Since 1993, the Big Valley Jamboree has been putting country music hit makers on stage for a weekend of good times - and in 2018 the tradition will continue.
The lineup of Canadian and American country artists is impressive and has a lot to offer to any live crowd. Put them all together and Thursday, August 2 to Sunday, August 5 should be a helluva weekend in Camrose, Alberta.
We've lined up the artists here (the main stage and then the SiriusXM Stage) with some of the reasons we think you should be excited, and what you might be able to expect.
Ready? Here we go!
Main Stage
Friday
Thomas Rhett - 9:00pm
Rhett has also been announced as a headliner in Ontario at Boots & Hearts this summer, giving the country music hitmaker back-to-back weekends headlining for Canadian fans.
We've seen Thomas Rhett on stage before, and he puts on a killer show. And now, with new music from his 2017 album, Life Changes, to add to his set - we're sure he's going to have a new wrinkle or two to add to his show.
Be ready to dance and sing and cheer and have a good time!
Paul Brandt - 7:30pm
Paul Brandt is a hit maker, fan favourite, and Canadian Country Music Association Hall of Famer - and the opportunity to see him up on stage playing songs that fans will no doubt know all the words too is amazing.
Tune up your voices to belt out Alberta Bound, Small Towns And Big Dreams, My Heart Has A History, Get A Bed, and Paul Brandt's most recent top 20 hit, The Journey!
Billy Ray Cyrus - 5:00pm
Yes, Billy Ray Cyrus owns one of the most divisive hits in the history of country music, but he's got a lot more than that to offer.
We've seen Cyrus play live, but never on a big stage with a big crowd... but we'd bet that it's awesome.
Whether he's playing songs from Some Gave All, Set The Record Straight, or any of his 13 albums in between, Billy Ray Cyrus will be at the Big Valley Jamboree to put on a show.
Carolyn Dawn Johnson - 3:30pm
Canadian country music fans will remember how successful and important CDJ was in the early 2000's. They should also know that she hasn't stopped, and she's got as much talent now as she had before.
When y'all hear songs like Georgia and Complicated, let yourself be taken back to 2000 and enjoy every minute of it.
Leaving Thomas - 2:00pm
This upstart country music duo out of Calgary has new music coming in 2018, which will give them more songs for their Big Valley Jamboree set. And if the response to Best Adventure and Waiting Kind Of Girl at the 2017 Leaving Thomas shows we saw is any indication, it's going to be fun!
Saturday
Alabama - 9:00pm
Having had the chance to see the legendary Alabama on stage at Boots & Hearts year one in 2012, we know just how great it is to experience all of the hits live.
The harmonies are still magical. The songs are still as impactful and fun as they always were, and Alabama have some pretty fun stories too.
With 32 number one hits, Alabama has no shortage of songs to choose from to play for a live crowd. That does mean that you might not hear a few of your favourites, but we can promise that what they do play will make you smile and sing.
Dallas Smith - 7:30pm
One of the biggest acts of any genre in Canada, Dallas Smith continues to wow fans with his live shows. And when he gets on a big stage at a big festival, he does exactly what he has to to get a big crowd fired up and engaged.
Smith has energy to spare when he fires it up, and as he sings and makes his way from one side of the stage to the other, you're sure to see hands go up and cheers rise from the Big Valley Jamboree crowd.
Hits from Jumped Right In, Lifted, and Side Effects, will flow throughout Smith's set - and we'd bet that the Juno and CCMA winner will give Canadian fans a highlight of their summer.
Jess Moskaluke - 5:00pm
As a three time Female Artist of the Year winner at the Canadian Country Music Association awards, Jess Moskaluke has shown that she is a star in Canadian Country. And when she hits the stage at the Big Valley Jamboree we are certain that her charm and talent will shine bright.
With nine singles cracking the top 20, and three of those landing in the top 10 (including her highest charting single, Drive Me Away, charting at number three on the Canadian country charts) Jess Moskaluke is not lacking for music to play live. And, with her background in YouTube covers part of her story, Moskaluke isn't afraid to have a little fun and play some of her favourites from other artists and genres while she's on stage.
Have fun!
Aaron Goodvin - 2:00pm
Another rising star in Canadian country, Goodvin has been earning fans and pleasing ears with every step he's taken in his career. 2018 will start on tour with Gord Bamford, and by the time the Big Valley Jamboree hits in August, Goodvin should be at the very top of his live performance game.
