It seems more and more these days that country music is having a real identity crisis, at least that’s how it looks to someone who has really only been big into country for the last 20, or so, years.
Chase Rice @ Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver
Chase Rice and the JD & Jesus tour hit the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver this past weekend and the place was ELECTRIC. This was the first time seeing Chase Rice & The Cadillac Three perform. I have covered events at the Commodore in the past but this one seemed to just have a bit more energy to it.
Lindsay Ell – Mason Jar Session – By The Way
If you haven’t heard Lindsay Ell perform yet this is a great introduction to one of Canada’s hottest country artists. Calgary born, Nashville livin’ Lindsay Ell has performed across North America and is currently on tour with the CMT Next Women of County Tour. We had a chance to catch up with Lindsay before the tour kicked off for a Mason Jar Session. Here is Lindsay performing By The Way. Crank this one up!
Corey Kelly / @CoreyKelly76
Tara Thompson – Someone To Take Your Place
There is a new firecracker on the Country Music scene and her name is Tara Thompson. The new kid on the block as she joins the CMT Next Women of Country Tour in the opening slot which hits CasinoRama Friday January 15th for the only Canadian Date.
Hey Ontario, The South Is Coming….
So for those of you that don’t listen to SXM Radio you may not have heard a whole lot of Cadillac Three or Chase Rice on the Radio up here in Canada. However if you crank The Highway on SXM on a regular basis you have heard these two amazing acts multiple times. Cadillac Three have a song on slow rotation on some of Canada’s Country Radio stations with White Lighting. While Chase has had a little more success with his singles Ready, Set, Roll and Gonna Wanna Tonight north of the border. Neither have played many dates up here so we are happy to have them headin’ to the Great White North!
Jess Moskaluke Rocks KX Country
This past Thursday night Jess Moskaluke blew the doors off the Phoenix. Well, what was left of them anyway.
Riki Knox – CD Release Party
The Latcham Centre in Port Perry was shakin’ and a rattlin’ on Nov 14 when Riki Knox hosted her CD release party, showcasing her first CD entitled That’s Country Y’all. The new music is available now on her website at www.rikiknox.com and you can also pre-order on iTunes with the CD scheduled to be released on Nov 22, however, the sold out crowd this past Saturday night got an early preview.
Riki Knox performs at her CD Release Party – Photo: Scott Burns Images
Riki Knox has been hard at work to create this full length new release. Teaming up with award winning producer Willie Mack, and writing with the likes of Jason McCoy and Troy Kokol, Knox travelled from Ontario, to Canada’s west coast, and then back and forth from Nashville until she had the music just right. Stints in Texas to film supporting video for her songs also rounded out her travels.
Riki Knox performs at her CD Release Party – Photo: Scott Burns Images
She is no stranger to hard work, and it looks like that work ethic is about to pay off. The 2014 CMAO Rising Star nominee is a consummate performer. She has a very strong presence on stage, a powerful voice, and style all her own. Riki lives the country life in small town Ontario farming community. So when she sings about the country life, she knows what it’s all about.
Introduced by Pete Walker of KX96 country radio, the party got started off on the right foot with a performance from Ben Hudson. The tall Uxbridge area singer/songwriter performed a solid set which included his original song Wear and Tear and certainly got the crowd hopping. Watch for more from this guy!
Riki Knox performs at her CD Release Party – Photo: Scott Burns Images
Riki Knox performs at her CD Release Party – Photo: Scott Burns Images
Knox then took over and delivered her signature energy-driven show. She was supported by a super tight group of musicians that included: Randy Vautour (guitar/vocals), Clayton Mark (guitar), Mike Vautour (drums), Dan McGrath (fiddle), Ron Vautour (bass) and Michelle Vautour (backing vocals).
Working through her set lists, Riki had the Port Perry crowd up dancing and singing and it was very obvious that everyone enjoyed the show. Each person attending received an advance copy of That’s Country Y’all (which is also one of my favourite tracks). One lucky attendee also won a free pair of Lane boots, courtesy of Knox’s sponsor Lane Boots of Texas.
This show marked the third time in 2015 that I was lucky enough to have Riki in front of my camera lens. Absolutely watch out for this lady! Big things are coming. Country radio needs to get fully behind her music and get it out for the masses to enjoy.
Scott Burns
Riki Knox performs at her CD Release Party – Photo: Scott Burns Images
Riki Knox performs at her CD Release Party – Photo: Scott Burns Images
Riki Knox CD Release Party – Photo: Scott Burns Images
Riki Knox performs at her CD Release Party – Photo: Scott Burns Images
Riki Knox performs at her CD Release Party – Photo: Scott Burns Images
Riki Knox performs at her CD Release Party – Photo: Scott Burns Images
Riki Knox performs at her CD Release Party – Photo: Scott Burns Images
Three’s A Party – Oshawa
So the boy’s are wrapping up the Ontario dates on the Three’s A Party Tour this week with one final stop in Thunder Bay on Friday night. However, Oshawa was our last full coverage show and they did not disappoint. The Oshawa show was minus the 4th partier from previous shows Jesse Labelle who had played a few of the Ontario dates wasn’t on this bill. It was the big man James Otto who kicked things off and the foot was on the pedal for the entire 90 min set for all three artists. Want to thank Scott Burns Images for clicking a few awesome frames for SCE. Enjoy the images!
Chillin’ It with Cole Swindell
It was the last of the Country concerts to hit the Molson Amphitheatre in Toronto and Cole Swindell just so happened to be playin’ direct support to Mr. Jason Aldean. Before that show we had a chance to hang with Mr. Swindell and let me tell ya this fella is the real deal.
Getting to know CCMA nominee Tristan Horncastle
While spending the weekend at the Manitoulin Countryfest last month we had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Royalty Records recording artist, and New Brunswick native, Tristan Horncastle.
