The Cavendish Beach Music Festival (CBMF), presented by Bell is making a triumphant return, the festival is back with main stage headliners Luke Combs on Thursday, July 7th (sold out), Darius Rucker on Friday, July 8th, and Dustin Lynch on Saturday, July 9th.
Rounding out the main stage line-up includes CMA Award-winner Raquel Cole and Tyler Joe Miller, amongst many other amazing performers.
The Colliding Tides Kitchen Stage will also kick off on Thursday, July 7th, and run until Saturday, July 9th, including an incredible array of talents such as multiple CCMA Award-nominated and CMAB award-winnersNice Horse, multiple CMAB award-winnerMariya Stokes, and multi-award-nominatedChris Ryan.
Two-time award-winner of the Canadian Country Music Association Festival / Event of the Year and nominee for the East Coast Music Association Festival / Event of the Year, Cavendish Beach Music Festival has quickly grown to become Atlantic Canada's largest multi-day outdoor music festival. Located in the picturesque coastal resort community of Cavendish, P.E.I, Cavendish is turned into the hottest, most star-studded spot in the region every July, attracting over 60,000 country music fans each year. Past festival performers have included Eric Church, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, Taylor Swift, Brad Paisley, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw, Brett Eldredge, Lady Antebellum, and country legends Ricky Skaggs, Alabama, Reba, and pop sensation Shawn Mendes.
Signed to MDM Recordings Inc. in 2019, Surrey, BC’s Tyler Joe Miller quickly began to make a name for himself in Canadian country music and continues his meteoric rise with the release of his latest single ‘Wild As Her’. After releasing his gold-certified debut single, ‘Pillow Talkin’’ at the end of 2019, the catchy tune quickly earned him the title of iHeartRadio Future Star and became his first #1 single at Canadian country radio. What followed was an unprecedented and record-breaking climb with follow-up single ‘I Would Be Over Me Too’, which steadily rose on the charts and earned Miller the distinction as the first independent Canadian country artist to reach #1 at radio with their first two singles. His debut EP Sometimes I Don’t, But Sometimes I Do has amassed over 20 million combined streams to date, with sophomore single ‘Fighting’ hitting the Top 10 and title-track ‘Sometimes I Do’ reaching the Top 5 respectively. Most recently, Miller was named SiriusXM’s 2021 Top of the Country winner and was nominated for four 2021 CCMA Awards including “Album of the Year”, “Male Artist of the Year”, “Rising Star”, and “Fan’s Choice”. Continuing with the momentum from his meteoric rise in 2021, Miller is back in the studio and continuously working on new music to be released later this year.
''Canadian singer/songwriter Tyler Joe Miller is as authentic as it comes,'' says Kim Cyr, Editor in Chief for NOW and THEN Magazine, radio host at 91.3 FM, and host of the International Music's Journey Podcast. ''It takes an artist years to learn their craft, the sound, and the kind of artist they want to be. It is a learning curb that takes a lot of blood sweat and tears with a lot of trial and error along the way. TJ has done it all in record time with an unprecedented 2 #1 first singles to go to radio. There are countless awards since his appearance on the country stage in 2019 with more nominations later this year. I had the chance to chat with TJ about his incredible list of live shows he has coming up, his new single, and his new music set to release at the end of the summer. There are so many exciting things happening for this young artist and he certainly knows how to make an entrance into the country music industry here in Canada. We are going to be hearing a lot about TJ, Tyler Joe Miller for many more years to come. His future is looking pretty bright! Tyler Joe Miller is an artist who has a heart of gold giving back with his non-for-profit foundation The Climb Outreach Society. We talk about it all.'' To hear my interview with TJ, you can go to www.musicsjourney.com or you can click on the link below.
Rising Canadian country singer-songwriter Shawn Austin has released his Local Hay/Big Loud Records debut EP, Planes Don’t Wait.
Produced by Scott Cooke, the 7-track collection includes fan-favorites “Get You,” the Chris Lane collaboration “Tailgate To Heaven” and the title track “Planes Don’t Wait,” in addition to four new tracks. Composed of entirely outside cuts, the EP features songs penned by some of Music City’s most in-demand writers, including Craig Wiseman, Kelly Archer, Hillary Lindsey, Jordan Schmidt, Mark Holman, Brian Kelley, Ernest Keith Smith, Jessie Jo Dillon, Jon Nite, Cary Barlowe, and more.
