A Salute to Stompin’ Tom-featuring Tim Hus
ABOUT THE SHOW
Take a trip from coast to coast to coast across our great country in stories and songs. You’ll meet hockey players, prairie truck drivers, potato growers and fishermen. Party like it’s a Sudbury Saturday night with the tunes of Stompin’ Tom! A Salute to Stompin' Tom is performed by award winning country singer songwriter Tim Hus and his band. This tribute will feature many of the songs that made Stompin’ Tom a Canadian treasure, and also will include colourful stories of the incredible life of the Man with The Black Hat and Stompin' Board and the inspiration behind his legendary tunes.
The show can be enhanced with a multi-media presentation highlighting the colourful people and places showcased in the performance along with classic pictures and videos of Stompin’ Tom through- out his storied career.
“I’ve been looking for 30 years for a young guy who’s proud to write songs about our country. I’d like to pass the torch to Tim Hus.” - Stompin’ Tom Connors
ABOUT TIM HUS
Tim Hus is a celebrated Canadian Western artist himself who proudly carries on the tradition of writing songs about working Canadians and our Nation's rich history. Tim Hus has toured the world playing everywhere from honky tonks to the Olympics. Stompin’ Tom handpicked Hus to tour with him, not only as his opening act, but to play in his band as well. Hus performed at Stompin Tom’s funeral where he was also a pallbearer. He will share his personal stories of his friend and mentor Stompin' Tom in a can’t miss show of music, patriotism and board stomping.
“This is no ordinary tribute show. It speaks to authenticity and Tim’s profound regard and respect for an artist he performed and travelled with. This is the real thing! You will never regret bringing the Tim Hus tribute to Stompin Tom to your audience.” - Gavin Farmer, Artistic Director, Festival Place, Sherwood Park, AB
"Tim Hus is one of my favorite Canadian songwriters. Nobody captures the rough-and-ready frontier imagery better than him.” - Corb Lund
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Aaron Goodvin
With his acclaimed new single, “Boy Like Me,” lighting up country radio and a rapidly filling 2021-22 tour schedule, Aaron Goodvin is more than ready to pick up where he left off with his most recent (JUNO nominated) Warner Music Canada album release, which produced four radio hits and his first Billboard #1, “You Are.” The lead single from an upcoming EP, “Boy Like Me” is already being called the country anthem of the summer and offers a powerhouse singalong chorus, ready-made for many live shows to come.
The CCMA Award-winning artist added two new nominations in 2020, for Songwriter of the Year and Interactive Artist or Group of the Year, and was honored to be a co-host of the CCMA’s online awards event. Goodvin previously won Songwriter of the Year for “Lonely Drum,” which is his current country radio single in the US.
» 56.8 million total streams
» Five Top 10 singles and a Billboard #1 with “You Are.”
» “Lonely Drum” recently certified Double Platinum, making Goodvin one of only two Canadian country artists to achieve that distinction.
» 2020 JUNO Award Nominee/Country Album of the Year for V.
» Winner of CCMA Songwriter of the Year (“LonelyDrum”) and seven-time CCMA nominee.
» Opened for Rascal Flatts’ 2019 Forever Summer Playlist Tour in Western Canada.
» Named one of Billboard’s “7 Country Acts to Watch.”
» Successful songwriter with cuts by Luke Bryan, Jon Pardi, Cole Swindell, and Josh Gracin.
» Hosted the 2019 Alberta Country Music Awards and 30th Anniversary Saskatchewan Country Music Awards.
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Amy Hef
Amy Hef’s music and style has recently found its true home in country music after getting her start in the pop world. After showcasing at the 2021 Canadian Country Music Awards, her debut country single “Between Us” launched in February 2022, garnering play on SiriusXM’s CBC Country radio, and establishing Amy as an up and comer in the Canadian country music scene.
Born and raised in Saskatchewan and having lived in Los Angeles and Fort McMurray, Amy Hef now calls Calgary home, along with her wife and Pomeranian, whom she says are loved equally. Raised in within a deeply religious family, as an adult Amy had to look inward to become empowered, and is now recognized as an out-and-proud queer musician in Alberta.
Before becoming a country chanteuse, Amy Hef released her debut pop music EP in 2008, and prior to that was a professional drummer who toured North America. In 2013, Hef was named the winner of the 90.3 AMP Radio’s Rock Star contest, reinforcing her decision to venture into a solo career. Her 2014 single “Creepin’ Me Out” went into heavy rotation at pop radio stations across the country and the 2017 release “Drunk On Conversation” has reached over a quarter million streams. Over the years, Amy’s music has earned placements in famous television series Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Vanderpump Rules and other MTV programming.
Amy Hef feels at home on any stage, and has performed for sold-out crowds in a wide spectrum of venues from clubs to major events and Pride festivals. Her fresh and bright perspective is captured in every song and live show. Equal parts natural talent, compassion, and humour, Amy Hef brings a unique approach that easily endears her to any audience. There is no one out there quite like Amy Hef, and she will be the first to tell you that she is bringing the party!
HIGHLIGHTS:
~ Debut country single “Between Us” released February 11, 2022
~ Toured with Ace of Base
~ Opened/direct support for such pop acts as Metric, Bif Naked and Everclear.
~ Winner of 90.3 AMP Radio’s Rock Star contest in 2013
~ 2017 Female Artist of the Year winner at YYC Music Awards
~ 2019 Pop Recording of the Year winner at YYC Music Awards
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André-Philippe Gagnon
Artiste émérite, André-Philippe Gagnon a trouvé sa voie en empruntant celle des autres. D’Yvon Deschamps à Mick Jagger et de Pierre Lapointe à James Blunt, il réussit l’exploit de réunir sur scène les plus grandes voix du show-business international. Dès sa première présence au Festival Juste Pour Rire de Montréal, on l’affublait déjà du titre de véritable phénomène. Il venait alors de réaliser l’exploit d’imiter à la perfection les 18 artistes du hit planétaire We are the World. Un exploit encore inégalé qu’il a répété sur les planches du Tonight Show de Johnny Carson devenant instantanément l’imitateur le plus convoité au monde.
