Time: 7:30 p.m

 Tickets: $53.75-$88.75

Johnny Reid http://www.johnnyreid.com

Take a pinch of Bruce Springsteen, a dash of Bob Seger and enough Rod Stewart to give the mix vocal gravel, and you start to get the vibe of this Scottish-born singer/songwriter.”

– The New York Post –

Since arriving on the music scene over 10 years ago, critically acclaimed singer songwriter, Johnny Reid has captured the hearts of fans and audiences around the world. Born and raised in Lanark, Scotland, the blue collared soul singer is widely known for his lyrical honesty and musical ability, as demonstrated by album sales totaling over 1 million units, countless awards and multiple SOLD OUT national arena tours.

Already a chart-topping, multi-platinum selling artist in Canada, Reid’s songwriting resonates with audiences across the globe. Widely known for his energetic stage performances and talent for finding the grandeur in the highs and lows of everyday life; he’s an extraordinary talent, unique in his field, making him one of the most loved and celebrated artists of his time.

“From a young age, I listened to all kinds of music,” Reid says. “My mother was a big fan of Stax and Detroit soul. My father was a big fan of all music as long as it told a story. I have taken the instrumentation, performance, and energy of soul and annexed that with storytelling of things that really matter in this world: family, love, and friendship.”

Having released seven best-selling albums and 2 multi-platinum certified DVD’s, Reid’s massive success has caught the attention of famed artists such as Joe Cocker, for whom he penned the platinum selling single “Fire It Up” and famed producer Bob Ezrin (Lou Reed, Kiss, Pink Floyd, Peter Gabriel), whom he shares a recording partnership with.

His recordings are filled with classic rock riffs laced with blue-collar roots and a voice that brims with force and honesty. He’s an undeniable fan favourite, writing songs that chronicle the working class hero and have a blue-collar everyman feel, filled with fervent honesty and just the right mix of both personal and universal storytelling.

Connecting with audiences of all ages, Reid thrives as a performer and songwriter sharing his stories and songs around the world with incalculable influence. He’s a modern day working class hero with long standing collective appeal – one that captures the hearts of many one song at a time.
- See more at: http://www.johnnyreid.com/about#sthash.3wIMSrGj.dpuf

Natalie McMaster www.nataliemacmaster.com

Award winning Cape Breton musician, Natalie MacMaster, began her fiddling career at 16 releasing her debut album Four on the Floor. Her musical venture now spans over three decades, completing 11 albums, performing thousands of shows and collaborating with a multitude of world renowned artists.

The most recent album by MacMaster, Cape Breton Girl, is a self-described “straight-ahead, traditional record.” The album is filled with an invigorating collection of toe-tapping jigs, reels, and strathspeys that embodies her most cherished values: her family and home, tradition, and faith.

As a result of a life-time of touring and performing, audiences are left clapping, hollering, and screaming for more as Natalie and her band wow them with stylistic diversity without losing the traditional Cape Breton groove they have come to love. The applause only increases with excitement when she incorporates step dancing into her performance. Although MacMaster’s stage presence is reason enough to see one of her shows, it’s the elegance with the bow, the intricate technique with the fiddle, and the embrace of the Cape Breton tradition that floors her admirers at countless shows each year.

And now, after over 10 years of marriage to fellow Canadian fiddling icon Donnell Leahy, Natalie is expanding audience horizons by involving Donnell and their children into her performances. Both MacMaster and Leahy are award-winning musicians, having received Junos and Grammys, innumerable ECMAs and CCMAs, and multiple honorary degrees, Natalie and Donnell have earned respect from industry professionals and fans alike.

What is most captivating about them is that there is an undeniable love for live performance that is not soon forgotten. From the first note, audiences recognize the amazing talent being poured out before them. With riveting original pieces, traditional Cape Breton tunes, step-dancing, story-telling, and a joie-de-vive you have to see to believe, Natalie and Donnell have created a musical progeny that is in all ways unique and enticing and ensures that a strong Canadian fiddling tradition will exist for years to come. 

Aaron Goodvin http://aarongoodvin.com

One of the benefits of growing up in a small town is that you learn how to make your own entertainment. For country singer Aaron Goodvin, born in the tiny town of Spirit River, Alberta, that meant joining his extended family around the campfire for sing-alongs.

“When I was around 10 or 11 we got a karaoke machine for Christmas,” Aaron remembers, “After that it was all over. You couldn’t stop me singing.”