With more than 27 million global career streams, the 2021 CCMA Award Rising Star nominee has spent the first half of 2022 on Dallas Smith‘s Canadian “Some Things Never Change Tour,” which wraps this Thursday (June 30) in Toronto.
A Vancouver native, Austin was recently a season two finalist on NBC’s Songland, pitching Florida Georgia Line as a songwriting contestant. This year, he launched a new chapter of his career as he signed with Local Hay/ Big Loud Records, and hit the top 5 at Canadian country radio with “Tailgate To Heaven.”
''Shawn Austin's new ep ''Planes Don't Wait'' was revealed and it is pretty impressive,'' says Kim Cyr, Editor in Chief for NOW and THEN Magazine, radio host, and host for the International Music's Journey Podcast. ''Austin's debut ep lyrics of every song are front and center with some pretty sweet new sounds that fans are going to love live. I had the chance to catch up with Shawn for a chat about the new ep and the massive tour wrapping up with country star Dallas Smith.'' To hear my interview, go to www.musicsjourney.com or click on the link below.
Kelly is a third-generation singer-songwriter (Daughter of Tracey Brown & Randall Prescott of Family Brown) and is currently on the “Some Things Never Change Tour” with Dallas Smith, opening the show across the country! The past year has been a whirlwind for singer-songwriter Kelly Prescott since the release of her acclaimed EP “Love Wins.” The self-penned six-song collection earned Prescott her first-ever CCMA Award nomination for “Roots Album of the Year” and two CMAO nominations for “Album of the Year” and “Roots Artist of the Year.” In addition to her current tour with Dallas Smith, Prescott has toured all over North America with such acts as Alan Doyle, Kyle Cook (Matchbox 20), Terri Clark, Dallas Smith, Jim Cuddy, Colin James, and Dean Brody!
In music as in sports, there are so-called naturals. And then there is Kelly Prescott, whose fate as a country star destined for marquee stages around the globe was pretty much sealed in the womb.
As a third-generation singer-songwriter and bona fide country music blueblood, Prescott’s career choice has always been obvious. But the speed at which the wildly charismatic performer has realized her goals has been extraordinary.
To wit: as Prescott’s dazzling and sonically multifaceted third EP Cloud 9 drops June 30, she will be on-stage in Toronto near the end of a major arena tour alongside Canuck country superstar and long-time pal Dallas Smith.
Smith is not only Prescott’s biggest cheerleader but also on her management team. Why? Because Kelly Prescott recently thrilled audiences across Canada supporting Alan Doyle. Smith knows towering talent when he hears it.
Also, by the time of Cloud 9’s release, its lead single “Convertible” — the rip-snortin’ honky-tonk corker and follow-up to the winning singles “Trailer Trashed” from late 2021 and “Church” from 2020 — has been igniting country music charts from Nanaimo to Nashville, handily showcasing Prescott’s massively expressive voice.
Warner Music Canada recording artist Kelly Prescott has released her new single “Convertible.” The third-generation singer-songwriter and bona fide country music blueblood will be releasing the unapologetically steamy single everywhere music is available. Prescott will celebrate the release of the new single from the stage where she will be supporting country music superstar Dallas Smith on a 24-date Canadian tour. The dates run from May 24 all the way through to June 30 with stops in Winnipeg, Toronto, Kamloops and Saskatoon to name just a few.
Of the new song, Prescott says, “That song came from me wanting to get home to do dirty things with my baby. I am a fast driver, not going to lie, and one day I was in such a rush to get home to my man and there were all these slow drivers and I just kept thinking, ‘Do none of you need to get home to someone you love?’”
If the planets align, at that moment, those lucky enough to have seen Prescott performing in 2018 at the famed Grand Ole Opry with brother Kaylen and their parents — a.k.a. two-thirds of the trio Prescott-Brown, the sequel to the Family Brown, one of Canada’s most successful and longest-running country combos — will realize they witnessed history.
“Stepping into that circle where all my heroes have played and doing it with my family and my partner (guitarist-songwriter) Chad Murphy, was indescribable,” Prescott says from her Toronto home, adding that the Opry gig was at the invitation of Family Brown super-fan Terri Clark. “And now this tour with Dallas?” she adds. “I can’t wait to cross that one off the list.”
Yup, Prescott is skyrocketing in the tradition of her kin. Canadian Country Music Hall of Famers the Family Brown, featuring Prescott’s mom Tracey, aunt Lawanda, uncle Barry, and late maternal grandfather Joe Brown, holds the record for most CCMA awards won by any artist (a staggering 18) among countless other achievements.