Be prepared for it to get loud in the crown when Aaron Goodvin and the band break into Lonely Drum - trust us.
Sunday
Florida Georgia Line - 9:00pm
A lot of people have a lot of things to say about Florida Georgia Line ... here's what we have to say.
1) FGL have proven to us on more than one occasion that they know how to have a good time and put on a great live show.
2) One of the very loudest and goosebump inducing moments we've ever had at a concert came in Toronto when the crowd sang along to H.O.L.Y. - it was amazing - click here to see it on video.
3) Tyler and BK are hit makers, and the crowd will know the words to their songs. And when you're talking about a live show, that's a big ingredient for a good time.
4) The energy that these two dudes bring to the stage, with humility and grace and appreciation for the crowd in front of them is overlooked and always connects well with a crowd.
5) Florida Georgia Line has a ton of energy - and if hit songs are a big ingredient, so is this!
Brett Eldredge - 7:30pm
This dude is one of the most talented and charismatic characters in Nashville right now, and when he comes to the Big Valley Jamboree main stage, y'all are gonna see it!
Brett Eldredge will be more than happy to play his Platinum, Gold, and Top five hits for the crowd. And if our experience seeing him in the summer of 2017 is any indication of what BVJ in 2018 will be, everyone should be very happy.
ps. If you're lucky, he'll have Edgar with him and you'll get to meet one of the cutest dogs you've ever seen.
Small Town Pistols - 3:30pm
When Amanda and Tyler Wilkinson hit the stage a wave of nostalgia and happiness will hit the crowd, and it will be awesome.
Each Small Town Pistols show we've seen has included fan favourites from their two records, plus great selections from Amanda's solo career, and mega hits from The Wilkinsons.
We've never been disappointed and we don't believe you will be either!
Danny Hooper - 2:00pm
The long serving (25 years) MC of the Big Valley Jamboree main stage, Danny Hooper has pretty much seen it all. And on Sunday he'll be kicking off the last day of festivities himself.
Be ready for a good start to the end of a fantastic weekend of BVJ country music!
Kickoff (Thursday)
Luke Combs - 11:00pm
With Hurricane and When It Rains It Pours, Luke Combs has announced himself as one of the biggest new voices in country music. And when he hits the Big Valley Jamboree kickoff stage, we'd bet that things are going to heat up quickly.
Be ready for a party!
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - 9:30pm
Legends! What more do you need to hear about the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
Yes, we all know they've got one of the most beloved songs in country music to play for y'all... but there's more than just that. However, we'd by foolish and lying if we told you that the biggest cheers and loudest singing of the night wasn't going to come during Fishin' In The Dark!
Coors Banquet Saloon, SiriusXM Stage
Friday
Aaron Pritchett - 12:00am
Aaron Pritchett is a Canadian country music fan favourite. His songs range from the emotional stories we love from the genre, to the party hits that you can't help but jam out to.
And while we don't know which songs Pritchett will fit into his set at BVJ, we would suggest that you be ready for a party when he hits the stage at midnight.
Drew Gregory - 10:30pm
One of Alberta's favourite local boys, Drew Gregory knows how to have a good time on stage. With a combination of originals and covers, we watched Gregory introduce himself to Toronto this fall, and we know that when he gets on the SiriusXM stage at BVJ, he'll give just as entertaining a set!
Saturday
Emerson Drive - 12:00am
Emerson Drive are one of the most successful acts in the last two decades of Canadian country music. With hits and fan favourites, we've seen them put on a show that wows that crowd and facilitates a party.
And when they hit the SiriusXM Stage at midnight on Saturday, we have a feeling that they'll be doing the same thing all over again!
Nice Horse - 10:30pm
One of our favourite new bands in 2017, Nice Horse will bring talent, energy, fun, and a good time to the late night Saturday set.
If you don't know them yet, you've got time to get yourself familiar with these four ladies - because you're going to want to know them when they hit that stage!
Sunday
SiriusXM Surprise Guest - 12:00am
I mean, there's not a lot we can say about a surprise guest that we don't know anything about.
But, after an entire weekend of fantastic country music at the Big Valley Jamboree, we can comfortably tell you that we expect an artist to be announced that knows how to throw a party and make sure everyone ends their weekend with a bang after Florida Georgia Line finishes on the main stage.
