Collect Memorabilia From Shane
Yellowbird and Charley Pride
Big Valley Jamboree '08
Exclusive Coverage On the Way
!
Canadian Country
Star Photojournalist,
Ron Keessar recently
attended the Big Valley Jamboree!
Canadian Country Star
Has Complete Coverage of the Annual Four Day Event!
Country Stars Stampede
Highlight
By Ron Keessar
As sure as
winter turns to spring and on to summer, professional cowboys and
cowgals around the nation
are itchin’
for that long awaited adrenalin rush called rodeo and here in
Alberta we are no exception,
only here it’s
called STAMPEDE!
The Ponoka
Stampede is world renowned for hosting the 7 day event (June
25-July1st) that showcases the best of the best in competitive
professional rodeo with bragging rights to those generous payouts
for the winning athletes in their action filled classes.
The grandstand
entertainment has always been
top notch and
this year was truly no exception,
especially for
a local cowboy now making a ‘Big Splash’ within the country music
industry.
Shane
Yellowbird was our featured artist in last month’s column and
continues to gain fan
momentum from
every
honky-tonk and
stage he performs.
The handsome
Cree native was booked as opener
for Canadian
hit-ster George Canyon, but when Yellowbird came roaring into the
infield aboard a beautifully restored 18th century stage
coach you would have thought he was being chased by a
gang of
thieving outlaws. When all the dust had
finely
settled, all that was seen were a couple thousand cheering fans that
by now were
surrounding
the stage. Shane was obviously taken
by his
welcoming committee; after all, this is his stomping ground, his
family and friends,
but most
importantly his die-hard fans!
The gifted
entertainer didn’t waste anytime getting down to some serious
business exploding into
‘Life’s
Calling My Name’ the title cut off his debut album and quickly tore
into Eddie Rabbitt’s classic
hit, ‘Diving
My Life Away’. Shane announced that recently he was asked to start
on a new video shoot…. “They asked me to make a video down in
Nashville in June, I said… Hell NO! That’s the
Ponoka
Stampede”!! This statement of course drove the home town crowd into
ballistics. As it turns out,
his on stage
performance of the upcoming video, ‘They’re All About You’ was being
filmed by a huge boom camera placed in the crowd to capture
material that
will be used in the final cut…
can’t wait for
that one!
Yellowbird has
been extensively touring around the country lately and explained, “I
wasn’t home for Mothers Day and she’s out there (in the crowd),
probably crying” and went on to dedicate, Johnny Lee’s smash,
‘Looking For Love’ a personal
favorite for
the both of them back when
Shane was
growing up.
Fans got a
real treat when Shane gave them a
sneak-peek to
a hot new tune that will be featured
on his next
album release he’ll be working on when
he makes his
move to Nashville very soon.
The song,
‘Barefoot on the Blacktop’ will be a guaranteed 2-step favorite
among dance hall
dwellers and
listeners when it hits the airwaves.
it was truly a
high-light of the evening.
The soon to be
superstar performed all the hits
off his album
and introduced a few country classics
that drove the
crowd wild proving there isn’t much
this country
boy can’t handle in the vocal chops department! Yellowbird closed
his performance
with the
obvious crowd pleasing, ‘Pick-Up Truck’
and then took
a few moments to embrace the
roaring
feedback that he was given, said his goodbyes, and was rushed off
the stage leaving
all begging
for more!
After his
performance, Shane personally
autographed
copies of his CD and promo photos
and even threw
in a T-shirt that lucky fans will
have a chance
to win right here on Canadian
Country Star.
I have also thrown in a couple of autographed custom prints from my
own collection
to brighten
the pot. Stay tuned for contest details announced soon!
Being named as
runner up in the 2004 season of Nashville Star has been a good thing
for Canadian great, George Canyon, my thoughts are as many others,
he should have won the 'big gig' hands down. And by the way…what
ever happened to the winner, Brad Cotter?? Oh Well, that’s all
musical history now and George’s career just continues to skyrocket
because of it. The multiple award winning artist
has really
grown into his own since his
Nashville
Star days and continues to impress the masses wherever he
performs. His stage persona
has always
been spit and polished. After all, he was
never the new
kid on the block when the popular television program aired, he’d
been honing his
craft long
before that.