Not to be outdone, musician dad Randall Prescott scored an unprecedented 10 consecutive wins for CCMA Country Music Producer of the Year, also earning a Grammy nod for his engineering work on Robbie Robertson’s 1998 album Contact from the Underworld of Redboy. Mom Tracey Brown, meanwhile, has been a chart staple (and multiple Juno Award nominee and winner) both solo and with her bands.
Impressive and inspiring for sure, yet Prescott’s music is her own. And the five tracks on Cloud 9, which run the gamut from “70s soul to modern country to a bit of pop,” represent a fraction of Prescott’s musical scope, which she has been developing, often in tandem with brother Kaylen Prescott, literally her entire life.
“My parents ran a very successful recording studio (Lakeside, in the Ottawa Valley). My playground was between it and a tour bus,” Prescott chuckles. “I always knew this was going to be the life I chose. I loved attention, having an audience, dressing up, singing for anyone who would listen. I begged my parents to let me be on stage which they did from the time I was four or five.”
Despite her intense drive — observe two previous solo EPs (2020’s Love Wins and 2016’s Hillbilly Jewels) plus a pair of albums with former band The Claytones (2013’s Reserva and 2012’s Lake in the Night) all cut in a decade — Prescott couldn’t outrun the pandemic, which forced her to slow down and regroup.
“Cloud 9 was escapism for me. I was feeling so down, as were many of my peers when we realized that we were the least essential workers on the planet,” she laughs. “We all kind of lost our identities overnight.''
“But even though I was down, I didn’t want to listen to sad songs. I wanted something that made me feel good. That’s where this EP came from, insisting that I feel good and dance around and see what cloud nine felt like. The song ‘Cloud 9’ started dark but ended up light.”
Indeed, even amid Cloud 9’s considerable sonic splendour, its title track is positively grandiose, opening with a suite of swirling strings and cotton-candy harmonies sailing steadily upwards towards a rousing climax framed by Prescott’s acrobatic voice. The song then dissolves like a rainbow.
The single to is an absolute scorcher. “That song came from me wanting to get home to do dirty things with my baby,” Prescott howls. “I am a fast driver, not going to lie, and one day I was in such a rush to get home to my man and there were all these slow drivers and I just kept thinking, ‘Do none of you need to get home to someone you love?’”
Prescott continues, “Most of these songs were written last September at Big Bear Lake in California with (acclaimed songwriters) Brandon Rogers and Jason Mater. At one point, Mater just started playing this moody little ‘do-do-do’ riff and right away, I knew we had a driving song that needed to be called ‘Convertible.’”
Another notable track on the new EP is the pleading, mandolin-goosed ballad “Common Ground” co-written with Nashville-based Sadie Campbell and Halifax’s Dave Sampson. “It’s a very personal song, about the impact of the last two years. That’s old-school Kelly,” Prescott says, “very rootsy.
“I just feel so lucky, especially having Dallas in my corner since 2019. He knew I was having a hard time finding a home for Love Wins. He just called me one day and said, ‘What do you need to make this EP happen.’ I honestly don’t know where I’d be right now without his involvement.''
“All my EPs have told the story of where I am in my life,” Prescott adds. “Love Wins was me coming out of a divorce and entering a new relationship. WithCloud 9, I’ve been in the same relationship for five years and I’m happier than I have ever been. And now I’m touring with the biggest country star in Canada. I mean, I really am living the dream.”
