Keepin' it Country Media & Radio » Paul Brandt

REVIEW: Farm Aid Ottawa

Tia — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 14:38:30 +0000

The weather may have been cool but the music was most definitely hot. Yesterday, (09/16) a crowd of a few thousand gathered at Ottawa Stadium for a great cause, as well as great music.

Farm Aid Ottawa, put on by DNA Presents, featured performances by great Canadian country talent to raise money that would go directly to farmers to assist them with inflated feed prices and buying seeds for next year’s crop.

Early in the afternoon, Jordan McIntosh, Gail Gavan and Ambush took to the stage to perform a few of their songs. Shortly after, Jason Blaine‘s presence became well known as several female fans spotted him beside the stage asking for pictures. A group of girls immediately assembled to wait for pictures with the country star who took the time to talk to and take pictures with each one of them.

Jason, who won Single of the Year for his song “They Don’t Make ‘Em Like That Anymore” just last week at the CCMA awards, performed several of his hits, including this latest one. Songs like “Run With Me”, “Good Day to Get Gone” and “Flirtin’ With Me” were just some of the songs Jason entertained the upbeat crowd with. The artist spoke positively of the area and being from Pembroke, just a short drive from Ottawa. While talking to the crowd on stage, Jason spontaneously decided to give all of the proceeds of his album “Life So Far” sold at the event to the farmers, which got a great reaction from the audience.

Next to take the stage was Michelle Wright, one of the Canada’s most famous female singers from the 90s. The Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame inductee danced around on stage, obviously enjoying performing to her fans, as well as the great cause at hand. Michelle spoke about being a farmer’s daughter and thus wanting to raise awareness about the issues farmers are facing. The cheerful singer performed several of her number one hits, including “Take It Like a Man”, “Nobody’s Girl”, as well as her crowd-pleasing song “The Answer Is Yes”. Michelle slowed things down with her song “Your Love”, which showcased the apparent beauty of her voice. Her performance was highly entertaining due to the combination of her raw vocal talent and great stage presence.

Emerson Drive came onto the stage to a very eager and excited crowd as the sun started to set. But nobody looked as excited to be there as the band’s lead singer Brad Mates, who danced around the stage with such intensity and enthusiasm. The band, originally from Alberta, performed a set that featured many hits and every possible song an Emerson Drive fan would want to hear. From some of their older songs, such as “Fall Into Me”, “I Should Be Sleeping” and “If You Were My Girl” to some of their newer ones, like “That Kind of Beautiful”, “I Love This Road” and their latest single “My Kind of Crazy”, the boys definitely did not disappoint. Brad, backed by the band, showed a softer side when the set slowed down to feature “When I See You Again” and “Moments”, two songs that resonate personally with the band and the fans. Their repertoire of songs indicated just the level of success and talent the band has had in their almost two-decades together. Emerson Drive most definitely put on a show that gave the fans everything they could have wanted and more.

Last but not least, Paul Brandt, the most anticipated performer of the night, was welcomed onto the stage by several screaming fans. The multiple Juno and CCMA award winner came out donning his cowboy hat with his guitar slung around his neck. The fans, who were quick to sing along to the music, enjoyed performances of songs such as “Rich Man” and “When You Call My Name”. Paul, who has been recognized as the artist with the most country awards in Canada, did not disappoint due to his great vocals and charismatic demeanour.

In sum, Farm Aid Ottawa was an event that should have brought out more fans than it did – if not for the great talent, but for the even greater cause. But to enjoy some of the best Canadian country music in our own backyard – hey, it couldn’t get much better than that.

Recap of the Canadian Country Music Association Awards

Tia — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 02:59:46 +0000

The Canadian Country Music Association Awards was definitely enough to remind Canadians of the amazing talent that represents us in the country music industry. Tonight (09/09), we saw some of the best of the best rock the stage in Saskatoon and accept awards that they were most deserving of.

Dean Brody opened the show with his hit “Canadian Girls,” kicking off a show that would see him win two awards: Best Male Artist and Album of the Year.

Other country faves taking home hardware at this year’s show included Carolyn Dawn Johnson, who won Female Artist of the Year and Hey Romeo, this year’s Group or Duo of the Year. Ottawa’s sweetest and brightest new talent, Kira Isabella, took home the Rising Star award. The Stellas, who have been out on the road with Johnny Reid, took home the award for CMT Video of the Year for their song “In This House.” Johnny, who had a whopping eight nominations tonight, was the recipient of the Fans’ Choice award.

This was the fourth year Reid has taken home the acclaimed Fans’ Choice Award:

“This has been a wonderful year. I have had an opportunity to cross this beautiful country and sing for so many people,” the Scottish-born Nova Scotia-based singer said . “Too many people to thank, but Saskatoon you have always had a special place in my heart. Thank you very much for this honour.”

The stage welcomed countless great performances, including Paul Brandt and a collaboration between Emerson Drive and Doc Walker. American faves, including Pistol Annies, Eric Church, and Jason Aldean made their way up north to rock the stage in addition to a solo performance by Miranda Lambert.