Avec des imitations brillantes, des textes savoureux et un charisme débordant, il a présenté ses spectacles à guichets fermés aux quatre coins de la planète. Du Théâtre St-Denis de Montréal au Venitian de Las Vegas en passant par leRoyal Alexandra Theatre de Toronto et le Casino de Paris, des spectateurs de partout ressortent du spectacle plus qu’épaté : carrément époustouflé.
En tournée au Québec et au Canada francophone du printemps 2006 jusqu’à la fin de l’automne 2008, l’artiste reçoit en 2007 l’OLIVIER du spectacle le plus populaire de l’année, soulignant ainsi son statut du meilleur vendeur de billets de spectacles de l’industrie de l’humour.
Au printemps et à l’été 2009, la tête remplie d’idées, Gagnon planche sur la création de son nouveau spectacle anglophone, lequel est présenté depuis janvier 2010 dans les salles de spectacles du Canada anglais. Faisant appel à certains des meilleurs auteurs canadiens, dont George Reinblatt (Rick Mercer’s Monday Report, Just for Laughs), Gord Holtam & Rick Olsen (Royal Canadian Air Farce) et à l’équipe de création multimédias « Moment Factory » (NIN, Cirque du Soleil), le nouveau spectacle international de l’artiste est son spectacle le plus achevé à ce jour. Autant technologiquement qu’artistiquement, l’artiste prouve une fois de plus son statut d’artiste planétaire.
Extrêmement convoité, l’artiste partage son temps entre ses nombreuses tournées et les spectacles privés qu’il présente à l’invitation d’organisations et de multinationales aux quatre coins du globe. En salle de spectacle ou sur la scène de votre événement, définitivement un artiste à ne pas manquer.
ANDRÉ-PHILIPPE GAGNON EST UN RÉSEAU SOCIAL:
En lui, il y a des centaines et des centaines d’abonnés. Ce sont les plus grandes personnalités québécoises et mondiales: de Ray Charles à Gregory Charles, de Pierre Lapointe à Susan Boyle, de Michael Jackson à Jack Johnson, de Georges Laraque au maire Labeaume. Durant son spectacle, elles interagissent et rafraîchissent leurs statuts. André-Philippe Gagnon multiplie les imitations au rythme d’un tweet! 😉
Au terme de sa tournée nord-américaine, il viendra nous présenter une nouvelle production spécialement conçue pour le Québec par son complice Stéphane Laporte. Un flux ininterrompu de chansons, d’humour et d’interaction multimédia. Venez vous connecter!
ENGLISH:
Andre Philippe Gagnon is the number one singing impressionist in the world today. Known as “the man of a thousand voices”, he has played to sold-out audiences around the world for over three decades. His impressions of famous personalities including Mick Jagger, John Lennon, Louis Armstrong, The Black Eyed Peas and even Fred Flintstone, are rapid-fire and amazingly spot-on. Gagnon can slip from Frank Sinatra to Pharrell Williams in the blink of an eye!
In 2018, Andre Philippe Gagnon is back with a brand new show called “The History of Rock and Roll”. It’s a musical journey through the soundtrack of our lives - from the fifties to today. Gagnon borrows the voices from all of the eras to create the musical history of the last six decades. His new show combines music, comedy, and multimedia to create an unforgettable night of entertainment! A must see for music and comedy fans alike.
“[A] Vocal Illusionist” - Variety Magazine, Los Angeles
“Impressionist Extraordinaire” - Las Vegas Today
Gagnon’s big break came when he appeared on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, performing his version of the famine-relief anthem “We Are the World,” impersonating all 18 famous voices on the song. Following that performance he sold out an entire tour in 3 hours in his home province of Quebec, setting box office records. He has since gone on to perform across the globe, tour with Celine Dion, be featured at the Olympics, and perform the opening of the Skydome broadcast live. Gagnon also completed a decade long residency at the prestigious Casino Venetian in Las Vegas playing to packed houses 6 nights a week, being named “Vegas’ Best New Act”.
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Bobby Wills
An acclaimed musician with a reputation for writing from the heart, Wills has an impressive list of accolades under his belt, including being named the 2013 CCMA “Rising Star” Award winner, and consecutive 2013/2014 and 2018 “Male Artist of the Year” nominations. He also received back to back CCMA Award nominations in 2015/2016 for “Songwriter of the Year” and a pair of 2016 nominations for “Single” and “Album of the Year”. In 2017, Wills was crowned the “Male Artist of the Year” and “Fans Choice” award winner at the Alberta Country Music Association Awards.
2019’s Longshot Bar & Grill album was Wills’ first new release since he dropped the deluxe edition of his 5th studio album In Comes The Night, in early 2018. Featuring the rocking lead single “Get While The Gettin’s Good” and the romantic title track “In Comes The Night”, the EP also includes two variations of the song “Out Of Your Mind”, both a radio edit and a live version. Wills’ also released the 2016 EP Tougher Than Love, which featured three top 10 hits including title track “Tougher Than Love”, “Down By The River” and “Won’t You Be Mine”. In July of 2020, Wills dropped “Wash My Truck”, the first single in a lead up to a new studio album to come, and recently released the follow-up single “Getting’ Her Over You” in October.
Committed to helping others wherever possible, Wills performed during the 2014 Golden Globe Awards weekend in Los Angeles as part of the Oh Canada Cocktail Party to benefit the Friends of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. He also donated all proceeds for two years from worldwide iTunes downloads of his hit single “Show Some Respect”; with 50% donated to the Canadian Museum of Human Rights and 50% donated to the Shoah Foundation.