2022-05-25 - Canada Life Centre - Winnipeg, MB 2022-05-26 - Sasktel Centre - Saskatoon, SK 2022-05-27 - Brandt Centre - Regina, SK 2022-05-28 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB 2022-05-30 - Bonnett's Energy Centre - Grande Prairie, AB 2022-05-31 - CN Centre - Prince George, BC 2022-06-02 - Sandman Centre - Kamloops, BC 2022-06-03 South - Okanagan Event Centre - Penticton, BC 2022-06-04 - Abbotsford Entertainment Centre - Abbotsford, BC 2022-06-06 - Enmax Centre - Lethbridge, AB 2022-06-09 - Thunder Bay Community Auditorium - Thunder Bay, ON 2022-06-10 - Sudbury Arena - Sudbury, ON 2022-06-14 - Mary Brown's Centre - St. John's, NF 2022-06-16 - Centre 200 - Sydney, NS 2022-06-17 - TD Station - Saint John, NB 2022-06-18 - Community Credit Union Arena - Truro, NS 2022-06-22 - Meridian Centre - St. Catherines, ON 2022-06-23 - Start.ca Performance Stage at Budweiser Gardens - London, ON 2022-06-24 - The Aud - Kitchener, ON 2022-06-25 - Memorial Centre - Peterborough, ON 2022-06-27 - The Arena at TD Place - Ottawa, ON 2022-06-28 - Leon's Centre - Kingston, ON 2022-06-29 - Sarnia Sports & Entertainment Centre - Sarnia, ON 2022-06-30 - Budweiser Stage - Toronto, ON 2022-07-07 - Cavendish Beach Music Festival - Cavendish, PE (Not with Dallas Smith)
Emerson Drive’s astounding career, spanning over 20 years lands them at a place that few musical groups reach. Since bursting onto the scene in North America in 2001 when they released their debut single via DreamWorks Records Nashville, the band's first two singles – “I Should Be Sleeping” and "Fall Into Me" - both peaked in the Top 5 on the Billboard Country chart and quickly became fan favorites. The sextet crisscrossed North America for the next four years, playing over 300 shows a year and racking up Billboard Music Award & Academy of CountryMusic Association Award wins for Top New Country Artist & Top New Group, respectively.
But, it was the career-changing song "Moments" that gave the band their first Billboard #1 single in the US in June 2007. The group, which at the time, was comprised of members Brad Mates,Danick Dupelle, Mike Melancon, David Pichette, Dale Wallace & Patrick Bourque, was flying high on success when Bourque decided to step back from the group and leave the road. In September of 2007, Patrick Bourque passed away from suicide, and “Moments” took on a whole new meaning for the band.
“It’s still the song that connects with fans the most. The amount of letters, social media messages, and stories we have heard over the years around ‘Moments’ and how it has saved people’s lives or made a difference in their lives still is crazy to us”, says Dupelle. “That’s why we all do music. It’s to connect with the listeners and leave a mark.”
In 2011, ED released their first greatest hits package featuring ten of their hit singles – Decade of Drive – and have since gone on to achieve 12 more Top 10 singles in Canada, bringing their total to an astounding 22 Top 10 hits (so far). In 2013, they achieved their first gold single in Canada with “She’s My Kind of Crazy” which is still a fan favorite nearly eight years later. Pichette also stepped back from the band in 2013 to spend more time with his family, making ED a quartet with Mates, Dupelle, Melancon, and Wallace still active members.
Over the last five years, while they spend less time on the road, Emerson Drive remains a consistent force in the country music landscape.
Mates says, “We are at a place where we know what we want and have a balance between our personal lives and our life on the road. We get the best of both worlds. I don’t think you can ever expect in this industry that you get to have a two decade plus career. It says so much about our fans, radio support, and the ambition we still have to keep going as a group.”
As it was for many, 2020 was a year of transition and evaluating what 2021 would look like as Emerson Drive went into their 20th anniversary since the release of “I Should Be Sleeping”. 2020 saw the guys also hit milestones to be celebrated including their second gold record in Canada for “Just Got Paid” and “She’s My Kind of Crazy” which was officially certified platinum.
2021 delivered new music with ''Footprints on the Moon'' a song full of optimism that is sure to bring a breath of fresh air to the world at this moment! The positive dynamic kicks in the minute the song begins, reassuring us that there is still hope and many wonderful things to happen, so we keep optimistic. The chorus of this hook-laden song says it all. “Don’t tell me the sky’s the limit, when there’s footprints on the moon.”
Emerson Drive has just released their hot new single ''Every Girl That Got Away''. Just what we needed with this catchy new tune taking you down memory lane about regretting letting someone go that you wish you hadn't. You are going to love it. I had the catch-up with lead singer Brad Mates to talk about the brand new single, the group's incredible career, and how much the music industry has changed in the past two decades since they started their own journey. Brad shared some great stories that you don't want to miss! To hear my interview with Brad, listen HERE.
Emerson Drive is the fourth most played group on Canadian country radio in the last decade according to Nielsen BDS, which speaks volumes for the constant quality of their work!
With over 4000 shows played, millions of miles traveled, countless awards and nominations from the Academy of Country Music, Country Music Association, CMT, Dove Awards, GRAMMY Awards, JUNO Awards, Billboard, and the Canadian Country Music Association, Emerson Drive sets the stage for their 20th year of releasing music and seeing what the next ‘Decade Of Drive’ will bring for the group.
