Never before has there been as much live musical entertainment set to hit various stages at the Westerner Days Fair & Exposition, which runs July 20-24 at Westerner Park.
“The Molson Canadian Ranch will become a real party zone,” explained John Harms, CEO of Westerner Park, of one of the newly formed music venues. “We’ve been able to increase the amount of live entertainment at our event by about three times.”
Stars including former Hootie and the Blowfish frontman Darius Rucker and country crooner Johnny Reid and are among the singers slated to perform in the Centrium. Rucker performs July 20 and Reid on July 23. Tickets for both artists are available by calling Ticketmaster at 403-340-4455 or by visiting www.ticketmaster.ca.
Rucker has ‘gone country’ and is currently showcasing his latest disc Charleston SC 1966. His debut Learn to Live exposed his leanings to country music, and it’s been a successful journey since.
Reid returns to Westerner Days on the heels of his latest release A Place Called Love. This past year, he won multiple awards including a Juno for Country Album of the Year and four CCMA Awards for his CD Dance With Me.
Others appearing at the Centrium through Westerner Days include April Wine on July 21. In March of 2009, the band was inducted into the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame during Canadian Music Week in Toronto. This is a free concert with gate admission.
Rounding out the Centrium shows are These Kids Wear Crowns and Stereos, both appearing July 22.
A number of artists are also scheduled for the Molson Canadian Ranch stage, where entry is free with gate admission.
Dean Brody performs July 20. The year 2009 was a breakout year for Brody who released his self-titled CD and saw three singles crack the top 10.
He also took home his first CCMA Award when his single Brothers was named Single of the Year by the Canadian Country Music Association.
His 2010 release Trail in Life has yielded the hits Wildflower, Roll That Barrel Out and People Know You By Your First Name.
Aaron Lines, who has landed 13 top 10 singles to date, performs July 21 and High Valley hits the stage July 22. Chad Brownlee plays July 23. Finally, Shane Chisholm performs daily.
Another Westerner Days feature is the ACMA Showcase Overview.
The Association of Country Music in Alberta (ACMA) and Westerner Park have partnered to provide some of Alberta’s aspiring country musicians with the opportunity to play at the Mol¬son Canadian Ranch at this year’s fair.
Ty Hart & Wyld Ryde hit the stage July 20 and Six West performs July 22. Last year proved to be an amazing year for Six West, garnering a Western Canadian Music Award nomination for Country Recording of the Year as well as being one of eight artists chosen to perform at the CCMA New Artist Showcase in Edmonton.
The Orchard performs July 21 and Domino performs July 23.
The Boom Chucka Boys perform July 23 and Alee on July 24. Alee has been a finalist in songwriter competitions including 2009 and 2010 Calgary Folk Festival and south to Nashville as a multiple award-winner at a North American International Country Music showcase.
For more about the entertainment line-up at this year’s Westerner Days, check out www.westernerdays.ca or call 403-343-7800.
mweber@reddeerexpress.com
