Opry North Showcase Review: June 28, 2003

The Stampede Corral, Kitchener

by Jeffrey "JR" Reed

The old adage, "Time flies when you’re having fun," certainly applies to the monthly Opry North Showcase. It’s hard to believe, we are already on summer break from one of Canada’s premier events for rising Country music talent. However, as we all know too well, our summer holidays, unfortunately, fly by quicker than Jeff Gordon’s #24 at the Indianapolis 500 (with apologies to Jeff Foxworthy, that’s my attempt at a little redneck humour). In no time at all, we’ll gather once again at the Stampede Corral in Kitchener to resume the Showcase on September 27.

The June 28 show at the Corral was a much-anticipated event, because of the new, diverse talent showcased by show producers Kim Jamieson and Wayne Tozzi. The show didn’t disappoint the large crowd in attendance, who had arrived hoping to leave for summer break on a good note (pun intended). As always, the Bareback Riders (BBR) were at the top of their game, fresh from a show-stopping performance at London Country Jam. Guests on this day were as follows: hometown performer, Britanie Cameron; Lynn Cayen of Woodstock; Guelph’s Mark Benson; and Ontario-based Bluegrass band, Cross Cut Grass.

With BBR lead vocalist and guitarist Kurk Bernard absent on this day, Guelph artist Cory Callant filled in admirably, not missing a beat. He sang a solid version of, Be My Baby Tonight (John Michael Montgomery). With Smilin’ Joe Allain as always on steel and lead vocals, the band delivered an outstanding rendition of the Toby Keith-Willie Nelson tune, Beer For My Horses. Listening to them, you’d never know the BBR had just begun practicing this song a few days earlier.

In fact, The BBR have been thrilling audiences across Ontario for five years. Collectively, they possess decades of experience on the Country music scene. As a group, these talented artists have shared the stage with some of the biggest names in Country music, including Alan Jackson, Clay Walker, Reba McEntire, Brooks and Dunn, Terri Clark, Michelle Wright, Prairie Oyster, Blake Shelton, The Daughters, Charlie Major, Jason McCoy, Doc Walker, and Pinmonkey. They’ve even opened three shows for the legendary Loretta Lynn.

Perhaps The BBR are best known for their important role as hosts and house band for the Opry North Showcase. Giving unselfishly of their time each month to promote Canadian Country music, The BBR welcome a new lineup of rising talent to the stage, backing them with their contemporary yet traditional sound, sometimes borrowing Rock and Blues; and old-fashioned Country hospitality. It’s a combination that’s winning The BBR new fans everywhere: at the Opry North Showcase; fairs; festivals; cozy clubs; and even colossal coliseums.

 

The BBR are: Smilin’ Joe Allain (steel guitar, lead vocals); Kurk Bernard (lead vocals, acoustic guitar); Colin Connors (drums); and brothers, Mark Mancini (lead, acoustic guitars), and Chris Mancini (bass guitar). Nowhere will you find five musicians who have as much fun on stage as this group of friends. They are truly entertainers in every sense of the word.

Fan-favourite Smilin’ Joe Allain is a Canadian Country music legend, figuring prominently in the history of Ontario Country music with such notables as Johnny Burke, and Terry Sumsion. Known equally for his incomparable skill and talent on the pedal steel guitar, and his ear-to-ear smile, Allain is the glue which holds together this outstanding collection of talent. Kurk Bernard is not only the energetic front man for The Bareback Riders, but also a member of, South Mountain, the newest musical sensation in Europe. As lead vocalist and talented guitar player with The Bareback Riders, Bernard brings a unique style to the stage which breeds a party atmosphere during each show. On kick, Colin Connors has few equals in Ontario, and gives Smilin’ Joe Allain a run for his money in the grinnin’ department. Connors is also a key member of the band behind the scenes, ensuring that fans of The BBR witness their best effort every time they take the stage. Mark Mancini has held a special place in his heart for music during his entire lifetime. Holding a college degree in music, Mark provides an important, top-notch guitar sound which provides a truly recognizable sound for The BBR. The same can be said for Chris Mancini, a long-time acoustic, lead and bass guitarist with a myriad of experience with additional area bands. Together, The BBR are inseparable, and without peers with it comes to putting an audience in a party mood.

The first guest artist on stage, 14-year-old Britanie Cameron of Kitchener, demonstrated why she has a bright future ahead of her. Inexperienced in terms of performing with a live band, Cameron shone with fresh yet confident stage presence. Her sense of timing was wonderful, showing why she is a natural performer. In fact, the Grade 10 student, with eight years of piano and three years of vocal lessons behind her, was born with a silver microphone in her hand. She has performed since age 4, competed in several junior talent contests, and is a multi-ribbon award winner at the Kitchener-Waterloo Kiwanis Music Festival.

Some of you may have been fortunate enough to have witnessed Cameron’s solo performance of Faith Hill’s, If My Heard Had Wings, at the 2002 Miss Oktoberfest Pageant. In fact, this petite songbird also claims Shania Twain and Martina McBride as musical influences. She’ll be drawing from their inspiration while on stage in the live musical theatrical production of, Little Shop Of Horrors, at River Run Centre in Guelph, in August.

