Gord Bamford

Australian-born and Alberta-raised singer/songwriter Gord Bamford continues his quest as one of Canada’s leading country artists. The 16-time CCMA award winner recently had his 6th studio-album ‘Country Junkie’ nominated for a Juno in March, 2014. Last fall, Bamford received five of seven CCMA awards for CMT Video of the Year, Single of the Year, Album of the Year (presented by Wal-Mart), Songwriter of the Year, and Record Producer(s) of the Year (For The Boom Chucka Boys – The Boom Chucka Boys). However, his philanthropic efforts are just as important as his music career. Bamford has proven his fundraising prowess when he established the Gord Bamford Charitable Foundation in 2008, generating nearly $1.5 million since that time. And in the last six months alone, Bamford has worked to support children’s charities all across Canada. Through his Foundation, Bamford gave $10,000 to 10 different children’s hospitals from coast-to-coast, and pledged another $100,000 to MusiCounts programs over the next three years. Says Allan Reid, President & CEO, CARAS/The JUNO Awards & MusiCounts “This is the largest contribution we have ever received from an artist.” Bamford says: “It’s something that I’m very proud of, and it’s something that I will continue as long as I can do it. As long as my music takes me down this path that continues to raises monies for great causes, I’ll be the first guy at the plate.”

Trooper

It goes like this: millions of records, a couple dozen hits, a Juno Award (Canada’s Grammy) for Band of the Year and ongoing sold-out shows across Canada. From the songs “We’re Here for a Good Time (Not a Long Time)”, to “Raise a Little Hell”, Universal Music acknowledges Trooper as “one of Canada’s top five selling bands of all time.” In 2009, Peter Assaff of The Northern Light hailed Trooper’s Ra McGuire and Brian Smith as “the Canadian version of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards” and Joel Rubinoff of The Record wrote, ” … this frolicking, rollicking showcase for McGuire’s soaring pop melodies and whimsical wordplay is arguably one of the biggest Canadian bands of all time.” Trooper’s 10 studio albums have earned multiple gold and platinum awards and their 6 X Platinum greatest hits, Hot Shots, continues to be one of Universal Music Canada’s best-selling catalog CDs and one of the country’s most enduring party soundtracks. In celebration of the band’s 35th anniversary, a totally updated and re-mastered collection – “Hits From 10 Albums” – was released, featuring songs spanning the entirety of their recording career. John Kereiff, writing in Gonzo Magazine, dubbed the collection “THE summer album of 2010.” Trooper continues to perform their huge collection of hits with the vitality and sense of humor that has served them well on their steady march through the hills and valleys of Canadian Rock and Roll.

Cowboy Troy

Cowboy Troy rapped his way into the country mainstream on the first cut of Big & Rich’s 2004 debut Horse Of A Different Color. And while his admonition to “let go of all your preconceived notions” certainly wasn’t the first time elements of rap had been incorporated into country, it was the boldest statement yet.  Troy spent his childhood in Ft. Worth, where his dad took him to rodeos and stock shows. “We’d listen to Willie Nelson, Jerry Reed, Charlie Daniels, Kenny Rogers, and other artists who were getting airplay on the adult contemporary stations at that time,” Troy says. “I didn’t realize it was country music, I just knew it was what my parents listened to before they went to work in the morning.” Troy spent his high school years in Dallas and collegiate years in Austin, Texas at the University of Texas.  Troy knows he’s challenging conventional thinking about what country music is, but expects that his music will find its place. The way Troy sees it, “innovation is a tradition, not a trend or secondary option…authenticity comes in the commitment.” Troy calls Warner Music Nashville his recording home. His latest installment of music, “King of Clubs”, released March 2014.