As a 12 year-old, Aaron had his first taste of stage life when he entered a singing contest at a local mall. Once he heard the applause from the crowd, he knew what he wanted to do and no one was going to get in his way. But singing other people’s songs wasn’t what he had in mind, so he as soon as he could play guitar, he started writing his own material.

By the time Aaron was 18 his songwriting had matured to the point of contributing cuts to other artists.

“I love songwriting, but it’s what I do to get to the place I really want to be. I see myself as an artist – as a performer.”

Over the years, Aaron built a local reputation as a dynamic performer with a rock solid portfolio of songs. With that success buoying his confidence, he started to make trips down to Nashville to test the waters in country music’s Mecca. After signing with publishing powerhouse Warner Chappell Music, Aaron scored his first major league contribution with the track “Out Like That” on Luke Bryan’s multi-platinum Crash My Party. That kind of calling card gets you invited in to a lot of writing sessions, but Aaron had other ideas about his place in the music world.

“Because of songwriting I was able to break in to Nashville,” he says. “There’s nothing cooler than having someone singing your song. But, performing is the reason that I do all of the other things I do.”

The opportunity to continue to develop as a performer ended up coming from fellow artist Johnny Reid. Reid was working with a Nashville recording engineer who mentioned that he had also been working with a young singer named Aaron Goodvin. Impressed by his ability to sing and perform Johnny reached out to Aaron to get together. The two talked about what Aaron’s future could hold.

“I told Johnny that I just wanted to share my music with an audience,” says Aaron. “He’s taken me under his wing which shows you what kind of guy he is. He truly wants to help other artists.”

Aaron’s versatility and passion for writing and performing is second to none. Aaron has a natural ability to light up a stage, connect with his audience, and deliver a show-stopping performance, whether it’s a small intimate gathering or a crowd of thousands.

“I want to get out there and connect with people through my music. I’m a passionate guy who tries to write about real life things that mean something to a lot of people.”

Aaron Goodvin talks about “Knock On Wood”:

This song is the past 10 years of my life wrapped into three and half minutes. Co-written with my producer Bart Butler and his longtime friend Larry McCoy, I knew from the first time I spit out the first line “I’m gonna change the world, just me and this guitar” that it was going to be special.
I believe God put me on this earth to sing and write songs with a message. Songs that give people hope no matter where they are in their lives. This is that song. It’s also a great reminder to myself of all the hard times I got through just to get a song like this on the radio.

 JJ Shiplett http://www.jjshiplettmusic.com

“I’ll keep singing on…until this well runs dry or this fire dies”

You can sum up JJ Shiplett’s world with the line above (taken from his song Bluejay Highway). A songwriter in every situation and a dedicated player, JJ’s passion for quality music and sincere songs, is only matched by his goal to get everyone dancing. It’s CCR to Ryan Adams to the The Boss. Introducing JJ Shiplett.

Recently he was the recipient of Rawlco Radio’s 10k20 Grant Program in his hometown of Calgary, Alberta. Following the grant, he recorded his first full length album which will be released April 17th, 2012. Recorded at Five Acres Studios in Aldergrove, B.C. with the help of producer Ryan Mcallister (Dakona, Cowboys and Indians, Maverick Records), the album showcases heartfelt moments full of life experience, right alongside bursts of boisterous feel-good rock and roll. Sometime this spring/summer, JJ Shiplett will be coming to a Canadian city near you to play some new tunes from the album. Stayed tuned for more details.

In 2007, JJ released ‘Colours’. It was his first recording released to the publc. Titled for its diverse emotional journey, the album is an honest and expressive portrayal of an artist’s heart. Recorded in the basement of a Calgary church with the help of producer Adam Gill and Jason Graham (Barrage, Shane Yellowbird), the album was followed with shows across Canada. JJ opened for Canadian artist such as Jeremy Fisher, Zaac Pick and Hello Beautiful, as well as for international artists such as Thomas McCleary of The Commodores.

In 2009 JJ started a society with friend, Daniel Huscroft called “The Hus and Banger Society For Kids Who Can’t Afford Musical Instruments” The title says it all. With a desire to help Canadian kids whose families might not be able to purchase quality instruments to help them learn the fundamentals and to assist in the learning of one of life’s most important aspects, art.

JJ Shiplett believes in creating and encouraging quality art in Canada; in entertaining and inspiring people across this great country.