2024 LINEUP
FRIDAY JULY 19
Julian Austin was born in Sussex, NB and was raised in the Grand Bay/Saint John, NB area.
In 1996 Julian signed a major record deal with BMG Music Canada. Soon after, Julian teamed up with friend and accomplished producer and writer, Daniel Leblanc, (Alanis Morissette, Dean McTaggart) to record what has become Julian’s best selling CD to date “What My Heart Already Knows”. Soon after the 1997 debut release of this CD it earned Julian a certified CRIA gold record (50k+ sales) and the 1997 Wrangler Rising Star Award from the Canadian Country Music Association. His first single “Little Ol’ Kisses” went #1 on radio and also made the CMT Top 30 Videos of 1997. OFFICIAL WEBSITE
RIK REESE BAND
As the saying goes: "Where there's smoke, there's fire." Well, where there's Rik Reese; there's a guaranteed country rock party. Having performed across Canada, parts of Europe and into USA, Rik Reese and his band deliver a guaranteed good time. His music airs internationally, on all streaming platforms, and is a mix of distorted rock guitars and throwback country. With the record for the most consecutive years performed at the Cavendish Beach Music Fest(PEI), a repeat performer at Big Valley Jamboree(Alberta), and numerous Canadian festivals, multiple award nominations and opened for the likes of Toby Keith, Eric Church, Big & Rich, Ricky Skaggs, The Kentucky Headhunters & Nazareth to name a few--get ready for loud country rock with the Rik Reese Band. OFFICIAL WEBSITE
IVAN DAIGLE
Ivan was runner-up in Canada's Got Talent Contest in 2012. He was the only representative of country music to make it to the finals. Since the contest, he received several high profile bookings such as the Cavendish Beach festival in PEI. He is one of Canada's stellar country artists. He has a strong work etic and a genuine desire to entertain that spans generations with ease and leaves fans wanting more.
DARREN MCGINNIS
Darren McGinnis (born in Sussex, New Brunswick is a Canadian country music singer. He debuted in 2009 with the single "More Than Me". It was nominated at the 2010 Canadian Radio Music Awards for Country Song of the Year.
McGinnis' debut album, What's Your Story, was released on March 3, 2009, by AIM Music and distributed by Fontana North. It received three and a half stars from Bruce Leperre of the Winnipeg Free Press, who wrote that "McGinnis's strong writing and great vocals combine with Jason Barry's exquisite production to deliver an album that combines contemporary country with a rootsy feel." Leperre said that McGinnis "understands the importance of a good song" and compared him favorably to Keith Urban and Dierks Bentley, writing that his album "stands tall and proud right alongside either of those artists' offerings as well as anyone else making country music today."
McGinnis was one of eight artists selected to perform at the New Artist Showcase at the 2009 Canadian Country Music Association Awards. What's Your Story was nominated for a CCMA Award for Album Design of the Year, and his producer, Jason Barry, was nominated for Record Producer of the Year for his production on the album.
SATURDAY JULY 20
Tim Hicks continues to lead the way with his sure-footed everyman approach - expanding the song writing and style that has helped define today’s country music. Delivering track after track with unparalleled quality and consistency, Hicks’ ascent as an elite chart-topping act since making his country label debut in 2013 is undeniable. His vast catalogue of highly praised releases including Throw Down, 5:01, 5:01+, Shake These Walls, New Tattoo, Wreck This and Campfire Troubadour has earned the five-time JUNO Award nominee and CCMA Award winner a DOUBLE PLATINUM selling single, four PLATINUM selling singles, seven GOLD singles, one GOLD album and seventeen Top 10 radio hits (including the #1 singles “No Truck Song” and “What A Song Should Do”), in addition to over 140 million collective streams, multiple sold-out headlining dates and back-to-back national tours.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE
Hailing from Fox Island River, Newfoundland (pop.of 200), Jason Benoit's thriving music career has never been hindered by where he chooses to live. A 2023 Canadian Country Music Association “Alternative Country Album of the Year” Nominee, a previous CCMA ECMA and MusicNL Award winner with multiple past nominations, 4 Top 30 hits, including his self-penned GOLD certified Top 10 single ‘Gone Long Gone’, and with over 12 million global streams to date, Benoit has become a trailblazer for small town, indigenous, and independent artists in Canada today. OFFICIAL WEBSITE
MELISSA MARSHALL
Country Power Pop artist Melissa Marshall is a Music NB award nominee, recognized for her previous debut singles charting in the top-100 on the Canadian Country Billboard charts.
In Melissa Marshall's latest single "Seasons of Us" she captures the magic of a summertime love that keeps the fire burning through autumn, winter and spring. Melissa's powerful vocals and elegant melodies are coupled with a smooth blend of 2000's country with an electric pop rock flare.
Melissa has recently opened for top Canadian acts including Aaron Goodvin and Tenille Townes. Melissa is currently campaigning her EP album 'Phoenix In the Fire', made up of songs about love, self discovery and strength; resonating with her listeners on a whole new level.
JOSH NORRAD
Josh Norrad is a country/rock performer from Upper Miramichi, New Brunswick, Canada. His single "TO THE WIND" features country star Dean Brody's award-winning band, and debuted at #11 on the iTunes country charts on the day of its release. Josh's latest singles "Boondocks" and "Fast Cars & Memories" have solidified his place as one of the most listened-to Country artists in Eastern Canada!
Most recently, Josh has been making a name for himself nationally with his music being played on Country Radio nationwide. Josh followed up his radio success with multiple Canadian tours in the past 2 years. One of the highlights of these tours was his opportunity to perform alongside the HUNTER BROTHERS in Manitoba this past summer to rave reviews!
Josh is a seasoned performer, known for his explosive performance, unique energy, and ability to connect with his audience. Whether it is a crowd of 50 people or an audience of thousands, Josh repeatedly demonstrates his ability to engage his listeners.
SHANE DOUTHWRIGHT
Shane Douthwright has a rich baritone voice that was created to sing country music. Shane will use his unique country, bluegrass and light acoustic style to provide a fresh take on many popular covers in a variety of genres. Shane will proudly present his original music with stories and heartfelt lyrics that will win over his audience.
Treasured accomplishments include opening for country stars Lorrie Morgan and Sammy Kershaw as well as Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder. A duo recording with his father gained The Douthwrights recognition with an ECMA nomination for bluegrass album of the year. Shane has performed at the largest bluegrass festivals in Canada and has received multiple awards for Male Vocalist of the Year.
DARCY MAZEROLLE
When he was 17, he was asked to open for award winning Jason McCoy for a show in his hometown Miramichi. Fan reaction to his showcase was very positive and Darcy was overcome with the response and this gave him confidence to carry on. Seven years later, Jason McCoy after he just won the CCMA Male Artist of the Year Award, teamed up again with Darcy and both toured New Brunswick in 2004.
Darcy was nominated for 2 ECMA Awards, in Charlottetown in 2006 for Rising Star and Country Recording of the Year.
Darcy was nominated on the strength of his new debut CD in 2005 entitled COWBOY ENOUGH FOR ME. The first single entitled, Back To The River has been highly accepted on Canadian Country Radio, and reached high place standings on Canadian music charts.