The country
hunk arrived on stage in his road worn brown mid length leather
jacket and trademark felt Stetson hat throughout thunderous applause
opening with
his top 5 hit, ‘Somebody Wrote Love’. Canyon, along with his
impressive six piece all Canadian band performed so many of the hits
that have made him the household name he has so deservingly become.
Career hit tunes, ‘Never Do Better Than You’ and ‘Good Day to Ride’,
‘Who Would You
Be’ were enjoyable to hear live
and those
Classic’s from yesteryear,
Kiss An Angel
Good Morning’,
‘Okie From
Muskokee’, and ‘Battle Of New Orleans’ were sung with honest pride.
George latter told the crowd he held a special spot in his heart for
a guy back in the 60’s that wore one of the “coolest hairdos called
a pompadour” and when he hit the opening lines to ‘Hello Darlin’…WOW!
The hairs on the back
of my neck
stood at full attention and drove the
sing-a-long
fans into oblivion. The Conway Twitty
hit really
captured his true talent. This is a dude
who can belt
out a tear jerker with the
best of em’
hands down!
The soon-to-be
40 year old always reserves some heart felt moments in his show to
say a few kind
words to his
wife Jennifer, who was out in the crowd cheering on her hubby and
then dedicated the beautiful ‘One Good Friend’ for the love of his
life.
The fans just
embraced this six foot something,
good ole
country boy’s charming stage presence, rugged handsome good looks
and that awesome baritone voice that melted hearts high into the
covered
grandstands, it was obvious fans
love their GC…
straight up!
Canyon
recently recorded an album of country favorites titled, ‘Classics’
and showcased a few performing Johnny Cash’s ‘Ring Of Fire’, ‘Folsum
Prison Blues’( the first song he ever learned to play) , ‘7 Spanish
Angels’ and his admitted favorite
Dukes of
Hazzard theme song, ‘Good Ole Boys’
made popular
by Waylon. The showman decided to save the rowdiest for last
and encored with his 2006 top 6 hit, ‘Drinkin’ Thinkin’ that brought
the outdoor concert to the ultimate scream fest!
George then
removed his hat and held it high
in the air
trying to make eye contact with as many frenzied fans as he could,
thanking them like the true gentleman he is and was whisked away as
the
Ponoka
atmosphere literally exploded with an awesome display of concert
ending fireworks!
Before the
show, George graciously took the time to autograph 2 photos taken by
me of past performances that we will be giving away as well.
introducing
you the fans, to the many upcoming performers within the industry
that are bound
for stardom.
In our first,
let me introduce you to,
Shane
Yellowbird, a Cree Native who grew up
on the small
reservation town of Hobbema Alberta,
and as a young
child learned to rope and ride fully embracing the cowboy way of
life through parents
who
participated and traveled around
in the rodeo
circuit.
Shane was born
with a severe stuttering problem
and while
seeing a speech therapist suggested he should sing his sentences and
that this may help
him to speak
more clearly and overcome his
handicap. The
advice proved successful and this brought out a new found love for
music the Shane
truly could
appreciate.
Photo Courtesy of Ron Keessar
(It is an
interesting note that while hanging out back stage at the Grand Ole
Opry some time ago, Shane was lucky enough to meet and spend time
with his
idol and
mentor Mel Tillis, where the two instantly
hit it off and
talked about their shared speech impediments and how they both had
learned to overcome the problem.)
Through the
coaxing of friends and family, the
27 year old
singer/songwriter entered several competitions and surprisingly
started winning.
The news of
this extraordinary talent with the
magical voice
soon caught the keen eye of Louis O’Reilly, President of the
successful management company O’Reilly International where Shane was
quickly signed to their growing reputable roster.
In November of
2006, Yellowbird recorded his
debut album
titled, ‘Life’s Calling My Name’ and
this was the
kick start to his fast growing career.
The album
itself is a real ear opener and quite a recorded gem having 6 of the
10 tracks hit the
charts with
phenomenal success! Real fun-loving positive tunes that fit his
smooth voice in the
country
tradition’s of George Strait or Garth Brooks were an instant hit,
They’re All About You’, What
A Beautiful
Concept, I Remember The Music, Life’s Calling My Name, Pickup Truck
and his current release, Drive Me Home, have all found it into the
hearts of country music fans across this country.
