Canadian Country Music Week 2018 offered a lot of great music for fans in Hamilton, ON - including awesome showcases on stage at the CCMA Fan Village. On Saturday afternoon we all got a treat as Universal Music Canada brought some of their great country music talent to the stage to play for the assembled fans.
While folks made their way to the stage from the radio tents, food trucks, and bar - Emily Reid started the music that would continue with East Adelaide, Jade Eagleson, The Reklaws, and Chad Brownlee. Fans were close, the music was good, and even if there was a fall feel to the breezy cool air, everyone was having a good time.
Note: Unfortunately we weren't able to catch Chad Brownlee's set as we had to get ready for Saturday night's CCMA Gala, but we've heard that he was awesome and we can't wait to see him soon.
We had the chance not too long ago to see The Reklaws, Jade Eagleson, and Emily Reid in Toronto at Rock 'N' Horse Saloon. It was a hot sweaty night at the Budweiser Country Throwdown - check it out → The 2018 Budweiser Country Throwdown - The Reklaws, Emily Reid, and Jade Eagleson!
The present and the future of Canadian country music are bright, and on Saturday afternoon we had the chance to be reminded of it. And we were very happy to have been there for it!
Emily Reid
Emily Reid started the showcase and did it in style. We knew coming in that her upbeat energy is infectious, so it was no surprise to see the crowd loving on her nearly immediately. And with songs like Middle Fingers and The Right One in her short set, Emily made sure that people will be ready to hear more from her in the very near future.
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East Adelaide
As the breezy afternoon continued, we caught the stage debut of East Adelaide!
These three dudes, all with experience and success in the industry hit the stage looking like a traditional rock and roll three-piece. They had the black ripped jeans, t-shirts, and leather jacket thing on lock, and when they played, it was all we could have hoped for. Frontman Mike Robins, ripped on his guitar (as we know he can do) and belted out the band's upcoming debut single, You Don't Get To Love Me. Get ready to hear that one at country radio soon!
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Jade Eagleson
Following East Adelaide was 2017 Boots & Hearts Emerging Artist Showcase winner Jade Eagleson!
Eagleson hit the stage ready to roll, and the fans were ready for him. His deep voice caught the ears and attention of the crowd as he belted out Still Gonna Be You, which we can't wait to hear at Canadian country radio. But the loudest cheers and singing along came when young Mr. Eagleson started singing his debut single, the Top 30 track, Got Your Name On It. The reception to the song was fantastic. We know he loved it. We loved it too.
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The Reklaws
The Reklaws were next on stage, and the last act we caught on the day. And as endings go (for us), this one was a banger.
In the quick three-song set the crowd heard Jenna and Stuart roll through their brand new single, Feels Like That, as well as Missing You, and their smash hit, Long Live The Night. The reception to their entrance on stage, all three of their songs, and their energy was amazing.
Note: At the end of the set a young boy in a black cowboy hat was trying to catch Jenna's attention to give her a rose. We tried to help during Long Live The Night, but it didn't work. But, we caught the singer right after she got off stage, told her that he was coming to the gate, and she met him (and his mom), he got to give her the flower, and we're pretty sure that little dude's day was officially made. And that's what music is all about!
We've been watching this brother and sister duo for the last few years as they've worked and worked to make their way to bigger stages and country radio. And to see them shine during Canadian Country Music Week was special. To do it in front of fans and friends and family must have been special for them too. But it didn't end there... Just over 24 hours after we saw The Reklaws on the CCMA Fan Village stage, they took home the SiriusXM Rising Star Award during the Canadian Country Music Awards show. We smiled, felt happy for them, and even proud, knowing that this is a huge step in the journey they are on.
The Reklaws closed their set with Long Live The Night, the crowd got loud, louder than they'd been all day to that point. They started singing, they screamed, they put smiles all over the faces of Jenna and Stuart Walker. It was a goosebump kind of moment. The kind of moment that only live music can make.
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The Reklaws, Feels Like That
