It’s that time of year again and Ottawa Bluesfest is starting the annual buildup to their lineup announcement. This year it’s all about the social media with hints coming in via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and SnapChat (ottawabluesfest).
Final Canadian Stop Of Blackout Tour Was Lights Out….
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.
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 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.
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!
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
Hendrik’s Top Country Artists to Watch in 2016
After reading through Corey’s top 10 artists to watch in 2016 I started thinking of who I would put in that list. There are definitely similarities between my 10 and Corey’s, as you will see. 2015 has been a big year for Canadian country music from the tour perspective with all the major players hitting the road, Dallas Smith started the year with his hugely successful “Tippin’ Point Tour” featuring Sundy Best and now this fall Dean Brody and Paul Brandt just wrapped up their “Road Trip Tour”, Brett Kissel and Jordan McIntosh are currently on the road with their “Airwaves Tour” and Tebey kicks off his “Three’s A Party Tour” with Jason Blaine and James Otto on Friday in Halifax and to cap off the year Tim Hicks is hitting the road with Cold Creek County and Jason Benoit for their “Get A Little Crazy Tour”. Notice something missing? Out of all the tours above only the “Road Trip Tour” featured tomatoes as an added ingredient with Lindi Ortega, Jess Moskaluke, Madeline Merlo and Whitney Rose featured throughout the tour.
So let’s take a look at who I think has the greatest chance of breaking out in the coming year, 2016.
Paul Brandt and Dean Brody bring the country to Ottawa
2015 been quite a year for Country Music in Ottawa with monster shows from some of country’s biggest hit makers like Luke Bryan, Brantley Gilbert, Keith Urban and Kenny Chesney to name just a few, not to mention some world class performances by some of Canada’s top country stars like Brett Kissel, Tim Hicks and more.
On Monday night two Canadian country music gentleman, Paul Brandt and Dean Brody, brought a true country music performance as their Road Trip Tour rolled into the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa.
Riot Fest 2015 Toronto – Who We’re Excited to See
ALEXISONFIRE
One of the few reunion shows, makes me feel
pretty lucky, although I may have heard a rumour there could be some more shows
added.
Motörhead
Oh Lemmy, what can I say! Their mix of
rock, punk and heavy metal intensity is just what I’m looking for.
Weezer x2
I’m just going to say it, I’ve never seen Weezer live. Thank you RiotFest for letting me get in a two for one. Day 1 – Pinkerton, Day 2 – Blue. I can hardly wait!
The Airborne Toxic Event
One of my all time favourites, super happy they’re on the bill and any time I can see these fantasic musicians play, I’m in.
Wu Tang Clan
What??? Yes, I can’t believe I’m going to get to shoot these guys. They’ve got a new album, “A Better Tomorrow” dropping December 2nd and I’m pretty sure we’ll get to hear some of it on Sunday.
Rancid
They’re playing Out Come The Wolves, only my favourite album. When did this become a thing? I’m glad it is.
Andrew W.K.
This is another “I can’t believe I get to shoot this” moment. Not only does he party hard, he’s so smart!
Thrice
A reunion I’m thrilled about.
Die Mannequin
Love, love, love. So glad they’re on the bill.
Against Me
Insert emotional attachment here. Lots of history with this band. Looking forward to new material.
Gwar
CAN NOT WAIT TO SEE THIS BAND! Masters of the stage show this should be fantastic.
The Dirty Nil
I first saw these guys at Canadian Music Week and they blew me away. Great energy, they’re localish, from Hamilton and they deserve to be there.
Stuck on Planet Earth
They were on the same bill as The Dirty Nil at CMW and well worth your time at Riot Fest.
Tasha the Amazon
And I’ve been told I absolutely have to check out Tasha the Amazon doing zero research and going into it open.
I’m going to stop but there are so many more go check out the schedule and if you haven’t bought a ticket yet, what are you waiting for?
To be honest, this lineup is problematic in that, it’s impossible as one human being to see everyone you’d like to see. A pretty awesome problem to have.
Did I miss your favourite? Let us know who you think we should add to our list!
Best of Canadian Country Music Celebrated in Halifax
The Maritimes went country over the last few days as the best of the best of Canadian country music invaded Halifax. The party started early in the week with numerous showcase events put on by various labels and agencies to help showcase their stars and rising stars and it all was capped off with the Canadian Country Music Association Awards, the final of which was held last night at the Scotiabank Centre and aired on CBC Television.
Boots and Hearts 2015, One Hell of a Kick Off Party
Well, it’s just as the headline says it was. Last night was one hell of Kickoff Party for Boots & Hearts at their new home in Oro-Medonte.
Skynyrd, Dear Rouge and more Ottawa Bluesfest Week 2
After an incredible start to this year’s Ottawa Bluesfest the second week was the week that had more of the music I was interested loaded so it was no doubt one I would be looking forward to covering. Initial plans were that I would be finished my shifts with the Green Team by this point as well but health issues in the first week forced me to pick up some shifts in the second week.