HIGHLIGHTS:
~ Over 10 Million Streams across all platforms and growing
~ 2018/2014/2013 CCMA Male Artist of the Year Nominations
~ 2017 ACMA Male Artist of the Year Winner
~ 2017 ACMA Fans Choice Award Winner
~ 2016/2015 CCMA Songwriter(s) of the Year Nominations
~ 2016 CCMA Single of the Year Nomination
~ 2016 CCMA Album of the Year Nomination
~ 2013 CCMA Rising Star Award Winner
~ 5 Top 10 hits including “Tougher Than Love”, “Down By The River”, “Won’t You Be Mine”, “Somebody Will” and "Show Some Respect"
~ #22 on 2016 Top 50 Year End Canadian Country Chart
~ “Down By The River” video aired on CMT
~ played Country Thunder (Calgary, AB), Cavendish Beach Music Festival, Canadian Finals Rodeo, Quonset Days, Stampede City Sessions and more.
A FACSCINATING JOURNEY TO A MUSICAL FUTURE:
Adopted as a baby to a family in Calgary Alberta, Bobby Wills didn’t know what an impact his DNA would have on his life path. "My (adopted) dad was a huge country music fan," he says, "but no one ever played music in my family growing up.” Having gotten a taste of the thrill of performing during an open mic while traveling in Australia, upon returning home Bobby connected with his biological family and could not have anticipated the artistic genealogy he was a part of, including five siblings and a musical streak a mile wide running throughout the family. Staying up all night listening to records upon meeting his biological father, it was then that Bobby realized ‘This is in my blood. This isn't just a crazy dream I had; this is part of who I am.' Many moons later, Wills is a shining star in the Country music scene, balancing his two loves, family and music.
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Casey Clarke
Casey Clarke has been a household name to anyone who loves Country music as Casey has been on television and radio for well over two decades. Casey Clarke has been called “the Face” of CMT (Country music Television) as he’s been hosting various programs on the network since 1997. Having been on CMT for over 15 years Casey Clarke is one of the most recognizable personalities in Canada. Casey Clarke was born and raised in Edmonton, AB and found out early in life he wanted a career in broadcasting. Working for stations like CFOK-Westlock, AB, Mountain FM Whistler/Squamish, BC Casey found himself in Vancouver working for “The Satellite Radio Network” and syndicated on 71 stations across Canada. Clarke left Vancouver for Kelowna, BC working for Silk-FM then off to Calgary, AB to join CMT in 1997.
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Chris Buck Band
Even from a young age, Chris Buck knew he was destined to make waves in the music biz.
And fact is, five years since breaking onto the scene with his self-titled, debut album, the singer/songwriter has continued to make a name for himself on the Canadian country stage, and beyond.
“I've always done country music, I've never done anything else,” he explains with a smile. “I sang Alan Jackson at my first karaoke contest. It’s a genre and a lifestyle that has always just spoken to me. It’s how I’ve always lived.”
Now, with brand-new music on its way, Chris says he’s ready for fans to really experience the kind of artist he’s always wanted to be — one that works hard and lays it all on the line.
“I wanted to create an album where every song is something special,” he said. “This album took time, and I think people are really going to be able to see the development, not only as a singer, but a writer, as well. I want everyone to see that hard work does pay off, and this album is the culmination of that.”
One of the fastest rising Canadian country acts since the release of the Billboard Top 20 hit That’s When You Know featuring Kira Isabella, Chris saw the track hit hard with over 7 million streams, earning him a gold record and a CCMA Award nomination for Video of the Year.
Buck went on to release ALL IN in 2019, his second album, adding to his total five Top 40 singles and over 13 million streams.
According to Chris, it’s that slow gradual climb through the ranks which has continued to help him grow over the years, as well as help him understand who is as an artist and performer — and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
Kicking off this new era is Can’t Beat The View, a track written with a very personal love story in mind.
“At that point I had been dating my girlfriend for about a year and a half, and that’s where the inspiration came from, really,” Chris recalled. “It's basically about how you've seen all the beautiful sights in the world, but your girl beats all of them at the end of the day. I think that’s an idea a lot of people are going to relate to.”
In addition to penning and recording some of the strongest material of his career, Chris recently signed with Anthem Music Publishing, as well as new record label Sakamoto Music, distributed by Warner Music Canada.
“After almost two years of writing and working harder than ever, that’s a really rewarding thing to be able to share,” he said, adding he’s been lucky enough to have a great relationship with the entire Sakamoto Agency Team over the years. “I’m so excited for this next chapter in my career, and I can't wait for everyone to hear some of the new music I've recorded with award-winning producers Jeremy Stover/Julian King and Dan Swinimer.”
RADIO & STREAMING
- Over 10 Million Streams on Spotify alone, with over 1.6 million listeners
- Over 1.5 million streams on ALL IN Album
- Latest single to radio “Holy Ground” released August 2019, featured at #19 on Country Radio Hits Playlist (Apple Music), debuted in Yangaroo’s Most Active Indies for several weeks, and appears on over 700 Spotify-curated & personal playlists
- “Holy Ground” music video premiered on TheBoot.com
- 5 Top 40 hits: "Good Ol Days", "That's When You Know", “Sun Sets Down”, “Leave Your Light On” “Giddy Up”
- 1 Top 20 hit: "That's When You Know" (#1 most added radio single for 3 weeks & 6 mos. on SiriusXM’s “Top 10 Most Wanted”)
- Currently in the Top 30 most played Canadian country artists on Spotify and CBC Country/SiriusXM
- Over 800,000 views on Youtube and over 44,000 social media follows/likes (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)
- “That’s When You Know” Video Premiered on CMT Canada & CMT.ca, and song trended on Shazam with over 38,000 followers
HIGHLIGHTS
- Featured at BreakOut West, JUNOfest, East Coast Music Awards, Country Music Association of Ontario Awards
- ALL IN Album Artwork nominated for 2019 CCMA Creative Director of the Year (Feisty Creative)
- Seven BCCMA Nominations in 2019 for Entertainer of The Year, Group or Duo of The Year, Interactive Artist of The Year, Album of The Year, Single of The Year (Good Ol’ Days), Songwriter of The Year, and Video of The Year (Good Ol’ Days)
- Four BCCMA Nominations in 2018 for Entertainer of the Year, Fans' Choice, Group of the Year, Interactive Artist of The Year
- Winners of the 2017 British Columbia Country Music Award (BCCMA) for Album of the Year
- Nominated for Video of the Year at the 2017 Canadian Country Music Awards (CCMA)
- MusicBC Featured Artists at The 2017 Whistler Film Festival
- Three-time Winners (2014, 2015 & 2016) of the BCCMA for Club Act of the Year
- Three BCCMA Nominations in 2016 for Group of the Year, Video of the Year and Song of the Year
- Winners of 1st prize in the Nashville 2016 UnSigned Only songwriting contest
- Winners of the 2015 BCCMA for Group/Duo of the Year
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Garrett Gregory
Garrett Gregory is an ambitious vocalist with a shockingly powerful voice and a live show that has been turning heads with his breakthrough into country music. Even so, while his powerhouse voice packs a strong right hook; his real talent lies in his high energy, his theatrical and captivating shows, and his natural ability to completely move a crowd.
