Opry North Showcase Review: April 26, 2003

by Jeffrey "JR" Reed

One of the beautiful things about the Opry North Showcase is, a surprise is always ready to greet you, the moment you walk into the door of the Stampede Ranch in Guelph, or like on this day, at the Stampede Corral in Kitchener. In fact, with a full slate of top-notch Canadian Country music entertainment on tap, the April 26 Showcase created a number of memorable moments.

And, what better place to start than with the best house band in these parts – the Bareback Riders (BBR). Don’t let the term ‘house band’ fool you: these guys are some of the best musicians around – professional instrumentalists and vocalists, with a repertoire as large as Dolly Parton’s wig collection. They proved it once again, performing songs like, ZZ Top’s, Sharp Dressed Man, featuring the vocals of steel guitarist Smilin’ Joe Allain, and Keith Urban’s, Somebody Like You, showcasing guitarist and lead vocalist, Kurk Bernard.

This was a temporary farewell for Bernard, whose band, South Mountain, leaves for a European tour on May 21, and returns June 17, just in time for the BBR’s appearance at the London (Ont.) Country Jam, scheduled for June 21. South Mountain returns to Europe on July 9, before returning August 19.

Attesting to the strength of our homegrown artists, the BBR are sharing the stage with a number of former Opry North Showcase performers at the London Country Jam, including: Keith Thompson; Julie Gibb; The Shovels; and Jaclyn & Cassandra. Future Showcase artist, Crystal Gauthier, also plays at this year’s June 20-22 event in London. Brad Paisley will close the show June 21.

The first guest artist April 26, female vocalist Jordan Boyd of London, pulled off a surprising first at the Opry North Showcase: she sang acapella, and did so in style. In fact, Boyd’s rendition of The Wilkinson’s, Williamstown, was in my estimation one of the best performances ever to grace the Opry North Showcase stage. With smooth vocals mature beyond her 16 years, yet little experience performing with a live band, Boyd also sang brilliantly with the BBR to Shania Twain’s, No One Needs To Know, and, Rock This Country; the Dixie Chicks’, There’s Your Trouble; and Jessica Andrews’, There’s More To Me Than You.

Born in Calgary, Alta., raised in London, Ont., Boyd enjoyed a brief residency in England. Already, she has established her name locally, and internationally. A former dance student, Boyd first competed as a vocalist at age 6, and at 12, represented Canada, along with the well-respected Original Kids Theatre Company, at the International Children’s Theater Festival in Germany. An unselfish young performer, Boyd is always quick to lend her talents to a number of charitable organizations. She’s a brilliant artist with a bright future.

The second performer of the afternoon, Robert James – the pride of Bothwell, Ont. – got the joint jumpin’ with a traditional yet contemporary mix of Country flavour in the style of Alan Jackson, and Garth Brooks. A true showman with an insatiable appetite for performing, James, in fact, performed Jackson’s, Don’t Rock The Jukebox, as well as Brooks’, Friends In Low Places. His set also included, Truck Driving Man; I Saw The Light; and an original tune, a catchy little ditty entitled, Daddy’s Guitar, which he performed with his father, Art James, himself a Country music entertainer.

Donning his trademark Stetson, James performed for a lively Stampede Corral crowd on this afternoon, 38 of whom rode a bus from Bothwell to come watch their favourite son sing on the Opry North stage. Sources say, the entire bunch sang non-stop at the top of their lungs during the return trip to Bothwell. They no doubt were fuelled by an energetic (to say the least) three-song show-ending encore from James, whose yodelling would have made George Jones proud. He ended the Showcase with Brooks’, The Dance, and another performance of, Friends In Low Places – no reflection on his posse, whose enthusiasm provided a highlight of this day. If you missed James’ act, you can see him perform at Chatham, Ont.’s Festival of Nations event in June.

Unfortunately, the scheduled third performer, Ernest Dufour from Honey Harbour, Ont., was unable to make the Showcase – the unexpected does happen, as aforementioned. Hopefully, this talented , self-taught acoustic guitar player, poet and composer will appear at an Opry North Showcase in the near future.

Another fellow Londoner, Terri-Lynn Dymock, proved that sometimes you have to leave home in order to discover the best from your own backyard. A terrific songwriter and strong vocalist, Dymock performed a solid mix of songs that elegantly showcased her diverse talent. Her set included: a classic Patsy Cline tune, Walkin’ After Midnight, with a hint of blues and rock; a sassy original song, Be Careful What You Wish For, which placed her third at the 2002 Canadian Open Country Singing Contest; Piece Of My Time; Just Let Me Cry, another original; and finishing with, You’re My Everything, a co-write with Londoner Shelly Rastin (who also appears at London Country Jam).

With songwriting roots dating back to 1985, Dymock has recently re-entered the music industry, relying on talents equally as strong in the genres of Pop/Rock, Country, and Christian Contemporary (CCM). She first performed at age 8, and today is collaborating with such talented artists as Rastin, Fischer/Von (Judy Von and Tim Fischer), and artist Samantha O’Dell, who performed with Dymock on this afternoon in Kitchener. With an uncanny ability to pen a hit song, and sweet, bluesy vocals, we will be hearing a lot from Dymock’s camp in the years to come. Watch for a CCM release from Dymock in the very near future.

Last but not least, a Brantford performer with a guitar autographed by non other than The Great One, Wayne Gretzky, took the Stampede Corral stage and scored some new fans with his fresh vocals and friendly showmanship. Already a proven songwriter with less than a year of experience, Don Parchem performed a quintet of tunes which had the Corral crowd tapping their toes to the beat of Toby Keith’s, How Do You Like Me Now?; Paisley’s mega hit, Wrapped Around; Trivis Tritt’s, Trouble; and two original tunes, One Mile At A Time, and Mama Tried.

Parchem has been a fan of Country music his entire life, so he knows what it takes to make hits in this industry. Now, he’s walkin’ the walk, preparing a CD, and performing this summer at the Fergus Truck Show, and the Welland Farmer’s Market. He has recently returned from Nashville, where he performed live on radio with the Gibson Bluegrass Showcase, and was able to secure a representative who will spread the word about his enormous talents. Perhaps Gretzky’s signature will bring him good luck. Here’s wishing him much success.

An additional note: the BBR performed, Amazed, with vocals & instrumentals that rivalled Lonestar’s rendition of this hit song. It was recorded for play on June 14 at the wedding of fans Dave and Linda, who danced to the song on this afternoon at the Corral.

And, as always, between sets, the tireless tandem of Kim Jamieson and Wayne Tozzi presented a number of songs from local artists, like Thompson (who is lending his prolific songwriting skills to projects with Parchem); Gibb; Jaclyn & Cassandra; Tara Oram; Heather Smith; Laura Rose (also appearing at London Country Jam with The Daughters); Desert Reign; Homestead; and Amy Rose.

Indeed, the Opry North Showcase is all about an extended family of singers, songwriters and Country music lovers. See y’all at The Ranch in Guelph on May 31!