Rob Fitzgerald is a country singer/songwriter/artist blending the musical roots from many styles and influences.
Fresh from his Nashville recording sessions, the Canadian born country artist Rob Fitzgerald kicks into high gear with 3 new single releases scheduled for 2022. Just in time for summer, Rob’s 2nd release for 2022, ‘Good Ole Country Song’, is hot on the heels of his successful single ‘Another Town’ which played on country radio across the US and Canada as well as streaming services everywhere. Written by Rob Fitzgerald and recorded and produced in Nashville, ‘Good Ole Country Song’ features world-class musicians that bring this up tempo, toe tappin, hand clappin, get on the dance floor fun country song to life, breaking down our lives to just the simplicity of what we all really need…just a Good Ole Country Song. With a strong team from Grass Roots Promotions, the single makes its way to US country radio and streaming services everywhere on May 13th followed up with a Canadian release shortly after.
In the fall of 2021 Rob's single, 'Can I Get An Amen', found its way to country radio stations across Canada, numerous Spotify playlists, and also landed a top spot in the World Songwriting Awards competition. And for two years in a row, Rob's songs appeared before the judges of the International Songwriting Competition, where he earned a semi-finalist spot.
Continuing his forward momentum, as a member of the Nashville Songwriters Association, Rob has also had the opportunity to showcase his songwriting skills in Nashville, Tennessee at various songwriter round events including the Bluebird Café, and The Commodore Grille & The Local.
Rob's talents have enabled him to perform many shows at venues and festivals while also making multiple television show appearances. Rob has performed at the Burlington Ribfest and Sound of Music, Indie Week Festival, Canadian Music Week, The Horseshoe Tavern, El Mocambo, The Hard Rock Cafe, and a plethora of other Toronto venues/shows. Rob has appeared on the television show Canada Sings and The Shot.
Rob is partnered with AMG Publishing (Toronto), which has allowed his music to be distributed to 750,000 restaurants and bars across North America. In 2018, Rob also secured multiple sync licensing deals for TV with the Discovery Network, NASCAR Channel, and many other networks/TV shows.
With 3 new song releases, a tour, new music videos in the works, and international radio play, 2022 is looking to be a solid breakout year for this indie country recording artist.
''Cadence Grace is a gift from heaven with her voice and her craft as a songwriter,'' says Kim Cyr, Editor in Chief for NOW and THEN Magazine, radio host, and host of the International Music's Journey Show. ''Cadence has been a force in Canadian country music from the moment she hit the stage for the very first time. She has a true God-given voice that is so recognizable on country radio today. Cadence has been missed by us all here in the music industry. I had the chance to sit down and have a candid talk about her cancer diagnosis, her dreams in music that were abruptly put on hold, and the next chapter in her inspirational story. Cadence shares some pretty incredible stories about her music journey including writing her new single with her parents, ''Bruce and Cherly Wallace.''
Supportive of her career from the beginning, Grace thought writing with her parents would be fun, but she never expected it would spawn her first single back as a solo artist.
“I had recently started learning production and as soon as we finished writing it, I produced the demo and then took it to my producer Adam Newcomb, and we finished cutting it together. There was just something about it that re-lit that fire I’ve been missing. Until then, I honestly wasn’t sure if I was going to go back to music as an artist. But it just felt right. It was one of the first songs I’ve gotten to really be the driver on, and it ended up sounding exactly how I Imagined.''
With her second life in front of her and open-ended potential on the horizon, Cadence Grace - multi-faceted singer, songwriter, and a person who has bravely kicked cancer to the curb - is aggressively resuming her pursuit of her lifelong dream.
"I feel like I'm coming home to me - and this time, I'm ready."
To hear all the special stories, laughter and tears, and new music in this special interview with Cadence Grace, click HERE.
Cadence Grace is the REAL "comeback kid". Formerly the lead singer of country trio Runaway Angel, Grace spent six years building her music career when a surprise leukemia diagnosis shook her world and put her on the sidelines for nearly four years. After undergoing a life-saving stem-cell transplant leaving her literally and figuratively 're-born’, Grace is coming at her career with a whole new outlook and appreciation. "Don't" is just the beginning of a new chapter that she’s starting as a veteran in the business with an entire industry supporting her!
"Cancer showed me that I can do anything, even if it scares me to death. It made me want to take risks. I'm not second-guessing myself anymore... I know I can do this. I deserve to do this." ~Cadence Grace
With that mindset and a second chance at life, Cadence Grace is BACK!!!