Shane’s
unbelievable success story just keeps on accelerating in an awesome
upward climb and ultimately turning heads within the industry
as the next
BIG DEAL!
September of
2007, took Yellowbird to the CCMA’s (Canadian Country Music Awards),
where the young entertainer won the coveted, Rising Star Award
which also
earned him a brand new
Chevy pickup
truck.
Country's Pride
and Joy !
Charly Pride's
Visit To
The Red Deer Enmax Centrium
By Ron Keessar
Photo Courtesy of Ron Keessar
Brian Edwards, President & CEO of Canada’s premiere
booking agency, Rocklands Talent & Management Incorporated, is back
again with another winner, bringing the finest in traditional
country music back to the fans. Known throughout the
industry as a leader, Brian’s focus is promoting heavy hitters of
yesteryear that still can command filling arenas and soft seat
theaters across this country.
Over the past 25 years, the award winning
agency has showcased artists like Canadian greats, Tommy Hunter,
Wilf Carter, Hank Snow, Stompin’ Tom Connors, Miss Patti Page and
American recording giants, Kitty Wells, Roy Clark, Bill Anderson,
Jean Shepard, Ray Price and Stonewall Jackson just to name a very
short few!
Country Legend
Charley Pride has always held a soft spot for his Canadian admirers
and judging by the crowd's welcoming response, the feeling was very
mutual during his recent visit to the Red Deer Enmax Centrium Monday
May12th. The never aging showman was in incredibly fine form and
that smooth baritone voice was exactly like his records… and he just
celebrated his 70th birthday in March! What a
treat to witness the man responsible for so many great country songs
over the past four decades, and to see him live.
His career is nothing short of phenomenal.
Pride has sold over 70 million albums, with 36 number one singles,
31 gold and 4 platinum albums. He remains one of the top
twenty country recording artists of all time. So how on earth
does an entertainer with these bragging rights go about putting on
an all too short 90 minute performance? Simply put, by
trying to pick the best of the best, play a lot of medleys, and a
good solid mix of just the right ones at full length to bring the
house to their feet!
The fans knew em’
all and sang along in unison word for word taking that musical trip
down memory lane. The folks roared through, Snakes Crawl at
Night, Crystal Chandelier, Does My Ring Hurt Your
Finger, Is Anybody Goin’ to San Antone, Just Between
You and Me,Mississippi Cotton Picking Delta Town, and Someone Loves
You Honey. Perfectly so, after all these were some
of the best tunes to come out of the 60’s and 70’s.
The Mississippi born entertainer took a
few moments to reflect on his early influential heroes and paid
tribute to Marty Robbins ( My Woman, My Woman, My Wife) , Conway
Twitty (Hello Darlin’) , Waylon Jennings ( Good Hearted Woman) and
of course Johnny Cash (Ring Of Fire).
Later in the show Charley asked his son
Dion who had opened the concert to come out and perform a number
with him which was one of the highlights of the evening.
Dion himself is an accomplished singer/songwriter and regular chop
off the ole’ block, showing much of the same charismatic traits he
has learned from his father.
Pride announced “this is the biggest song
I’ve ever had” and exploded into his 1971 million selling cross-over
hit, Kiss an Angel Good Morning, which instantly brought the
arena crowd to full attention!
To end the evening’s spectacle came that
recognizable pounding native drum intro that some fans in the room
first heard coming across the airwaves back in 1953 by Hank Williams
Sr. Charley’s version of Kaw-Liga came sixteen years later
and is considered to be the best remake of the song scaling at
number three on the US country charts.
From very humble beginnings, born into a
poor sharecroppers family with eleven siblings, Charley Pride is,
and remains one of the most sincere, southern gentlemen I have ever
met on stage and in person. His strong faith and love of
his craft is so evident it’s easy to see why he’s so much loved
throughout the world. To many of his followers he will always
remain "The Pride of Country Music!"
