Well it’s week #2 and boy do I have a couple really strong offerings this week.

When given the opportunity to shoot photos and review a Blue Rodeo show recently in London ON, I couldn’t turn down the chance to catch these Canadian music icons in action. I have been a fan of Blue Rodeo since I was a child, growing up with their folk rock sound that so many recognize when heard.

Canada may have lost a music icon in Stompin’ Tom Conners, however, it doesn’t take long to find someone carrying on the honky tonk tradition of Americana style country music. Corb Lund, a true blooded Alberta boy, brought his Winter Campaign for the “Things That Can’t Be Undone” tour to The London Music Hall on Monday Feb 15, 2016, in London ON. 

Saturday night in London may have been a whiteout with a storm kickin’ around a pile of snow outside but inside Bud Gardens the place was on fire. Brantley Gilbert brought his Blackout tour to town and some of his buddies tagged along for the ride. Brian Davis, Michael Ray and Canaan Smith rounded out one rockin’ night of Country music to the RBC Theatre at Bud Gardens.