Wow, not really sure what else to say. Saturday night Tim Hicks and the boys played the final show of the Get A Little Crazy Tour. Tim's very first headlining tour. Now if you follow me on Facebook you may have seen a post from earlier today. I have seen Tim countless times. From the mall show two years ago to Bala, Boots & Hearts and of course the Riser tour to name a few of the highlight performances but Saturday in Oshawa was a whole new level of Tim Hicks the entertainer.
Having seen the show last week in Guelph in a smaller club setting and then the transition to the big boy stage at the GM Centre in Oshawa. I would have to say Tim needs to play that big boy stage more often. Don't get me wrong the small shows are a great experience, but when you have room to move and really engage with the crowd (T-Shirt Gun and all) it really makes a difference.
Things kicked off with Jason Benoit, now if you have been following us on any of our social media platforms you would know we have had a chance to see Jason play a few times over the the last 2 weeks. Last night you could tell he was just loving' the crowd singing along and having a blast. The band feed off that and put in a heck of a set. I really have to say I think this guy is one of Canada's top new country artists. Hard to believe that it was only a month ago these guys got together to perform in a rehearsal studio for a couple days and then hit the road on a national tour and come together so quickly and to sound so tight was awesome to hear and see. These guys are a very talented group of artists and can't wait to see them do it again soon. With a new album coming in early 2016 I know we will be seeing more of Mr. Benoit in the coming months.
Up next the boys from Cold Creek County. And boy oh boy did the BIG stage ever suite these fellas. Right from the opening you could tell this "Hometown" show for these boys was going to be something special. If you haven't had a chance to see Cold Creek County yet I strongly suggest you get to a show soon. They bring a party each and every show. With so many great personalities present on the stage with Travis being so animated and Doug up on drums slaying it to his Hastings faithful it was one hell of a show. Not often you get to see so many talented artist on one stage let alone in one band.
The highlight of the set was easily again When The Wheels Come Off. It is just such an anthem feel in a live show it's hard not to want to sing along. I have to wonder what if feels like to be a fairly new band just cuttin' it's teeth on a tour with such a great entertainer like Tim Hicks and hearing a crowd and I don't mean a few people I am talking a packed house sing your song back to you is pretty surreal I am sure. And I have to tell a quick story during Tim's set there was a woman and her grandson sitting right behind me and the two were having an amazing time that was evident in the dancing in their seats. Well, Doug (Drummer for CCC) notices the two and brings the young lad over a drumstick and says a little something for inspiration. Classy and I have to steal a line from another artist but A Little Bit Goes A Long Way and that little bit will stay with that young lad forever.
Up next...
The man of the hour, Tim Hicks took to the stage with a packed house screaming from the moment he struck the first chord on his Martin Guitar. Big shows aren't new to Tim but seeing the GM Centre packed to the brim with everyone there to see him on this, his final night of the Get A Little Crazy tour had to of felt pretty special. As mentioned before Tim is one hell of an entertainer and tonight he had a few more tricks up his sleeve. As you know I don't do the song by song break down because well that is kinda of boring in my opinion. So here are my highlights...Let's start with Tim's new toy. Not sure who's idea it was but it was a beauty, a T-Shirt Bazooka. How cool is that...Well played & the fans loved it!
And that little gadget sent some really happy people home with something a little extra on their backs. The first shot out of the gate was a little weak (Short hop into the Photo Pit) Nicole of Canadian Beats was kind enough to pass the shirt back to Tim so he could Re-Load and send it into the crowd and boy did it go!
So that was a really cool new fun thing to see. The next big surprise came towards the end of the night and may actually be my favourite part of the entire night. Mr. Jeff Coplan of Blackjack Billy fame joined Tim on stage to sing a couple tracks and it was the heart felt hug that Jeff gave Tim as he took the stage that really had me get a little emotional in the stands. For those not as familiar with the background stuff Jeff and Tim have been working together for awhile now and Jeff actually produced both of Tim's albums and also has some writing credits as well on both albums. So seeing these guys give a hug in front of a packed arena knowing that a show like this was a dream they both had back in early 2013 was pretty cool. I am still sticking with my guns on favourite song though, Underdog is just awesome live. And with that, Tim I can't wait for you to Shock The World cause buddy it was evident last night this ride isn't slowing down anytime soon! #BuckleUp
Oh... on a side note for those that are big Boots and Hearts fans Tim may have eluded that he will be playing Boots & Hearts next year. So grab those tickets fast cause he may just reunite with his buddy Dierks for one hell of a night in Oro!
Corey Kelly / @CoreyKelly76
Well if your reading this you must really be bored... So I was born and raised in a small town and have a thirst for good Canadian Whiskey and amazing Country Music.