Byron Hill

Byron’s songs have been released on seventy-seven RIAA certified Gold and Platinum albums and singles, earning ten ASCAP awards, thirty-two U.S. and Canadian top-ten chart hits, and numerous hits in other worldwide markets. His songs have been recorded by a list of artists that includes Ray Charles, Alabama, George Strait, Kenny Rogers, Don Williams, John Michael Montgomery, Anne Murray, Juice Newton, Joe Nichols, Randy Travis, Keith Whitley, Gary Allan, Rhonda Vincent, Johnny Lee, Blackhawk, Tracy Byrd, Neal McCoy, Doc & Merle Watson, Trace Adkins, Asleep At The Wheel, Dionne Warwick, George Jones, Toby Keith, Gene Watson, Porter Wagoner, Reba McEntire, Sammy Kershaw, Ed Bruce, Gord Bamford, Joe Diffie, Brooks & Dunn, Hank Thompson, Mila Mason, The Road Hammers, Bill Medley, Conway Twitty, Jeff Bates, Highway 101, Barbara Mandrell, Mel McDaniel, Rhett Akins, The Oak Ridge Boys, The Whites, Ricky Van Shelton, Mike Dekle, Rockie Lynne, The Seekers, Hey Romeo, Colt Ford, Mo Pitney, and many others. His songs have been recorded throughout the world, and released by artists in England, Ireland, Scotland, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Holland, Canada, Australia, and South Africa. In Canada, Byron was awarded CCMA Songwriter Of The Year in 2012, and CCMA Producer Of The Year award in 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2013, for his work with Canadian Country artist Gord Bamford.

Beverley Mahood

A successful singer, songwriter, actress, model, and television host, Beverley Mahood is truly a dynamic entertainer. She returns to radio/video, in May-2013 with “Hope and Gasoline”, her first single in four years. Though in many respects a seasoned veteran of the entertainment industry, Mahood’s career is set for a new beginning.  Her past includes several albums, Girl Out of the Ordinary (1998), Moody Blue (2004), Unmistakable (2009) and a partnership with David Foster on the female trio, Lace (1999), each album as diverse and acclaimed as the entertainer herself. Beverley’s audience broadened in 2004 when she began hosting TV shows, the latest being the runaway hit Pick A Puppy, a family-oriented series in its third season on CMT, YTV and The W Network. Add this, to a lead role in the 2013 TV-movie, Changing Seasons; songwriting credits which include Celine Dion; a performance schedule that has included exclusive performance for the G8 World Leaders, CDN Troops, The Royal Couple; a commitment to community that rivals her passion for entertaining, and the unique character of Beverley and her career shines through. Beverley now resides full time in Nashville, Tennessee, and is putting the final touches on her next album “Hope and Gasoline”, set for release this fall; her latest single is ‘Sunday I’m An Angel’. She will also be honoured with the 2014 Canadian Country Music Association’s Slaight Humanitarian award in September.

Phil O’Donnell

Canadian native Phil O’Donnell made his first trip to Nashville in 1983 and began developing his skills as a songwriter. Officially making the move in 1994, O’Donnell has also worked as a musician, playing guitar with many artists including Craig Morgan, Johnny Lee, and Sherrie Austin. O’Donnell’s songwriting credits include George Strait’s 60th #1 single “Give It All We Got Tonight”, Montgomery Gentry’s “Back When I Knew It All” and Clay Walker’s “She Won’t Be Lonely Long”. His songs have been cut by the biggest names in Nashville. In addition to having a successful career as a songwriter, O’Donnell also has served as producer for artists such as Craig Morgan, Josh Thompson, Keith Anderson, Matt Mason ,Justin McBride ,Chris Janson, Mark Wills, Tara Oram, Jason Blaine, High Valley, Steve Richard, Davisson Bros.Band. Among his many production credits is the six-week #1 country hit, “That’s What I Love About Sunday” (Craig Morgan), which was the most played country song of 2005. Phil is currently producing a studio album on Joe Diffie.

Buddy Owens

Buddy Owens is an award winning American country music singer, songwriter, and painter, signed to Sony Canada and Cache Entertainment. He was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and raised in Owasso, Oklahoma. There in the heart of the country, his love for music was kindled.

After being offered track scholarships to various universities, Owens decided instead to follow his dream to play music in Nashville. Eventually, he caught the ear of renowned producer Phil O’Donnell, who signed him to a publishing deal at Anchor Down. Since his move to Nashville, he has worked with a plethora of other noteworthy Nashville songwriters including: Shane McAnally, Eric Paslay, Monty Holmes, Sunny Sweeney, Kiefer Thompson (of Thompson Square), Mark D. Sanders, Phillip White, Larry Gatlin, Kerry Kurt Phillips, and more.

In 2011, Blake Shelton released his platinum selling and Grammy nominated album, “Red River Blue,” on which the title track was co-written by Owens. He is also known for penning Craig Morgan’s “Nothin’ Goin’ Wrong ‘Round Here,” Sunny Sweeney’s “One More Christmas Beer,” Gord Bamford’s “Unreal,” “Where A Farm Used To Be” and “Leanin’ On A Lonesome Song,” as well as others. The latter reached No. 1 on the Canadian Country Charts, and also on European charts.  In 2013 “Leanin’ On A Lonesome Song” won Single of the Year and Video of the Year at the Canadian Country Music Awards.  There, Owens, Bamford, and Stephenson also took home the award for Songwriter of the Year.