"Don't" is a confident goodbye (with a touch of sass) to the past, and an ex that no longer has control.
This song is a stunning showcase of Cadence's unmistakable sound (crisp, clean and powerful vocals) paired with fantastic production making this a brilliant rebirth of Cadence's music career as a solo artist (formerly, the lead singer of Runaway Angel)!
For anyone unfamiliar with Cadence's unfathomably difficult journey over the past 4 years, you can read her blog here" Love and Leukemia
This is just the beginning of a whole new collection of songs from this inspiring artist, and we're here for it!
''Dustin Collins's new single "When She Had Georgia On Her Mind'' delivers that classic country sound of the '90s that we all know and love,'' says Kim Cyr, Editor in Chief for NOW and THEN Magazine, radio host, and host of the International Music's Journey Podcast. ''There is something really special with this song. The song was written by Bo Allen, Eldon Huff, and Larry Bastian, listeners can feel the heartache in the story and Collins vocals are perfect to tie the raw feeling you need to pull at the heartstrings for this song. The storyteller side of Dustin Collins is where he was born to be singing lines like 'I know this is now and that was then, but if I could do it all again, I'd go back to the time when she had Georgia on her mind.'"
"When She Had Georgia on Her Mind" is the second single from Collins' forthcoming album, Workin' Man. The title track, which was included in Entertainment Tonight's New Music Releases list, debuted as the lead single. Workin' Man was produced by industry veterans Buddy Cannon (Kenny Chesney, Willie Nelson, Reba McEntire) and Bill McDermott (Tim McGraw, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley).
Collins penned seven songs on the album, including 'Workin' Man." The album also features songs written by CMA winner Brett Eldredge, Larry McCoy (Thomas Rhett's "Make Me Wanna"), Sherrie Austin (Blake Shelton's “Startin’ Fires”), and Will Rambeaux (Faith Hill's "Wild One").
A portion of proceeds from "Workin' Man" and the full album will benefit GUMI (Glad You Made It) Camp USA. GUMI focuses on providing U.S. veterans with the tools they need to help them heal after deployment overseas and enable them to re-enter society. The camp is located on a 258-acre piece of property in southeast Taney County, Mo. Veterans may reside without cost to them and heal at their own pace.
Workin' Man follows Collins' latest album,It's Been Awhile, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Heatseekers South Central Albums chart. His independent single "Cold Dead Hands" ascended to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Singles Sales chart. The Georgia-born and Kentucky-raised entertainer also earned a slot on Aaron Watson's Vaquero Tour and has opened for Tanya Tucker, Shenandoah, Clay Walker, Chris Janson, Kane Brown, Granger Smith, and many more.
''It was an unprecedented reaction for us all here in the music industry and of a community who loved him. I was in shock to hear the news of James' passing. I had gotten to know James quite well over the years covering artists all over Canada and James was something special. The news hit hard. Another bright light was taken way too early. I had just spoken to James a few weeks before he died and he was so excited about the CD he had in the works with Jason Barry. I spoke to James several times throughout the years and he would often confide in me about his struggles and his frustrations in life with getting further ahead in his music. I don't think James really knew how gifted he was. I would often remind him that and that his time would come. I would tell him to keep writing songs for the love of writing and playing music because that is what he loved to do. He loved to perform. The moment James hit the stage, it was lights on and the camera was rolling. He knew how to entertain and the fans loved him. ''
''I shared a very candid interview with James' father Ken Cameron and his sister Britanie Hagen. Ken had shared with me that many families have come forward to share similar stories of loved ones they had lost to suicide.'' To hear my full interview, click HERE.
''Some are dealing with the crisis of a loved one who had tried to take their life and they are lost at how to help. We never got that chance with James. We never had the chance to talk to James and help him because he never told us. We knew James was two different people. He was one way on the stage and totally different off the stage. There was no note. I struggle with thinking over and over in my head, what did I miss. It was by sharing our story with others like our family who have lost someone to suicide that there are signs that you can watch for. Understanding and educating ourselves is key. Early signs to watch for. Communicate with your children now before it's too late,'' says Ken.
''I wish I knew what was bothering him inside because I would have told him how special he was,'' says Britanie. ''I didn't have an idea of what was happening with him outside of music. Being a new mom made it much more difficult for me to be around James than I was when we were playing music together. James would come over and talk about his music but then if we talked about anything else, he was short and very brief and left. I wish in hindsight that I had paid more attention to that. I had no idea that he was struggling like he was. I would have told him what a wonderful uncle he was. How proud I was of him and been there for him. I would have dug deeper.''