For more incredible Charley Pride career
achievements including Canadian and U.S. tour information, visit his
website
www.charleypride.com
Canadian Country Star would like to
personally take this opportunity to thank Mr. Pride for generously
giving time to visit back stage and autograph two of his classic
vinyl albums that we will be giving away as a fan write in. To add
to the pot, two lucky winners will receive a one of a kind 8.5x11
color photograph of the show taken by myself, Ron Keessar.
The following
month he was handed the also coveted
Entertainer of the Year, Best Music Video for his #1
hit, Pickup Truck, and Best Country CD during the APCMA’s
(Aboriginal Peoples Choice award’s) held in Winnipeg. In
December he was off to Toronto
for the Canadian Aboriginal awards taking home the hardware for,
Best Male Artist,
Best Country
Album and Best Album of the Year for Life’s
Calling My Name.
The above is
just a short list of accolades this aspiring,
gifted individual has earned in such a short time and
the best is surely yet to come. Shane Yellowbird has
grabbed the world by the tail and
really has made an impact on the
Canadian
country music scene.
Yellowbird
really is the whole ‘Package’, the real and honest
deal, if you will. His black felt cowboy hat worn
proudly isn’t a prop, he’s a true cowboy and still
breaks horses and competes in calf roping events when he finds the
time. He’s an instant hit with the
ladies on or off the stage; his rugged handsome good looks ooze
country charm while that warm and
sincere mile-wide smile enhances
those deep
pocketed dimples that seem to make the ladies
blush. Yes, Life Is ‘Really’ Calling His Name… Loud & Proud, but
most importantly, Shane
is a true
inspiration not only to his
Aboriginal
community but proving that
determination
to pursue your dreams can prevail.
During a
recent concert, I had the pleasure to meet with the very humble
entertainer where I expressed my excitement
with his ride to fame and congratulated him an all his deserving
achievements. Looking tired from his grueling cross Canada
tour, Shane took
the time
to graciously autograph two of my personal 8x12
photographs. I explained that weplanned to
give them away right here on
Canadian Country Star,
for a fan write-in
and giveaway.
He was excited to be the first
artist introduced on the pages of Canadian Country Star and looks
forward to performing at a venue near his many
fans this
summer. As far as a new project, Shane’s busy writing
for his sophomore album and no time line has been set. If it’s
anything like his debut release, fans can surely expect another
chart burning
winner!
Yellowbird is
really anticipating his
return to home
turf when he opens the grandstand performance for George Canyon
during the
When
two of the hottest acts in country music plan to tour together
how do you decide who opens and closes a show? All egos aside,
you simply take turns each night in rotation and that’s just
how Brooks & Dunn and Alan Jackson are working their concerts.
The superstars made their 1st
Canadian stop at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary Alberta
April 16th to a jam packed house of welcoming fans.
The dynamic duo, Kix Brooks
and Ronnie Dunn along with their impressive 10 piece
band that also featured three lovely backup singers, exploded
on stage throughout thunderous applause. Brooks
was running about finger pickin’ his mirrored covered mandolin
while Dunn raked the strings on his black Telecaster guitar,
singing his heart out through a headset-mic.
Brooks (53) keeps the
traditional cowboy dress alive with his trademark black
Stetson, pearl buttoned western shirt and sings backup on the
occasional tune.
While Dunn (55), (he’s the tall lanky dude with the funny wind
swept rooster tailed hairdo and goatee) is ultimately the one
with the vocal chops between the pair.
The turbo-tonk high energy
infused show featured many of their hits that have branded
them the highest selling duo in the history of country music,
responsible for selling over 30 million records!
Fans really came alive
during crowd favorites like, You Can’t Take The Honky Tonk
Out Of The Girl, Hillbilly Deluxe, Brand New Man
and a new one that is sure to heat up the dance floors around
this nation, Put A Girl In It. Oh yeah, we
cant forget those crazy fans howling like wolves during
Ronnie’s performance of, ‘Play Something Country’.
Ronnie calmed the revelers
with a memorable version of their 1991 breakthrough album hit,
‘Neon Moon’ where blue and purple spotlights and fog
captured the mood. Ronnie’s outstanding vocal abilities were
also awesomely showcased during their smash hit, ‘My Maria’.
His ear-piercing falsetto during the chorus, blasted straight
into outer-space sending the fans into a total frenzy and
earning him a much deserved honest standing ovation…this guy
can definitely sing!