He recently released an EP with the band Chillbilly, with the single “Hot With Her Hair Down” ranking as a top 5 indie download on DMDS, playing on hundreds of stations. Along with this, Garrett has branched out on his own, writing and recording a solo album that is expected for release in 2019.
Born in the rural town of Hanna, Alberta, Garrett Gregory grew up living the small-town life, singing in bands and competitions throughout Canada since he was 8 years old. His charming and engaging style has driven his bookings for rodeos, fundraisers, festivals, and galas to sometimes happen even years in advance. He’s played Williams Lake Stampede, Wurst for Stampede, Lilac Festival, ACMA kickoff party, Flatts Fest, Dawson Creek Rodeo, Handhills Rodeo (100 yr anniversary), Ranchman’s, Nashville North, and a plethora of other festivals, fundraisers, galas, and parties.
In addition to writing his own music, his passion for music has seen Garrett also develop an extensive repertoire of cover songs of all genres. From Merle Haggard to Eric Church, and The Rolling Stones to Jimmy Eat World, Garrett Gregory brings a show to remember. His goal: continue providing people with a great time while doing what he loves.
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Hailey Benedict
Recognized as a five-time North America Country Music Association International Youth winner, including Most Promising Female Entertainer & Songwriter, Hailey Benedict continues to make her mark as a rising talent in the Canadian music industry. She is the first artist to simultaneously secure the iHeart Radio Future Star and Stingray Trending track features, which catapulted her single, "Wanted You To", to hit #25 on the Mediabase country charts and become the highest-charting independent CANCON single of 2021. Hailey went on to win both Horizon Female Artist of the Year and Horizon Single of the Year at the Country Music Alberta Awards in March 2022, and was named the Edmonton Music Awards Rising Star and ACMA Horizon Youth Artist of the Year in 2019. She’s garnered attention online with over 200K followers on Tik Tok, and recently secured a song cut for a feature film "Lanterns Lane".
Hailey has had the privilege of opening for several internationally recognized country music artists such as Jason Aldean, Blue Rodeo, Lindsay Ell, Doc Walker and Gord Bamford. Most notably, Hailey captured international attention from her impromptu performance for country superstar Keith Urban and 20,000 fans on opening night at Roger's Place. Urban shared the video and his appreciation on his social media accounts. Hailey's diverse music talents have also seen her perform at the Alberta Country Music Awards, Big Valley Jamboree and K-Days mainstages, Canadian Finals Rodeo, and both the Bluebird Cafe & Tootsies in Nashville. A strong advocate for mental health and anti-bullying, Hailey supports charitable foundations such as The Stollery Children's Hospital, CASA Foundation, Santa's Anonymous, Jacks.Org, and the CIBC Run for the Cure. As a result of her achievements and philanthropic efforts in the community, Hailey was also honoured as one of the youngest ever Global Woman of Vision award recipients.
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Jason Benoit
With 4 Top 30 hits, including his self-penned GOLD certified Top 10 single ‘Gone Long Gone’, 2021 MusicNL Indigenous Artist of the year, and with his many ECMA and CCMA Awards and Nominations, Jason Benoit has solidified his place in Canadian Country Music. He has been direct tour support for major country artists such as Old Dominion, Tenille Townes, Tim Hicks, and The Washboard Union also performing the main stage on Nationally acclaimed Music festivals such as Boots and Hearts and Cavendish Beach Music Fest Multiple times. With over 10 million streams worldwide, his raw writing style, and his entertaining live show, Benoit undoubtedly has become a fan favourite in Canadian Country Music.
Jason's latest project, "Time Traveller - Side A," was released in April 2023 and has achieved nearly 2 million streams.
HIGHLIGHTS:
• Selected to perform at the 2022 CCMA Songwriters Unplugged Series
• Selected to showcase in Toronto at 2022 Canadian Music Week
• Gold Single with “Gone Long Gone” a Top 10 Country single (#7)
• 4 Top 30 hits at Country Radio including “Cold Day Comin”, “Crazy Kind of Love”, and
“All Wanna Party”
• “Slow Hand” was #1 Most Active Indie & #3 Most Downloaded during first week of release
• 2020 Winner ECMA Fan’s Choice Video of the Year for “Slow Hand”
• First independent Country Artist invited to the 2018 MuchMusic Video Awards
• Nominee for 2018 EMCA Best Country Album
• Winner of the 2015 CCMA Discovery Award
• Nominee for 2015 CCMA Rising Star Award
• Top 3 National Finalist in the Sirius XM Top of the Country Contest
• Over 40k followers across social media platforms
• 700,000 views on YouTube/Vevo and over 3100 subscribers
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Kalsey Kulyk
Kalsey Kulyk has enjoyed a lifelong passion for music, and audiences and critics also hear something special. Mixing effortlessly rich and bright vocals, with lyrics you feel in the guts, makes her sound both fresh and familiar, and perfectly honed for country music. Raised in Hudson Bay, SK, Kalsey Kulyk got hooked on singing and playing the guitar at a young age. She took part in hundreds of talent shows and competitions, winning her first songwriting competition at age 13. Everything changed in high school when Kalsey fell ill with cancer, though her journey to recovery created songwriting inspiration, and the entire experience solidified Kulyk’s belief in a career in music. Now with an arsenal of songs and a survivor’s determination, Kalsey Kulyk is sharing her passions with the world, she says “What is life unless you’re doing what you love every single day?”
