Time: 10 p.m.

Cover: $10

www.myspace.com/craigmoritz  or www.craigmoritz.com

Craig Moritz is a rare find. A Canadian country boy at heart, he’s the kind of man who’s worked hard, played fair, and just happens to make some of the best country music around. Born in Medicine Hat, raised in Ft. McMurray and now living in the Edmonton area, Craig is pure Alberta.  Before he realized he was destined to play country, he made a living at whatever he could - from selling cars to working the oilfields. It was a post-show conversation with country superstar Toby Keith in Saskatchewan that changed everything. Once they got past the standard meet-and-greet, Toby shared what he felt about the true nature of the music industry, and Craig walked away ready to make a real change in his life. Deeply inspired and motivated for the first time, he’s worked hard ever since to build his career as a country singer and songwriter.

It’s taken a solid seven years of performing, writing, recording, rehearsing, interviews, and networking - plus plenty of personal and financial sacrifice – for Craig to become an authentic regional star.  After he was chosen to be part of a prestigious new artist showcase sponsored by the Canadian Country Music Association in 2004, Craig recorded his first album, “The Way I Feel,” in early ’05 on Royalty Records with noted producer Tom McKillip. Then he hit the honky-tonk circuit – ruling the road from hardscrabble boomtown Fort McMurray in the vast northern oil sands of Canada to cities like Edmonton, Calgary and Regina..

He’s spent a lot of time reflecting on his own life and everything that’s happening around him, doing everything possible to keep true to himself and his music. Heartache, family, friends, good times, bad times, funny stories or awkward situations - it’s all going to show up in Craig’s songs, and his legions of loyal fans always show up to share it with him. In addition to headlining his own tours and becoming a mainstay at major country events like the Calgary Stampede, Craig has opened for and shared the stage with some of the greatest names in country music today, including Sara Evans, Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, David Lee Murphy and The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.

2008 saw the release of "Down and Dirty," Craig’s second album on Royalty, which featured the production talents of Dean Sams of country supergroup Lonestar and Dean Miller, son of country legend Roger Miller. "Down and Dirty" includes songs by Craig and several top country writers, including famed Nashville songsmith Byron Hill. It spawned several hits on Canadian country radio and set the stage for Craig’s debut video "Blame You," produced by Vancouver's Triton films in 2009.

Touring for the past year to support "Down and Dirty," Craig has also been shuttling between Canada and Nashville to work on his third highly-anticipated record. Several tunes have already been penned, including "Only When You're Lonely." A collaboration with platinum-selling writer Steve Fox, who’s “Daddy Won't Sell The Farm” was recorded by Montgomery Gentry, "Only When You're Lonely" was recently showcased by the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI). Word around Music City USA is that this one could be The One – Craig’s breakout hit. With all the buzz building, it’s no wonder he scored Nashville Music Guide’s cover and lead interview in June 2010, just in time for Nashville’s world- renowned CMA Music Festival/Fan Fair.
   
With his clean sound, good looks, and honest brand of real country music, Craig Moritz is ready to step into the well-worn boots of the trailblazers he honors - men like George Strait, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, Dwight Yoakam and Randy Travis. He’s country - tried and true – and he’s going to stake his claim on the charts in 2010.

You can find Craig Moritz on iTunes or www.royaltyrecords.ca.