Kix also basked in the
limelight during Your Gonna Miss Me When I’m Gone and ‘She
Likes To Get Out Of Town’ while Ronnie stood back taking
care of the backing harmonies.
The party atmosphere
continued with Kix tearing into, ‘Rock My World (Little
Country Girl) while Ronnie caught well practiced single
drumsticks thrown through the air from a stage hand.
He then smacked on a cow bell and tossed the treasured
percussion memento out into the crowd of willing catchers.
No Brooks & Dunn show would
be complete without the explosive ending with the obvious
closer; ‘Boot Scootin’ Boogie’ as multi stage canons
fired colored confetti streamers high into the air showering
the fans. WOW what a party!
On the huge video-trons, a
two minute digital countdown began, stirring up a frenzy that
made most cow-gals weak kneed and party hearty cow-boys
standup, arms high into the air anticipating the arrival of
Alan Jackson. Unannounced, the country hunk
casually walks out on stage visibly humbled by the reaction,
straps on his acoustic, flashes a few country boy charm filled
grins, and begins performing short versions of ‘Chasin’
That Neon Rainbow’, and ‘Gone Country’.
Dressed in his trademark
torn at the knee faded jeans, and white felt hat the tall six
foot something honky-tonk traditionalist from Newman Georgia,
seemed real comfortable at his home base which is center stage
in front of the microphone. The superstar along with his
awesome band the Stray Horns, threw out hit after million
selling hit, and he’s written a bunch of em’ since his 1989
debut release ‘Here In The Real World’.
Jackson is currently plugging his latest CD release,
Good Times, in which he wrote all 17 songs and
performed the title cut as well as Small Town Southern Man
to much delight of the fans. A real treat was the
tune Little Bitty. While Jackson sang the
number, videos of small children throughout America were being
played on the screens, and when the song ended the superstar
personally handed a small youngster a guitar pick used during
the song.
What a
keepsake!
The ultimate fan reaction
came during the song, Where I Come From, again the
Video-trons were made useful, projecting various images around
the host city. The place went totally ballistic when
anything was displayed honoring our NHL team the ‘Flames’ or
the Canadian flag. Jackson then thanked the crowd and
bid them farewell, giving a rockin' encore performance of
Mercury Blues.
The tour continued onto
Edmonton Alberta, Saskatoon Saskatchewan, and Winnipeg
Manitoba with a few dates in the US and then back to Canada on
May 10th for an appearance in Vancouver BC.
Opening the spring triple
bill was Canadian songbird Jessie Farrell. This high spirited,
red headed beauty just may be our next answer to the MIA
Shania Twain. The singer/songwriter from Vancouver
British Columbia has been making quite an impact on the radio
and concert scene here in Canada. Jessie performed
the perky house favorite, Let’s Talk About Love and her
latest single, Fell Right Into You off the album
titled, Nothing Fancy, in stores now.
Watch
for more on this exciting young country starlet in the very
near future, right here exclusively, on the pages of
Canadian
Country Star.
Little Big Town and
Johnny Reid
Open For Martina McBride
In Calgary
Story and
Photos By:
Ron Keessar
Martina McBride
Concert Coverage
Photos and Story By:
Photojournalist Ron Keessar
Martina
McBride kicked off her U.S. and
Canadian
“Waking Up Laughing Tour" in
Calgary
Alberta, on Monday March 17th at the
Pengrowth SaddleDome, with
New Country Star
in the front row to cheer her on,
along with
nearly
7,000
Canadian country music fans.
Opening the triple bill, with
headliner Martina McBride, was Scotland born, Canadian rising
star Johnny Reid who put on a way too short performance,
impressing new found fans with his signature soulful delivery
through tunes, ‘ Missing An Angel’ , ‘Darlin’ and his latest
chart climber, ‘Thank You’ from his fouth career album, ‘Kicking
Stones’.
The 33 year old singer/songwriter
was nominated for ‘Country Recording of The Year’ at the April
6th Canadian Juno Awards broadcast live from the
Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary.