Her 2019 debut self-titled album, which delivered impeccable songwriting, classic upbeat country, and heartfelt ballads; premiered at #2 in Canada on iTunes/Apple Music and was nominated for Roots Album of the Year at the 2020 CCMA’s, with over 3 million streams to date. Kalsey helped kickstart her career in 2017 by winning both the CCMA Discovery Award and Anthem Entertainment’s (formerly ole) On The Spot contest on the same day, which came with a label development deal that resulted in her 2019 release. Living in Nashville for a couple years, Kalsey earned a ranking as prolific songwriter, working with notable writers such as Liz Rose and Phil Barton, and building a large catalogue of songs and credits. Signed to Sakamoto Agency in 2019, Kalsey has played shows across Canada, including festivals such as Country at the Creek (SK), Hagersville Rocks (ON), Crook Rapids Country Fest (ON), Hallywood Jamboree (AB), and Frontier Days (SK) as well as many fairs, rodeos, and clubs. Through summer 2020, Kalsey toured with her husband Eric Ethridge on the “Love on the Road Tour” playing live outdoor shows from a camperized Sprinter van. In 2021 Kalsey became a mom (publicly announced by ET Canada), and within a few months she was right back up on stage. Most recently in 2022 after playing summer shows, Kalsey started shooting with Canada’s Got Talent, and will perform in the next season of the show.
HIGHLIGHTS:
~ Produced by Fleetwood Mac’s Richard Dashut
~ Over 4 Million catalogue streams
~ Self-titled Album debuted at #2 album in Canada on iTunes/Apple Music
~ Over 67,000 followers across social media platforms
~ 2020 Bell Future Star
~ 2020 CCMA Nomination for Roots Album of The Year
~ 2019 CMT Artist Discovery Feature
~ 2019 Taste of Country - Nashville’s Top 5 Artists to Watch
~ “Damn You Love” video reached over 113,000 views within 1 month and hit #8 on CMT for music videos
~ “Bad Liar” video presented on syndicated networks across the USA (CMT, Heartland, The Country Network, Music Mix USA, CMC Country)
~ Placements with RX Music for videos/singles broadcast at over 200 retail locations in North America
~ Winner of ole/Anthem “On The Spot” and CCMA Discovery Program on same day in 2017
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Kendra Kay
Raised in a rodeo family on the Canadian prairies, few artists capture the spirit of country music like award winning singer/songwriter Kendra Kay. In a few short years, she became a 2 x MCMA Female Artist of the Year, earned a Top 10 spot in the National CBC Searchlight Competition and joined the roster of Sakamoto Agency.
Putting grit, determination and ‘powerhouse vocals’ (Top Country News) into her music, she has amassed a million + global streams, spent 17 weeks in the Top 100 Canada Country Airplay Chart and secured synchronization in the USA with her latest single ‘Steady’. Her recent EP More to Me, was co-produced by country star Terri Clark, Juno Award winner Jeff Jones, and CCMA Producer of the Year Murray Pulver.
Armed with her 5-piece band, she has made fans across Canada with major performances including the CFL Banjo Bowl Halftime Show at Investor’s Group Stadium, joining Tim Hicks on his ‘Get Loud’ tour and playing at Canadian Finals Rodeo. Driven by a passion to entertain her fans and perform great country music, she has played Dauphin’s CountryFest Mainstage, Canadian Finals Rodeo, Canadian Music Week, Sunfest Country Music Festival, and opened for James Barker Band, Gord Bamford, Jess Moskaluke, Charlie Major and Aaron Prichett.
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Kyle McKearney
In 2020, Kyle McKearney was restless and ready to start something new. After spending time in Nashville and being a part of many varied musical projects, he settled in Alberta and began posting YouTube videos of himself performing cover songs. It was the start of a creative reinvention, and two years later Kyle’s debut solo album Down-Home received a Canadian Country Music Association award nomination for Alternative Country Album of the Year.
Yet, that was only one of the accolades that have boosted Kyle McKearney’s status as Canada’s biggest breakthrough independent country/Americana artist of 2022. He also earned two Western Canadian Music Award nominations, was named a SiriusXM Top of the Country semi-finalist, placed second in Alberta Music’s Project Wild (for which he was awarded $75,000), shared stages with The Black Crowes, Kip Moore, Our Lady Peace and Dean Brody, all while racking up over one million global streams.
Kyle hasn’t wasted any time building on that momentum. Fans have been treated to new music over the past several months with the singles “Mercy,” “River Rain” and “Grandfather” displaying Kyle’s maturation as a songwriter, while still showing off his powerful voice and his evolving collaboration with Juno Award-winning producer/guitarist/songwriter Russell Broom. It’s all there as well on the latest single, “Whispering Pines,” a soaring duet between Kyle and his wife Sarah that immediately belongs in the conversation of songs at the cutting edge of country music’s current renaissance.
"I wrote ‘Whispering Pines’ while I was working a shift job,” Kyle explains. “It was two weeks away from home at a time in a place where I felt isolated. This song speaks to so many families’ situations; one parent working away while the other takes care of things at home. It can be very tough and can take its toll on any relationship.”
Such honest emotions have formed the bedrock of every song Kyle has written to date, a reflection of being born and raised in small-town northern British Columbia, and his family’s Metis heritage. Kyle grew up listening to country and bluegrass, both of which sparked his interest in music. He would later explore rock and pop sounds with various projects, including playing guitar in the band that accompanied the touring production of Queen’s We Will Rock You.