Also of note, the very lovely Taylor Swift made an appearance to both present an award and accept one herself. Taylor was the recipient of the New Generation award, which was introduced by Deric Rutan and Bryan Adams:

“I’m so happy to be in Saskatoon right now I can’t even tell you,” she said. “To country radio in Canada and the country music fans in Canada, you guys are the ones who choose to play my songs, you guys are the ones who choose to buy the albums and sell out the concerts and you’re the ones who make me so at home, I can’t wait to come back and see you every single time.”

Check out our recap of tonight’s winners:

Fans’ Choice Award
Johnny Reid

Single of the Year
They Don’t Make Em’ Like That Anymore – Jason Blaine

Album of the Year
DIRT – Dean Brody

Songwriter(s) of the Year
Is It Friday Yet? (written by Gord Bamford/Roger Brown/Byron Hill; performed by Gord Bamford)

CMT Video of the Year
In This House – The Stellas

Female Artist of the Year
Carolyn Dawn Johnson

Male Artist of the Year
Dean Brody

Group or Duo of the Year
Hey Romeo

Roots Artist or Group of the Year
Jimmy Rankin

Rising Star
Kira Isabella

Top Selling Canadian Album of the Year
Fire It Up – Johnny Reid

Top Selling International Album of the Year
Own The Night – Lady Antebellum

Image credit (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam Richards)

CCMA Nominees Announced

Tia — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 01:25:28 +0000

Canadians can’t wait for the nation’s biggest night in country music! The countdown has begun for the Canadian Country Music Association Awards which will be held in Saskatoon, SK on September 9 at 8PM. Fans can tune in to CBC to catch the awards as they air LIVE.

“All of today’s nominees deserve ample recognition for their excellence as well as their tremendous contribution to Canadian country music,” said Don Green, Executive Director, CCMA. “This year’s nominees reflect the depth of musical talent in Canada, and we’re so proud to be able to recognize those artists – both established and emerging – who have impacted Canadians with their music.”

A personal fave, Johnny Reid, leads the nominations with a total of eight. Country cutie Dean Brody follows close behind with seven of his own.

Performers expected to light up the stage at the Awards include Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Pistol Annies, Eric Church, Paul Brandt, Dean Brody, George Canyon, Johnny Reid, Deric Ruttan, Gord Bamford, Terri Clark, Chad Brownlee and High Valley.

Check out the list of nominees below!

FANS’ CHOICE AWARD
Gord Bamford
Dean Brody
Terri Clark
Hey Romeo
Johnny Reid

SINGLE OF THE YEAR

Canadian Girls – Dean Brody
Fire It Up – Johnny Reid
Is It Friday Yet? – Gord Bamford
Somebody Somewhere – Dallas Smith
They Don’t Make Em’ Like That Anymore – Jason Blaine

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
16 & 1 – Doc Walker
DIRT – Dean Brody
Fire It Up – Johnny Reid
Give It Away – Paul Brandt
Roots And Wings – Terri Clark

SONGWRITER(S) OF THE YEAR
Canadian Girls (written by Dean Brody; performed by Dean Brody)
Fire It Up (written by Marty Dodson/Alan Frew/Johnny Reid; performed by Johnny Reid)
Is It Friday Yet? (written by Gord Bamford/Roger Brown/Byron Hill; performed by Gord Bamford)
Mainstreet, 1979 (written by Deric Ruttan; performed by Deric Ruttan)
They Don’t Make Em’ Like That Anymore (written by Jason Blaine/Deric Ruttan; performed by Jason Blaine

CMT VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Canadian Girls – Dean Brody
Fire It Up – Johnny Reid
Give It Away – Paul Brandt
I’m Your Man – Ryan Laird
In This House – The Stellas

FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Victoria Banks
Terri Clark
Carolyn Dawn Johnson
Tara Oram
Michelle Wright

MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Gord Bamford
Jason Blaine
Dean Brody
Chad Brownlee
Johnny Reid

GROUP OR DUO OF THE YEAR
Doc Walker
Emerson Drive
Hey Romeo
High Valley
The Stellas

ROOTS ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
Ridley Bent
Shane Chisholm
Sean Hogan
Corb Lund
Jimmy Rankin

RISING STAR
Kira Isabella
Ryan Laird
Codie Prevost
Dallas Smith
The Stellas

Tickets for the show are available through Ticketmaster.

Keith Urban Presents Tommy Emmanuel With CMA Award

Lydia Picknell — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 15:28:12 +0000

Australian country music artist Tommy Emmanuel was presented with the 2011 CMA Global Country Artist Award by Keith Urban on Monday. The ceremony was part of the CMA Music Festival celebration in Nashville this week.

Emmanuel was in the middle of an acoustic set on the Chevrolet Presents The CMA Global Artist Party At The Stage in Nashville, when Urban surprised him on-stage for the presentation. He was recognized for his achievement in furthering country music’s popularity in a country outside the United States.

Previous winners of the CMA Global Country Artist Award include Paul Brandt (Canada), Troy Cassar-Daley (Australia), Lee Kernaghan (Australia), and Jason McCoy (Canada).

CMA Music Festival takes place in downtown Nashville from June 9th to June 11th. Follow us on Twitter for the latest pictures on the ground from the fanclub parties, LP Field, and to stay updated on the daily agenda for country fans.