‘Little
Big Town’ has only been on the country music scene and radio
for a short while but is quickly gaining momentum as a
respected four piece vocal group that boasts impeccable
harmonies and catchy written tunes. Warming the
crowd for Martina McBride was a good choice and seemed to come
naturally for the quartet consisting of members; Karen
Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Phillip Sweet and Jimi
Westbrook.
Fans
really got an enjoyable harmonic earful during the Fleetwood
Mac classic, ‘Go Your Own Way’ which incidentally, would make
a happy return to radio if released today by the band...Ale’
Perfecto!
To
close the show the group naturally reserved the best for last
and cranked up the volume a few notches for their signature
song to date and crowd favorite, ‘Boondocks’.
It won’t
be too long before this “group to watch for” will be
headlining shows based on their own combined musical
talents!
To see
if your favorite recording act is touring in your area or for
more exciting upcoming Canadian country concert dates visit
www.livenation.com or
check out
www.ticketmaster.ca
for up to date concert information.
PAUL BRANDT
CANADA’S FAVORITE SON
Listen Now
Story and Photos By:
Ron Keessar
Canadian country superstar Paul Brandt has
so much to be thankful for these days, a newly released album (Risk)
that is charting well, a cross Canada tour to brag about it and most
importantly, it was no April fools joke when grinning ear-to-ear
Paul announced that he and his wife Liz are expecting their first
child due the last week of May!
Paul brought his ‘Risk’ tour
to Centrium in Red Deer April 1st , along with rising
star Shane Yellowbird as opening act, in front of some 4000
appreciative fans. Dressed in his trademark Stetson felt
hat, the country hunk felt totally at ease performing in front of
his flock that included pre-school kids, teenagers and the eldest of
admirers. Brandt seems to have that special “Awe Shucks”
country charm that drives most of the fairer sex WILD and giddy with
excitement!
Opening with his 1996 Canadian
#1 break-through chart-buster, My Heart Has a History, fans
knew they were in for a hit filled concert. “I don’t know if
you know this” the 35 year old said, “but I’m from Calgary Alberta”
a statement that received a thunderous roar of acceptation.
Paul spent nine years living in Nashville and just three years ago
made his way back home where he resides in the foothills of the
Canadian Rocky Mountains west of Calgary.
Midway through the show Paul
sent his six piece band of musicians back stage and performed a wide
variety of enjoyable tunes in a solo acoustic set, center stage
accompanied only by his guitar. This personal setting made for
some of the finest moments of Brandt's show, chatting informally
about life and sharing tidbits about the songs he was about to sing
and how they were born. Fans were mesmerized by his God given
talents during, Out Here On My Own, The Sycamore Tree,
Small Town & Big Dreams, and ‘I Do’.
Paul received his biggest
applause during his cover remake of C.W McCall’s Convoy that
had most up out of their chairs and isle dancing. The
superstar closed the show appropriately with, Alberta Bound,
his gift written about the places and people of the province.
Brandt is truly a Canadian
treasure with so many career achievements, it’s just mind boggling.
To name a very short few, he has received six Juno awards and is
nominated for another one this month at the Juno Awards in Calgary.
He has also earned five male artist accolades during his short run
in the business. Adding to all this, he is
recognized as the most awarded male country artist in Canadian
history. His continued personal commitment and involvement
with World Vision, Samaritan’s Place and volunteering at the
Alberta’s Children’s Hospital in Calgary, makes it easy to see why
Paul is definitely Canada’s favorite son!
Read Continuing Coverage Tomorrow of Paul
Brandt's Phenomenal Opening Act,
Shane Yellowbird, brought to you by Canadian
Correspondent Ron Keessar.
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Country Star" Bringing You Country Music News
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CANADIAN COUNTRY MUSIC
ASSOCIATION WEEK
In
Canada, plans are already underway for the Canadian Country Music
Association Week, which will be held September 5-8, 2008 in
Winnipeg, Manitoba (www.ccma.org).
The annual awards show is seen on both CBC (live) and CMT (delayed)
and will be held on September 8th, 2008. Congratulations to FACTOR
chief and Canadian Country Music Association President Heather
Ostertag who recently received the CMA's Jo Walker Meador
International Award.
Canada's Summer Music
Festivals Shaping Up!