With the onset of the pandemic, Kyle was left virtually back at square one, although in some ways it became a blessing in disguise. Returning to his country roots, Kyle quickly found his voice and hasn’t looked back since.
With Kyle’s sound encompassing not only country, but blues, R&B and rock ‘n’ roll as well, he exemplifies everything the Americana genre represents: music for anyone who appreciates pure heart and soul.
3x Country Music Alberta Awards 2023 nominee
3x Canadian Folk Music Awards 2023 nominee
2x Canadian Country Music Awards 2022 nominee
2x Western Canadian Music Awards 2022 nominee
3x Country Music Alberta Awards 2022 nominee
2x YYC Music Awards 2022 nominee
Winner - YYC Music Awards 2022 Songwriter of the Year
Winner of the inaugural Henry Armstrong Award
(Indigenous artist mentorship presented by MDM Recordings)
SiriusXM’s 2022 “Top of the Country” Semi-Finalist
AmericanaFest USA 2022 - Canada House showcase artist
Alberta Music’s Project Wild 2022 - $75,000 Prize Winner
Live shows in 2022 supporting: The Black Crowes, Kip Moore,
Michelle Wright, George Canyon, Terri Clark, Brett Kissel,
Dean Brody, Serena Ryder, The Washboard Union more
Debut Album “Down-Home” now passed 1,500,000 global streams
Co-wrote a song with Roger Taylor (QUEEN) for a Holiday film
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Lemon Cash
There’s a saying when life hands you lemons, make lemonade. Ottawa-born brothers, Cory and Jeff Papineau live by this saying. So much so, that they named their band Lemon Cash. The band’s name was inspired from the brothers childhood when they ran a neighbourhood lemonade stand. The two brothers would come home each day celebrating their hard- earned “lemon cash”. To this day they share similar interests in music and continue to write and record music together. Starting out as a rock band, they had success playing lots of gigs, receiving radio traction and formed quite a substantial following. Looking to evolve their music, Cory and Jeff found their sweet spot and transitioned into the country world where they would come to realize this is where their tastes and personalities fit best.
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Nice Horse
Nice Horse is wild: wildly talented, wildly entertaining, fun, fresh, fierce and feisty, and they’ve established themselves as one of the most buzzed-about and fast-rising groups in the Canadian music industry. A live act to be reckoned with, the self-contained all-female group has played high-profile festivals across Canada including Boots & Hearts, Big Valley Jamboree, and the Calgary Stampede, and has performed in Spain and France. They have also toured as direct support for legendary artists such as Tom Cochrane and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. The band, made up of Katie Rox (vocals / banjo / acoustic guitar), Brandi Sidoryk (vocals / bass), Tara McLeod (vocals / electric guitar), and Krista Wodelet (vocals / drums), has garnered significant accolades since forming in 2015, including ten Canadian Country Music Award (CCMA) nominations, eight Country Music Alberta Awards, and the 2021 and 2022 Western Canadian Music Award for Country Artist of the Year.
Nice Horse released three singles in the past two years, all with a focus on DSPs. “Good At Missing You” (June 2021) peaked at #55 on BDS despite no formal radio campaign, and the song’s grassroots popularity continues to grow nearly two years after its release – in March 2022 it was added to Spotify’s Women of Country editorial playlist. “Trampoline” (October 2021) was added to a record number of playlists for the band in its first week, including four Apple Music playlists, four Amazon Music playlists, and five editorial Spotify playlists, in addition to a cover feature on YouTube’s “The New Crop”. The genre-defying video, released October 2021, has over 15,000 views on YouTube.
“High School” (January 2021) has over 350,000 combined streams across all major platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube). Created during the pandemic, the music video was a DIY effort by the band and is now their most viewed video on YouTube, with over 200,000 views since its premiere on March 12, 2021. It hit #1 on Stingray Hot Country Videos, and bassist Brandi and drummer Krista were nominated for Video Director(s) of the Year at the 2021 Canadian Country Music Awards. The video won the Canadian Country Music Association Award for Video of the Year (2022), Country Music Alberta award for Video of the Year, and the Canadian Independent Music Video Award for Best Country Video.
Notable shows include a featured-artist evening slot at the Calgary Stampede’s Nashville North, opening slots for Barney Bentall and Jim Cuddy, a direct support tour for platinum-selling artist Tebey, and the halftime show at the Calgary Stampeders’ Labour Day Classic.
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Raquel Cole
“A dynamite vocalist, songwriter and guitar slinger to boot!” is what American Songwriter Magazine called Raquel Cole in a recent interview. Her skill as a musician is one of the first things that her audience notices about this British Columbia native as she owns opening spots for artists like Carrie Underwood, Jonny Lang, Brothers Osborne, Scotty McCreery as well as Josh Turner, with whom she toured extensively. They are not the only ones catching onto the fiery and soulful music Cole is making, in 2017 she was named by The CBC and Radio Canada as “25 under 25 musicians everyone needs to know,” alongside Alessia Cara and Shawn Mendes.
She is a recipient of the CCMA Discovery Award and the winner of several accolades from the American Songwriting Magazine lyric contest, U.S. Today for their exclusive "Playlist" pick, and The International Songwriting Competition where her song, "Imogene" took home 2nd place in the Unsigned Only Category. Cole has also found success writing for other artists, and claims her first Billboard Top 10 Country Album charting song recorded by superstar, Marie Osmond.
Raquel continues to make her mark on the Canadian country scene, in the last year she was a finalist in the 2021 SiriusXM Top of the Country contest, her first-ever single at country radio charted at #43, and she's completed a cross-Canada tour opening for The Washboard Union that started in April and ended in October 2022.
