Caffeine & Big Dreams – Kira Isabella at the 2014 CNE

By Phjoshua @thereviewsarein

Friday night wasn’t our first chance to see Kira Isabella – but it was the first time that we were able to make it happen. And I am really glad that we did!

From the moment that the 20 year old from Ottawa took the stage in her strapless Johnny Cash top, sparkly hot pants, black tights and awesome boots (I’m going to go ahead and call it Outlaw Glam) she was into the show, ready to go and the crowd was in for a treat.

Early in her set Kira made me a very happy country music fan when she played Real Good Radio, I’ve had a soft spot for that song since the first time I heard it on the my radio. The early part of the set also included Shake It If Ya Go It, which will be a song that Kira can play for the next 15 years to get the ladies in the crowd dancing – and I’m sure she will.

Note: The set also reminded me that I owe Kira Isabella a big thank you for her help a few months ago. We were at the Rock N’ Horse preview night and in an intense moment of trivia, with the entire bar staring at me for my own question – Kira rescued me when my mind went blank and I could only remember 2 hits by the great Dolly Parton. So here is me saying thank you again to Kira for mouthing “Jolene” at me!

Ms. Isabella has some serious pipes and belted out her first single, Love Me Like That, followed by her latest hit, Quarterback. There was a lot of singing along at her request – but it was going to happen anyway.

And then she blew us all away with a killer medley that started with OneRepublic’s Counting Stars, moved into Johnny and June’s Jackson, then Magic’s Rude, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s classic Fishin’ In The Dark and then, out of nowhere, but with a warning that we might not be ready for it, Kira Isabella started rapping Macklemore’s Can’t Hold Us – and she nailed it. I love live medleys and Kira’s was a good one.

The set wrapped up with a track from her upcoming album Caffeine & Big Dreams (coming October 14, 2014 – check your iTunes) co-written by Canadian Deric Ruttan, Gone Enough – video coming soon to CMT. And last for the night was Hey Love, another from the new album, that after last night I’m excited for.

Great job by Kira – and thank you to Trish for the pics, you can see more from Friday night on her blog HERE!

Stay awesome!