By Ron Keessar
Country music fans here in Canada won’t have to drive
far to enjoy their favorite artists this summer.
There are literally festivals and jamborees spread across the
country. We have already brought you the exciting
partial lineup for The Big Valley
Jamboree to be held in the
beautiful city of Camrose Alberta, running July 31st thru
August 3rd, but here is a list of other popular venues
that are sure to be the summer’s hottest Canadian tickets!
Mountainfest
is a longtime running festival held in Merritt, British Columbia,
which always pleases fans with the best of the best in the industry.
Already gearing up for 16th annual event to be held July
10th thru July 13th. A short list
of confirmed entertainers have been announced.Sara Evans has just been added,
along with Sugarland, Dierks Bentley, Pat Green, Jessie Farrell, The
Wilkinsons, Aaron Lines, Beverly Mahood, Shane Yellowbird, Gord
Bamford, and WOW, great to see him back…Superstar, Hank Williams JR.
Visit
www.mountainfest.com for more
information on tickets, camping and performing artists as they are
announced.
The Craven Country Jamboree
holds bragging rights to the longest multi-day running music
festival held in Canada. For 24 years, it’s been
situated on the same site in the beautiful Qu’Appelle Valley in
Saskatchewan and for the first time was completely sold out last
year. Fans have already begun gobbling up tickets for
the July 10th thru July 13th jamboree which
organizers report there are only a few reserved campsites left!
No wonder with heavy hitters like, Toby Keith, Dierks Bentley,
Sugarland, Pam Tillis, Mark Chesnutt, and Paul Brandt
performing on the big stage. Also booked are the Hewitt
Sisters, comedy duo Williams & Ree, Jessie Farrell, The Oak Ridge
Boys, and Neal McCoy. For the outdoor beer gardens,
Sawyer Brown and Shevy Smith will guarantee all a goodtime!
Only a short drive from the city of
Dauphin, Manitoba nestled on the north side of Riding Mountain
National Park is home for the Dauphin
Countryfest.
Celebrations begin June 26th thru June 29th , and while
the festival boasts one of the most beautiful outdoor amphitheaters
in western Canada, it too has surprised fans with the very best in
their 19th year run. Early booked artist are, Alan
Jackson, LoneStar, Emerson Drive, Aaron Pritchett, Aaron Lines,
Shane Yellowbird, Gord Bamford, Jessie Farrell, Deric Ruttan, Jason
Blaine along with 1980’s Canadian rock sensations, Prism’ and ‘The
Headpins.
Stay tuned to
www.countryfest.ca for more
announcements and complete venue information.
Having been nominated eight times at the
CCMA’s as one of Canada’s top 5 country outdoor music festivals, the
Havelock Country Jamboree
in Ontario is always a winner, showcasing Canadian, as well as
international stars.
The 19th annual event which
operates twin stages on its 15 acre ‘show field’ runs August 14th
thru August 17th , and already has country hunk Tracy
Byrd, US troop’s favorite, Aaron Tippin, and Canadian hopeful, Shane
Yellowbird booked for the four day party, with lots more to
come!
Bookmark
www.havelockjamboree.com for
complete scheduled artists dates and times as they become available.
The BIG
VALLEY JAMBOREE '08
ANNOUNCES PARTIAL LINEUP
By
Ron Keessar
We’ve only just rang in the New Year and
Canada’s largest outdoor country music party the ‘Big Valley
Jamboree’ has already announced its confirmed 2008 partial summer
line up.
The exciting annual festival has
superstar Joe Nichols headlining the kick-off party along with
Calgary Alberta’s own singer/songwriter Tim Hus and British Columbia
country/hip hop& western swing new comer, Ridley Bent.
The Big Valley Jamboree which is held in
Camrose Alberta, promises another super line-up for the July 31st
through August 3rd 2008 weekend. Fans can expect Edmonton’s gift,
Danny Hooper to return this year as Emcee. Scheduled
main stage fan favorites include, Sugarland, Trace Adkins, Alabama’s
Randy Owen, Little Big Town, Randy Travis, Jason Blaine, Shane
Yellowbird, Marty Stuart, Hey Romeo, The Higgins, and Canadian Idol
runner up, Jaydee Bixby already booked to perform.