Suicide can carry with it a stigma. The question of ‘why’ someone took their life often may be difficult to answer. Feelings of guilt and shame are often associated with a loss from suicide. The Camerons shared their struggles and how hard it was to lose James to suicide in Jan 2020.
''It doesn't seem to get any easier even though it has been two and a half years later,'' says Ken Cameron. ''The struggle is real, it is learning different ways to cope with our family's loss. That is why we wanted to do this event. We wanted to give back and help other families who may have a loved one struggling with mental illness. If we can help save one life then that is what we have to do. We want to help others.''
''There wasn't a note left by James. It was just like a hammer coming down on us instantly. It's hard to put into words and it's real for us every day. It's not easier...we are so grateful for those organizations like The Waterloo Suicide Prevention Council for what they do. For how hard they work to help an individual in crisis, a family facing a loss like ours. That is why we are doing this concert and we want to help in any way we can.''
''Suicide is hard and this concert is a way of giving back to the community that gave so much to James. There are far too many people that suffer in silence not knowing where to turn. Often people don't know what they can say or do to help those that they may know who are suffering from mental illness.''
The Concert of Hope, Healing, and Education is a way you all can show your support. Come on out for a very special night of live music with The Bareback Riders, Fred Smith, and the JCB Alumni Band at The Ranchon Saturday, June 25th. Doors open at 730 pm and the live music will begin at 830 pm. This will be a live auction that night and there is currently an online/silent auction running until noon on June 26th. Come show your support and love for James, the BBR who have given fans so many memories of incredible live music throughout their career. It is so special that they have chosen this special show to honor James as they last show together. Come join the Camerons for a night shared in hope, healing, and education.''
To hear my special interview with The Camerons and some very special unreleased music by James Cameron, click on the link below.
Music's Journey Podcast INTERVIEW #169 Special Concert Event Presented by Red Pants Nation Honoring the Memory of Country Artist James Cameron on Jun 25th at The Stampede Ranch
The Camerons and The Stampede Ranch are holding the event on Saturday, June 25th with doors opening at 7:30 pm and the live music starting at 8:30 pm. They are also hosting a live auction that night and currently have an online/silent auction running until noon on June 26th. Proceeds from both the online auction and the concert will be going to the Waterloo Region Suicide Prevention Council.
This night is being held in memory of Country ArtistJames Cameron, who died by suicide in January 2020. He loved a great night out at The Stampede Ranch, giving back, and of course country music, so there wasn't a better place that was a more appropriate way to honor his memory than holding A Concert For Hope, Healing, and Education.
This is also a very special show as it will be the last for The Bareback Riders after an amazing career as a band. James had the pleasure of fronting The BBR for quite a few years and James' family is humbled that they've chosen this to be their final show at The Ranch.
The Waterloo Region Suicide Prevention Council is a community-based non-profit aiming to increase awareness of and engagement in suicide prevention within our community to ultimately reduce suicide and its impact. They do so through education, training, and community engagement initiatives utilizing suicide prevention and positive life promotion messaging.
Whether you know someone who is having a hard time, someone who has recently attempted suicide and survived, or someone who has lost a loved one to suicide, there are lots you can do to help.
By Showing Up And Reaching Out, You’re Taking A Big Step Towards Supporting Your Loved One.
It can be helpful to gain a basic understanding of suicide and suicide prevention, to break down any stigma, and dissolve any myths about suicide you may hold as beliefs.
For access to mental health, addictions, and crisis services in the Waterloo Region call Here 24/7at (844) 437-3247
There are a million tasks, big and small, that today’s independent and even label-signed artists need to take care of each week. It can feel like the hamster wheel never stops and you have to keep it going just to survive. So yeah, little wonder musicians are reporting alarming levels of anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. It’s long overdue that we start talking about and facing these issues head-on, and thankfully, there are things musicians can do for themselves and each other, along with resources and professionals being increasingly more available to help.
“The concept for “Stronger Than You Know” came from an epic winter storm that hit Koady’s house on the Eastern shore of Prince Edward Island. We wrote this song a few days later with Colin MacDonald (of The Trews) and talked about battening down the hatches when life throws a storm at you (Koady literally had to nail a 2x4 across his door). We were thinking about everyone around the world suddenly dealing with different situations during a pandemic, and the struggles of mental health,” said Jake Charron.