Singing has been Cole’s first love for as long as she can remember acquiring her first guitar at the age of nine Cole started to write songs not long after that. She was inspired by hit songs she heard on the radio from artists like Shania Twain and Bryan Adams, but also from jamming with her dad, a drummer, in the basement learning how to play 70’s rock and roll. Her debut album "Personal Truth" made it’s way to the airwaves in 2018. Throughout 2020, Cole also recorded three songs that she co-wrote, doing all vocals and guitars on the project, as well as adding cello. The result, “The Essence of Me”, was released in August 2020, which has also racked up over 250,000 streams globally.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Top 3 finalist in the Sirius XM 'Top of the Country' contest (in partnership with the CCMA)
• Over 560K global digital streams
• CCMA 2015 Discovery Award recipient
• named by CBC/Radio-Canada as “25 under 25 Musicians Everyone Needs to Know,” alongside Alessia Cara and Shawn Mendes
• 2nd place in the Unsigned Only Category of The International Songwriting Competition for her song, "Imogene"
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River Town Saints
Originally a 5-piece band from the Ottawa Valley, the River Town Saints have a lot to show for the last couple of years, including; millions of YouTube views and Spotify streams, a top 10 hit with their single, “Bonfire,” CCMA nominations, CMAO and Canadian Radio Music Awards, tours with Tim Hicks, Kip Moore and large-scale festivals. Known for their energetic live show, rich vocal harmonies and good times, the Saints were just getting started.
When their original singer departed in 2018, and months later, their bassist and best friend Daniel Di Giacomo died tragically at 31, it would have been understandable to throw in the towel.
Not a chance.
Remaining members Jeremy Bortot, Chris McComb and Jordan Potvin, got to work writing songs and looking for a new lead singer. As fate would have it, newcomer Chase Kasner fit the bill. Kasner hails from Kirkland Lake, Ontario, where he was raised in a large musical family. Country music runs deep in his blood, given his grandmother, Mary Bailey, was an accomplished Canadian country singer who also discovered and mentored Shania Twain early on in her career. Lifelong friend Joe Patrois was the final piece to complete the group. An ally of the band since the beginning and a gifted bassist, it only made sense for Joe to humbly continue on in Dan’s place.
With a powerful, soulful new voice to helm the group, combined with a renewed determination to pick up where they left off, RTS is reborn, recharged and ready.
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The Abrams
When The Abrams play live, what you see is what you get. Performing with an explosive energy, honed over two decades of experience in front of audiences around the world, The Abrams’ live show is the kind that can’t be whipped up over a few weeks in a rehearsal space.
Knowing what they can accomplish in the studio, and how to translate that to the stage, The Abrams have taken their place alongside Canada’s best-known country music stars. The country duo from Kingston, Ontario have been performing together since John was 11 and James was 9. At 12 and 15, The Abrams were the youngest Canadian duo to play The Grand Ole Opry. Their nearly 20-year touring career has had a significant worldly influence on their songwriting, which continues to have a lasting emotional impact with their fans across cultural divides, whether they are playing in a community hall in Texas, or at a world music festival in Israel.
2023 finds The Abrams re-energized after the release of Warner Music Canada single, “Something New,” climbed the Canadian radio charts and streaming outlets. The EP is a fresh sound for the duo, incorporating their acoustic mountain-music roots with snappy pop-country beats
and textures, harmoniously brought together by hitmaker Tawgs Salter (Hunter Hayes, Scott Helman, Walk Off The Earth). Each of the songs, both lyrically and musically, reflect how John and James are both young and old souls; time-tested and authentic, with a catchy fire and energy. That’s what they bring to the stage and it captures and engages every audience.
HIGHLIGHTS:
• Over 3 million total streams
• 6x CMA Ontario Award Winners including 2017 and 2019 Roots Artist or Group of the Year, 2022 Duo or Group of the Year
• Performed on the main stages at Boots and Hearts, Big Valley Jamboree, Cavendish Beach Festival, Dauphin Country Fest, Winnipeg Folk Festival, Hillside Festival and more
• Opened for The Dixie Chicks, Feist, America, Tom Cochrane, Mickey Hart (The Grateful Dead), John Hammond, Dean Brody, and Tim Hicks, among others.
• Opened the Ralph Stanley Museum in Clintwood, VA with an exclusive show featuring Ralph Stanley
• Performed on The Grand Ole Opry in 2005, and were among the youngest performers to appear on the show
• Awarded the Daniel Pearl Violin in 2006, recognizing them as global ambassadors for peace
• 6x top billed main stage headliners of the Jacob’s Ladder Festival in Galilee, Israel
• Top 40 charting at Canadian Country Radio with “Fine”
• Top 100 charting in the US on Americana Radio with “Northern Redemption”
• Heavy rotation on CMT in the US and Canada with videos from Northern Redemption album and self-titled EP
• Featured multiple times on NPR, BBC, CBC, Bravo, Cosmopolitan, FOX and NBC
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The Prairie States
Mixing the old with the new, The Prairie States was born out of a desire to put a fresh touch on a classic design. Mat Cardinal, Jeff Dick, Mike Nash, Doc de Groot, and Jay Der formed The Prairie States in 2017, releasing their debut Lost In The Right Direction in June 2018, which spawned 3 singles in the Mediabase Top 100. Since then, the band has released three more singles, “Every Little Town,” “Low Life,” and “High That I’m Riding,” all of which also cracked the Top 100, and led to the band winning Country Music Alberta Awards for Album of the Year and Group/Duo of the Year in 2021.
The group’s latest release, “Rebel Phase”, released on indie label Willing Records (Universal), is about taking a soaring leap of faith, without a parachute, into a lifestyle that falls beyond the horizon of normal. It’s about roots that continue to grow but never stay planted, and living a life that is chosen. It’s an example of the band’s dedication to their craft, and ready with a stack of brand new recordings, this band shows no signs of slowing down.