On top of his musical talent, Owens is also a gifted painter. Around 2000, Owens took a painting class from fellow songwriter and painter, Ray Stephenson. Since that time, Buddy has painted and sold commissioned work for art lovers all over the world.

Jason Blaine

2012 was a banner year for Jason Blaine, earning CCMA nominations for Male Artist, Single of the Year, Songwriter, & Producer, and turning out 3 Top 10 singles, including “On A Night Like This, “Cool” and CCMA Single of the Year “They Don’t Make ‘Em Like That Anymore” for which the touching video also reached the #1 spot on CMT Canada.

2014 has been a busy year as well with the kick off of Jason’s own charitable foundation. The inaugural event featured a celebrity golf tournament as well as concert performances by Kira Isabella, Gord Bamford and The Western Swing Authority.

Jason recently topped the charts at Canadian Country radio with his hit single Friends of Mine, featuring pals Deric Ruttan, Jason McCoy, Chad Brownlee and the pride of Lacombe Alberta, Gord Bamford. Originally from Pembroke ON Jason now makes his home in Nashville, TN, with his wife Amy and three children Grace, Carter and Sarah.

Aaron Pritchett

After spending over a decade at the forefront of the Canadian country music scene, Aaron Pritchett is just as driven, and still just as excited for the future as he was when he was just starting out.  With a brand new project in the works and his most recent single, “Suntan City”, climbing the charts, Pritchett has a lot to be excited about. With one of the most high energy and dynamic live shows in the business, Aaron continues to wow how his audiences all across the country.  His fans describe him as humble, thoughtful and one of the nicest guys around and Aaron thanks them all personally via social media for their support.  “I love being able to have that one on one connection with my fans,” says Pritchett.  “I can’t say enough how fortunate and honored I am to be a part of country music in Canada.”

Duane Steele

A mainstay on Canada’s country charts since 1993, Hines Creek, AB native, Duane Steele is a self-assured, engaging performer, connecting one-on-one with his audience both on a record and on stage. He continues to grace the country music scene with his traditional country style and undeniable singing and songwriting talent. While working in Nashville as a staff songwriter for Warner Chapel, Duane was able to work alongside the most talent songwriters in North America. Other artists who have recorded Duane’s songs include, Sammy Kershaw, Gord Bamford, Tenielle, Brett Kissel, and Jamie Warren. Duane is about to release a new acoustic CD called “Dirt And Dreams”.

Tera Lee

The alarm goes off at 4 a.m., she springs out of bed, has a bowl of oatmeal and heads into downtown Red Deer from Blackfalds.  Cracks a couple of jokes, shares important local information and does her best to keep the boys in line and on time.  All in a day’s work for KG Country’s morning maven Tera Lee.  Before the glamorous days of radio, Tera Lee was a full time singer/songwriter who performed right across this great country.  She has opened for the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Diamond Rio, Paul Brandt, Patricia Conroy and many others. In 2005 she realized a dream and released her debut CD All I Wanna Do.  A few years later another came true as KG Mornings became CCMA winners and now have 5 awards total for On Air personalities of the year in a secondary market.  She recently recorded new music produced by Carolyn Dawn Johnson including her highest charting single to date “Missing Me Too”. She has an orange cat, four nieces, a nephew and a really nice lawn (in the summertime).

Kaitlyn Lawes

• 2014 Olympic Gold Medalist – Sochi Russia – Undefeated
• 2013 Silver Medalist – Canadian Scotties Tournament of Hearts
• 2012 Bronze Medalist – Canadian Scotties Tournament of Hearts
• 2011 Silver Medalist – Canadian Scotties Tournament of Hearts
• 2009 Silver Medalist – World Junior Women’s
• 2008 Bronze Medalist – World Junior Women’s

Jill Officer

• 2014 Olympic Gold Medalist – Sochi Russia – Undefeated
• 2010, 2009, 2008 Canadian Scotties Tournament of Hearts Champions
• 2008 World Champions
• 2010 World Bronze Medalist

Other Celebrity Guests for 2014 Include:

Natalie Spooner
Meaghan Mikkelson
Shannon Szabados
Rebecca Johnston
Curtis Glencross
Kris Russell
Theoren Fleury
Davey Shields Jr.
Rod Hay
Denny Hay