In January this year, the band suffered an unimaginable loss with the sudden passing of beloved band member Koady Chaisson. The new music has Koady’s musical footprint on it as the band was well into the new EP sessions just prior to his untimely death.
The new single is a real departure from the band's previous body of work and showcases their undeniable musical chops and reminds listeners that they are stronger than they think even when times get tough. Written by Tim Chaisson, Jake Charron, Koady Chaisson, and Colin MacDonald and produced by Derek Hoffman (Arkells, The Trews, Silverstein), the upbeat and decidedly folk/pop tune (with barely a fiddle in earshot!) is on track to reach a wider audience and add to the impressive 20 million career streams they have amassed to date.
“This was one of the first songs that we worked on during our lock-down writing sessions in Charlottetown, with Colin on Zoom from Toronto. We had some of the music worked out from our last tour in Australia and we're piecing together a few pieces. Koady’s tenor guitar riff right off the top, for example, was just waiting for the right song, and it all came together with our wizard of a producer Derek Hoffman”, continued Jake.
Since forming in 2014, the band has continued to be furiously energetic, musically complex, and technically brilliant and now a family grounding as the seventh generation of traditional Prince Edward Island and Ontario-based Celtic players and writers have effortlessly parlayed into the folk-pop arena.
Gaining international recognition as musical trailblazers, the band has continued to rise to success, after releasing their debut album Secret Victory in late 2015 and performing in Canada, the United States, and Australia. The band has also received achievements including a JUNO Award for Traditional Roots Album of the Year in 2017 for Secret Victory, the Canadian Folk Music Award for Ensemble of the Year at the 12th Canadian Folk Music Awards in 2016, and nominations for Instrumental Group of the Year and Canadian Folk Music Award as Ensemble of the Year again in 2018.
The multi-award-winning band is back on the road with new music (and a new sound) from their forthcoming EP, as well as a back catalog of the off-the-hook tunes and anthemic songs that have made them festival favourites over the years.
''It was an honor to host this special interview with Tim Chaisson honoring his cousin and bandmate Koady Chaisson,'' says Kim Cyr, Editor in Chief of NOW and THEN Magazine, radio host, and host of the International Music's Journey Podcast. ''We chatted about the loss of Koady and the impact it has had on the family, band, and fans around the world. Tim shares stories about Koady and his love of music, life after losing someone so close, and the new music to honor Koady's memory.'' To hear my special interview, click on the link below.
In addition to his music career, Josh Bogert is an established actor who is known for his lead role as Miles Lennox in the Disney/Netflix/Family Channel original series Backstage, Josh has released his catchy new single “Dreams” on June 17 via all streaming platforms.
At 21-years-old, Josh is an accomplished, independent singer-songwriter, producer, engineer, and actor who has already garnered an impressive 7.7 million career streams to date and over 1 million views on YouTube.
“Dreams”, written and produced by Josh, is a fun pop track with a chorus that makes you want to get up and dance despite the yearning and nostalgia that comes through in Josh’s lyricism.
Born and raised in Vancouver, BC, Josh’s formal music education started at four years old with classical violin lessons. This quickly expanded to a love of singing and playing guitar, saxophone, drums, and piano, as well as a natural talent for DJing, songwriting, and music production. Josh has performed at some of Canada’s most iconic venues, including Toronto’s Budweiser Stage, the Scotiabank Center in Halifax, and Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton.
Josh Bogert has also just released a dreamy new video for his track “Dreams”.
Shot by Mark Gustov of Creation Station in Tofino, BC, the music video for “Dreams” provides a unique perspective on the upbeat song through dreamy visuals and subtle storytelling. You definitely enter a beautiful dream world and experience stunning views of the North American coastline as Bogert attempts to connect with a lost love.
“I had the most fun I’ve ever had shooting a music video with Dreams,” says Bogert. “It was basically a road trip to Tofino with my best friends, running around the beaches, and jumping in the ocean at freezing temperatures! It’s an experience I’ll never forget, especially because I have an incredible video to remember it by.”
''I had the chance to catch up with this talented singer/songwriter/producerJosh Bogert and he shared stories about the two loves in his life, music, and acting,'' says Kim Cyr, Editor in Chief for NOW and THEN Magazine, radio host, and host of the International Music's Journey Podcast. To check out my interview and learn some fun facts about Josh, click on the link below.
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