Nine-time Country Music Alberta Award recipients including the Rising Star, Album of the Year, Horizon Group/Duo Of The Year, and Songwriters of the Year, The Prairie States also won 1st place in the 2018 Project Wild Artist Development Program. They also love to get creative with fan interaction and marketing, and to go along with the single release “Low Life,” the band teamed up with Sea Change Brewing Co to create a custom branded beer called Low Life Lager, with a QR code printed on the can to hear the song. Exploring new technology is also important to the band, they recently became one of the first Canadian bands to release NFTs of their EP, available via OpenSea.io.
Of course, The Prairie States are also out on the road wowing crowds as much as possible, and they’ve shared stages with Aaron Goodvin, The Washboard Union, Brothers Osborne, and Canadian legend Charlie Major to date, with many more to come.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- 2021 CMAB Group or Duo of the Year & Album of the Year
- 2020 CMAB Video of the Year, Songwriters of the Year & Community Spirit Award
- 2019 CMAB Group or Duo of the Year & Video of the Year
- 2018 CMAB Fan's Choice
- 1st place in the 2018 Project WILD Artist Development Program presented by Wild 95.3 and Alberta Music
- 6x singles in the Mediabase Top 100
- Played Big Valley Jamboree, Skills Canada Alberta Opening Ceremonies, Beaumont Blues Fest, City Of Edmonton New Years Eve, Bulls After Dark (Calgary Stampede), Stampede City Sessions
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The Story of the Hag featuring Jess Lee
ABOUT THE SHOW
Be part of a special evening dedicated to one of the greatest artists in country music history - Merle Haggard. In “The Story of the Hag”, JUNO-nominated singer Jess Lee will take you on a journey through Haggard’s incredible life and times through stories and songs. With an incredible career spanning six decades, Haggard rose from poverty and prison to international fame through his songs about outlaws, underdogs, the heartbroken and the hard-living. Haggard wrote songs for the working class to drink to, dance to, and cry to. He notched 40 No. 1 hits including ”Working Man Blues”, “Mama Tried”, “Silver Wings” and one of the most famous country songs of all time, “Okie From Muskogee”. The show also includes the stories from Haggard’s life that echo the songs he sang; he was born poor, raised in a converted railway boxcar and turned 21 in prison before turning his life around to become a country music hero. “The Story of The Hag “ is a must-see for Haggard fans and music fans alike.
ABOUT JESS LEE
Jess Lee is a JUNO-nominated singer who rose to fame as the lead singer of the Midnite Rodeo Band. Signed to RCA, the group charted 14 singles on the Canadian country charts in the 80’s, picking up nominations for Group Of The Year at both the JUNO Awards and the Canadian Country Music Association awards. Lee went on to a successful solo career with 5 Canadian chart hits including the No. 1 song “Crowhill Road”. He was inducted into the BCCMA Hall of Fame in 2011. With a voice praised as the best pure country voice in Canada by Country Music News, Lee effortlessly emulates the rich, smooth baritone of Merle Haggard.
PRODUCED BY GNR ENTERTAINMENT
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The Washboard Union
3x reigning CCMA Group of the Year and 5x CCMA Roots Artist/ Album of the Year, The Washboard Union are among Canada’s preeminent country bands, and one of the most talked about Canadian bands today. Led by step-brothers Aaron Grain & Chris Duncombe and their best friend David John Roberts, The Washboard Union share a love for the art of songwriting and storytelling that has resonated with audiences from North America to Europe. Certified Gold twice in Canada, the band has had seven Top 10 hits and numerous top 20 hits, and was the first country band to win the JUNO Award for Breakthrough Group of the Year; a multi-genre category. On their latest album Everbound, released in April 2020, The Washboard Union keeps the good times rolling with an irresistible blend of roof-raising anthems and poignant ballads, coupled with their impeccable three-part harmony and top-notch musicianship.
The Washboard Union have also donated their music and merchandise to countless other charitable events including Basic for Babies (BC), STARS Air Ambulance fundraisers (CAN), Gone Country Cancer Fundraiser (BC), Love of Children Charity Golf Classic (AB), Listowel Arena Fundraiser (ON), Red Cross fundraiser for Fort Mac (AB), and many more, proving their passion extends from the joy in their hearts into everything they do. This is a band that cares deeply about their fans, and anyone who has seen them live knows The Washboard Union engage with their audience at every opportunity. One of the busiest bands touring in Canada, The Washboard Union have played nearly every stage between Vancouver Island and Newfoundland, over to Europe and back, and have shared the stage with Old Dominion, Keith Urban, Reba McEntire, Dwight Yoakam, Jason Aldean, Zac Brown Band, Thomas Rhett, Lonestar, and more.
AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS
• JUNO Awards: First and Only Country Group to ever win Junos Breakthrough Group of the Year (2019)
• 3x consecutive CCMA Group of the Year (2018-2020) (First Artist in a decade to win 3 in a row)
• 5x consecutive CCMA Roots Artist/Album of the Year (First Artist in a decade to win 5 in a row) (2016-2020)
• 9 career-to-date CCMA Award Wins (2016-2020) • 2x Certified Gold Artist: “Country Thunder” (2021)
“Shot of Glory” (2017)
• WCMA: Country Artist of the Year (2017)
• 25 career-to-date BCCMA Award Wins (2015-2020)
including Entertainer of the Year, Album of the Year, Group or Duo of the Year, Songwriter(s) of the Year, Single of the Year and more
RADIO:
• Over 330,000 spins & almost 1 billion audience impressions on country radio to date
• 2 top 5 hits “Shot of Glory”, and “Country Thunder”
• 9 top 10 hits including “Maybe Its the Moonshine”, “Shine,” “Dock Rock,” “She Gets Me,” & “Feel Like That”
• 6 Singles were #1 most added at radio upon release, with “Country Thunder” and “Dock Rock” spending nearly a month as #1 most added
STREAMING:
• Featured Spotify Billboard Artist 2020
• Over 70 million catalogue streams to date
• Over 27 Million streams on Spotify
• Over 19 Million streams on Apple Music
• Over 14 Million streams on Amazon Music
• Over 9.1 Million views on YouTube
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