Opry North Showcase: March 1, 2003

by Jeffrey "JR" Reed

For me, one of the most attractive and entertaining features of the monthly Opry North Showcase is its diverse talent. Diversity was alive and well on March 1 in Kitchener, as four very unique acts strutted their stuff for a large, lively audience of Country music afficionados. A veteran singer/songwriter in the style of Johnny Cash; a younger performer emulating Tim McGraw but with a distinct style; a Bluegrass band; and a talented guitarist with a hint of rock and fresh vocals all brought The Stampede Corral stage to life.

Even before the afternoon’s entertainment got underway, you just knew this was not going to be a typical Country music showcase. Smilin’ Joe Allain, the Bareback Riders’ steel guitarist and Opry North Showcase emcee, was delayed arriving on this afternoon. However, lead vocalist and acoustic guitarist Kurk Bernard filled in admirably in Joe’s absence. After a group of songs greeted the growing crowd, Allain arrived, and without skipping a beat, walked right onto the stage, grinning, greeting the crowd, and then picking his guitar.

It should be noted, the Bareback Riders are without peers when it comes to house bands. Chris Mancini on bass; his brother, Mark Mancini on lead and acoustic; and Colin Connors on kick round out the band. Next time you take in an Opry North Showcase, I urge you to stick around for the evening show. You won’t be disappointed. These guys really know how to entertain a crowd in a variety of ways.

Variety was, indeed, the order of the day. Leading off, Michael Carey, a Waterloo resident by way of Newfoundland, demonstrated why he has staying power in the entertainment industry. A former member of Whiskey River, Carey puts on a show relying on rockabilly energy and style not unlike The Hawk: legendary Rockin’ Ronnie Hawkins. His songwriting and vocal performances have been praised by the likes of Rita McNeil and Johnny Cash. In fact, when Carey performed Cash’s, Cry Cry Cry, you would have sworn it was The Man In Black himself on stage in Kitchener.

With a new CD ready for release this spring, Carey sang three original songs: What Am I Gonna’ Do; Brand New Me; and My Old Guitar. His version of Hank Williams’s, You Win Again, won him a lot of applause from the Corral crowd. With a striking red shirt, silver beard, and vibrant personality, Carey put the party in high gear, setting the table for the next performer, who indeed had a hard act to follow.

Young Cory Gallant passed the test with flying colours – and more. Singing in the cool manner of Kenny Chesney, Gallant showed why he is a force to be reckoned with on the New Country music scene. A Guelph resident, Gallant was born in Brockton, P.E.I. and is a distant cousin of the Bareback Riders’ Bernard. Indeed, he comes from a musical family. Fresh from recording sessions in Nashville, Gallant treated the audience to a strong mix of tunes.

Two Doors Swinging was Gallant’s début CD, released in 2001. He performed the title song, his trademark ballad, before moving onto George Strait’s, Write This Down. Sold (John Michael Montgomery’s hit song) saw the crowd clapping and toe tapping, as did Gallant’s fourth tune, The Race Is On (George Jones, covered by Sawyer Brown). Gallant finished strong with Eddie Rabbit’s, Driving My Life Away. Look for this talented young performer to make his own headlines soon.

Sometimes, you need to leave home in order to recognize the best from your own backyard. That’s the only way to describe how I felt when the third act, Bluegrass group, Lonesome Wind, performed at the Corral. This London, Ont.-based band, formed in 2002, blends classic Kentucky and traditional Nashville sounds, with a brisk Canadian flavour. Led by Hamilton-born rhythm guitarist and vocalist, Pam Brooks-Armstrong (formerly of Country band, Pam Brooks & Country Connection), Lonesome Wind is doing much more than riding the coat tails of the O Brother Where Art Thou? craze: they are blazing their own Bluegrass trail, and have quickly become the pride of Bluegrass music in southwestern Ontario.

Lonesome Wind features dobro player, Al Widmeyer, whose song, Honky Tonk Saturday Night, hit the Top 10 on the Canadian Country charts in 1990, when he played with the Golden Fiddle Company and Karl Kees. Paul Hurdle (Dixie Flyers, Northern City Limits) handles the banjo; Guy Tellier plays acoustic bass; Gary D’Entremont (Clean Sweep) the mandolin; and Maria Polillo guitar and vocals. Polillo sings in the style of Alison Krauss. And Brooks-Armstrong, whom has made many appearances on the 820 CHAM Country Chamboree, is being likened to renown Bluegrass artist, Rhonda Vincent.

Fittingly, Lonesome Wind led off with, Lonesome Wind Blues, recorded by many Bluegrass artists, most recently Rhonda Vincent and The Rage. Next up was, Old Love Affair, followed by, Blue Eyed Darling. Once More, written in 1956 by Dusty Owens, was next on Lonesome Wind’s song list. This tune was recently recorded by Vince Gill, and in all, has been recorded by more than 100 artists. I’ll stay Around, from the, O Sister 2 collection (Alecia McCreight) and earlier by Ricky Skaggs, was slated as Lonesome Winds last song of the day. However, an encore performance generated by the enthusiastic audience resulted in the Bill Monroe tune, Southern Flavour.

Lonesome Wind has a demo CD available. Recent efforts include involvement with the attempt to establish the Thames Valley Bluegrass Association, to represent Bluegrass, Traditional Country, and Folk music in London and area. Here’s wishing them success.

And speaking of successful ventures, Woodstock, Ont.-based guitarist Fred Lewis (Danielle Hainer band) is another young musician making waves on the local scene. His own band, Ridin’ High, has been performing since he was just 17 (he’s 23 years old). Lewis’s father, Bill, a veteran Country musician, plays drums, while Russ Cayen handles bass. Guitar player Cal Horner was absent on this day. Lewis credits Guy Melanson, and dad Bill, with much of his passion for music and his early success. He counts amongst his guitar influences: Roy Buchanon; Danny Gatton; Brian Setzer; Brent Mason; Roy Nichols; and Red Volkart. Lewis also plays bass, and drums (he received his first set at age 9). Vocal influences include: Johnny Paycheck; Del Reeves; Merle Haggard; and Buck Owens.

Sticking with the theme of diversity, Lewis chose a good cross section of songs for his set. Rocky Road Blues (Bill Monroe) was followed by Lewis’s own tune, Please. Johnny Paycheck’s 11 Months and 29 Days; Sit Here And Drink (Merle Haggard); and a Southern Rock tune from ZZ Top, Sharp Dressed Man, rounded out Lewis’s set. A second encore of the day saw Lewis perform another Haggard song, Working Man Blues.

Opry North Showcase fans have grown accustomed to hearing a selection of songs from home grown artists during intermissions, and this day was no exception. Some of my favourites on this day included: Keith Thompson’s Field Of Broken Dreams; Laura Rose’s So Long Leon; Jaclyn & Cassandra’s If I Could; and Julie Gibb’s Finding My Heart. The Bareback Riders held their on, too, performing hits like Wrapped Around, and Honky Tonk Angel.

So, the stage is set for the next Opry North Showcase event, scheduled for March 29 at the Stampede Ranch in Guelph. With another strong lineup on tap, here’s betting the momentum of a truly unique Canadian Country music show from Kim Jamieson and Wayne Tozzi continues to build towards greater heights.