Cameron’s five-song set at the June Showcase included: Honey I’m Home (Shania Twain); Why Haven’t I Heard From You (Reba McEntire); Wild One (Faith Hill); No One Needs To Know (another Shania song); and The Dixie Chicks’, There’s Your Trouble. A solid vocalist with excellent range and unlimited potential, Britanie Cameron received much applause for her performance at the Opry North Showcase.

The second guest performer, Lynn Cayen, could have been excused if she had seemed distracted during her performance. After all, her wedding day was just weeks away! But this talented 21-year-old singer/songwriter put on a splendid show. Her band members were no strangers to the Opry North Showcase stage; they’re Ridin’ High, also based in Woodstock: Fred Lewis on lead guitar; his father, Bill Lewis, on drums; and Lynn’s father, Russ Cayen, on bass guitar.

A self-defined "New Country artist, playing Traditional Country music, but with a new twist," Cayen has performed for six years. Yet, she is already a polished performer, with a great look and outstanding vocals. In fact, more than one audience member remarked, her style emulates that of talented singer/songwriter, Julie Gibb. With a début CD planned for 2004, Cayen is mapping her own road to success.

True to her own style, Cayen performed a set of five distinct tunes: I Feel Lucky (Mary Chapin Carpenter); Til I Gain Control Again (Rodney Crowell, Blue Rodeo); a great rendition of the Hank Williams classic, Your Cheatin Heart; and the Chicks’, Loving Arms. Cayen’s self-penned tune, A Million Ways, hinted that she should treat her audiences to more original material. The song was a catchy little ditty, again, true to her self-description of old-meets-new. A talented guitarist and vocalist, and promising songwriter with sparkle on stage, look for Lynn Cayen’s star to shine in years to come.

Another new face on the Canadian Country Music scene is already turning heads with his uncanny knack for songwriting. Judging by his performance at the Showcase, and his many rave reviews, Mark Benson is well on his way to becoming a much sought-after entertainer. A regular at the Opry North Songwriters’ Cafe on Tuesday nights in Guelph, Benson, 26, is a plumber by trade. A native of Mount Forest, he placed in the Top 6 at CMT’s Project Discovery 2002 in Owen Sound. Benson spent six months in Calgary to pursue further opportunities in music, and completed a three-song demo CD with producer John Theil.

Back in Guelph, with his wife, Amber, and 3-year-old son, Mitchell, Benson is already a bit of a local celebrity. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him someday trade in his plumber’s wrench for a guitar. His Saturday song set included Blake Shelton’s, Old Red. Benson performed no fewer than four original songs: Looking For A Cure; a great song entitled, The Horse’s Mouth; That’s My Overtime; and, Him In Me, one of the trio of tunes on his demo (which also includes, Slow Down, and, The Bitter Truth). Joining Benson on stage were a crack group of musicians, including guitarist extraordinaire and fellow Guelph artist, Kent MacMillan.

How would one describe Benson’s style? His songwriting is pure magic: his lyrics blend together in a velvety-smooth manner, with just a touch of Country edge. And his harmonic vocals roll off his tongue in the hybrid style of an Alan Jackson-Toby Keith clone. With those type of accolades already showered upon him, it will come as no surprise to anyone when Benson’s allegiance of fans stretches beyond the Guelph city limits.

The music of Bluegrass band, Cross Cut Grass, certainly has no boundaries. Anyone who thought O Brother, Where Art Thou? mania would die a quick death only had to take in Cross Cut Grass’s performance at the Corral to take note, Bluegrass is alive and well. It’s hard to believe this fivesome has only played together for a year. With gigs like Palmer Rapids Bluegrass Festival, and Willow Park Bluegrass Festival to their credit, there are bigger and better things ahead for this grass-roots Country band.

Cross Cut Grass are: Tom McCreight (bass) of Udora, a Bluegrass veteran, and winner of the Bass Player of the Year award at Deerhurst; Ed Marion (guitar) of Oakville, providing lead vocals and some top-notch flat top pickin’; Al Snow (mandolin) of Beamsville; Stefan Van Holten (banjo, guitar, lead vocals) of Stoney Creek; and newest band member, Doug Moerchfelder (dobro, guitar, lead vocals) of Hagersville, who also sings with The Gospelaires of Oshwegen.

Five songs from these five lads included: More Pretty Girls Than One; Drinkin’ and Dreamin’ (a McCreight tune); Dark Hollow; and two Van Holten tunes, I Don’t Miss You, and, Pathways End. Bluegrass always goes over well at the Opry North Showcase, and this afternoon proved no differently, as the by now vociferous crowd called for an encore performance. Indeed, a good time was had by all.

Toss in some intermission tunes from some top-notch Indie artists, and you have a recipe for success at the June Showcase. It’s always an exciting time when the end of the month arrives, and Opry North is ready to stage another talent offering. When the summer festival season comes to an end, and September rolls around, be sure to stop by the Corral in Kitchener for another installment of the best Ontario has to offer in Country music.

See y’all in Kitchener on September 27!