Canada

The Big Valley Jamboree of 2007 Conclusion!

Day 4 of Annual Event

Story By: Ron Keessar

Blake Shelton on Stage

Photo Courtesy of Ron Keessar

Sunday August 5^th jamboree opener featured the lovely Melanie Laine also from Saskatchewan opening with Juice Newton’s, ‘Queen Of Hearts’.

The award winning singer/songwriter dazzled the early afternoon crowd with a sparkling performance that was sure to win the hearts of new found fans.

Williams & Ree, most notorious to fans as ‘The Indian and the White Guy’ were back again to fill the 2 p.m. ticket. Only this comedy duo can get away with the 30 year old routine they perform and one has to witness their act live and in person to appreciate how hysterically funny and 'off the wall' they are. Some of the crowd could be seen jaw dropping, wiping tears of laughter from their eyes, and some almost falling out of their chairs, rolling in the concert bowl dirt…they rock in a comical way!

Just mention the name Tillis, and if you’re an old school country music fan, the name is as recognizable as Cadillac, Coke and Caviar. The Rolls Royce of traditional country music, MMMMeMel was a big time star and one of the best tunesmiths in Nashville during the 50’s & 60’s. BVJ fans will remember the disappointing news last year when Tillis could not make his appearance because his bus broke down somewhere in South Dakota. Promising to make up a return engagement, the legendary icon made it for this 2007 performance, and what a sight this was. Imagine, a huge 10 piece band called the ‘Statesiders’ all dressed in matching razor sharp maroon suits, gold string ties and shiny black boots! It was a picture straight from the past and you couldn’t find more Nashville class than that. This was real country music girls and boys, and coming from one of its creators! Amazingly, Tillis is now 75 years of age! The sound was awesome, the musicianship was impeccable. Mel Tillis has over 60 albums to his career credit,1000 plus written tunes and 51 years in the bizz...makes me wonder why it took until 2007 for his Grand Ole Opry & Hall Of Fame induction?? Memorable tunes, ‘Stateside’, ‘Heart Over Mind’, ‘I Ain’t Never’, ‘Who’s Julie’, ‘Arms Of A Fool’ and ‘New Patches’ were simply a treat to the ears.

After his performance Tillis signed autographs in the hot sun until the very last seeker was satisfied, he even was seen snuggling and posing for pictures with newborn babies…anything to please his fans.

Steve Holy rose to star status with his 2000 debut Curb album, ‘Blue Moon’ which featured his first #1 hit, ‘Good Morning Beautiful'. The dark haired Texan had to wait a six long years for his sophomore album to get lucky #2 with ‘I Got A Brand New Girlfriend’. Holy experienced a few minor sound demons early into his set, but after some minor adjustments from the sound crew, he was back in full voice. Steve performed a beautiful version of Elvis Presley’s ‘Just Pretend’ that showcased his soulful crooning side and an awesome take on Roy Orbison’s classic, ‘Pretty Woman’ …Ah yes, that trademark ‘Big O’ high falsetto, that really rocked the crowd!

Roy would be proud.

Oklahoma born Blake Shelton took to the 7:30 stage with over 20,000 eager countrified fans in attendance. Opening his turbo-charged show with ‘Red Neck Girl’, Blake soon had everyone’s full attention, with the crowd out of their seats, especially when he performed Conway Twitty’s 1988 tear jerker, ‘Goodbye Time’.

The handsome 31 year entertainer messed with

the crowd when he announced, “I never got the call to come up to Canada before, I never thought you even heard of me” and continued… “I thought I’m too country for ya’ll, but look at this crowd it’s full of cowboy hats”

Fans expressed their appreciation by responding with continuous standing ovations during his set. Hits like, ‘Austin’, and ‘The Baby’ were heart tugging but hearing ‘The More I Drink’, ‘Some Beach’ and 'Old Red', simply drove the fans into a frenzy. What an entertainer! Here’s hoping for a return engagement to Alberta very soon.

I know I’ll be there!

Another ‘young gun’ (also 31 years of age) that came onto the country music scene with both barrels blazing at stardom, is Dierks Bentley. With two platinum albums under his belt and a long list of #1 Hits, Bentley was a perfect choice as headliner and closing act for the jamboree. Mother Nature brought out her vicious and ugly side just prior to his performance which was delayed for 45 minutes due the wind and rain. With her tears now subsiding, Dierks surprised us by bursting onto the stage throughout thunderous applause. This may have been Mother Nature’s cue to totally unload her fury as torrential rains came down in pails from his second number and into the rest of the evening. Fans now completely drenched, bunkered down while the Nashville native and his band tore through radio hits, ‘How Am I Doin’, ‘Lot Of Leavin Left To Do’ and ‘What Was I Thinkin’. He later calmed the soaking rowdy revelers through tunes, ‘Come A Little Closer’, ‘Settle For A Slow Down’ and ‘Every Mile A Memory’. Fans also got to witness Bentley's rockin’ party-animal side while performing ‘Free And Easy (Down The Road I Go) and the honky-tonk shuffle, ‘Domestic Light & Cold’. Dierks latest album, ‘Long Trip Alone’ was recently been nominated for CMA album of the year!

The Big Valley Jamboree continues to grow and impress music lovers of all ages bringing new record attendance each year for the award wining summer festival. Organizers now will take some much needed time off to recharge and then it’s back in the saddle preparing and buying another promised great lineup for next year. Hats off to the hundreds of volunteers who put in the countless hours before and after the jamboree that is required to make this enormous event happen. We also can’t forget, OBO Security for their time spent keeping everyone safe and secure! Without them, like it or not, this would not be the same kind of jamboree for all to enjoy. Now let’s see, less than a year until next year’s jamboree….AH, CAN’T WAIT!

Below are some Photo Highlights From BVJ 2007