Bring your cowboy boots and hat and help us celebrate! We’re holding our very first Western Roundup charity concert in honour of being selected the Centennial Wine for the Calgary Stampede’s 100th anniversary! Rustle up your friends and mosey on over to Township 7’s picturesque South Langley winery. The lineup of Country and Indie Acts includes:
Jet Black
An indie pop singer songwriter from Vancouver, Jet (aka Jessica Mailhot) is a former Langley resident and 2008 graduate of Langley Fine Arts School. She is currently recording her very first EP to be released in 2012. The winner of a recent “Restaurant Has Talent” competition, Jet was awarded the $1,000 prize, then promptly turned around to perform at a fundraiser for the 2nd place competitor, Lisa Nicole, in order to help the country-rock singer/songwriter get to Nashville to record her own first album. Jet’s warm, generous spirit, along with her upbeat original sort of energy and style makes her so much fun to watch and listen to. Check her out online at www.jetblackmusic.ca and on youtube at www.youtube.com/jetangerine.
Cory Hawthorne
Cory Hawthorne is a Canadian-based guitarist, singer and songwriter. Describing his style as “North Americana”, his songs are marked by the influences of Hank Williams Sr., Buddy Miller, Dwight Yoakam, the Beatles and AC/DC. Inspired by the guitar slinging of James Burton, Albert Lee and Brad Paisley, Cory is an accomplished, some would say extroverted, guitarist who loves to entertain with the six-string. Equally at home chickin’ pickin’ as he is shredding, Cory isn’t afraid of fusing Jimi Hendrix and Eddie Van Halen rock chaos into his twangy, Jerry Reed-inspired licks. With the release of his debut solo album “The King of the Broken Hearts“, he has blended the best of his country and rock influences into a combination that is equal parts big twangy guitars, rocking drums, strong melodies and honest, heartfelt lyrics.
Blake Havard
Blake Havard is a Vancouver singer/songwriter. As a youngster growing up near Edmonton, Blake listened to the Beatles, David Bowie, and the Rolling Stones. When Blake speaks of his consuming passion for rock ‘n’ roll, he uncoils a bundle of raw energy that is matched only when he is onstage fronting his own band and playing the music he loves. He has just completed recording some new songs with singer songwriter/producer Pete Droge, which are very organic sounding and have a lot of soul. Havard and Droge hit it off right from the start having many of the same musical influences. “These songs pack a lot of emotion and they are really getting a great response live.” Blake is well versed in progressive rock and owned a copy of ‘Never Mind the Bollocks Here’s the Sex Pistols’, but he always returns to the kind of song that borrows from the grand tradition of Chuck Berry, the Stones and John Lennon. You can hear Blake’s love of and reverence for great rock ‘n’ roll in Wanted to Believe You, Dead Man Walking, Wave Goodbye and Follow it Down from his upcoming CD.
Trevor Murray
Langley’s own Trevor Murray previously lead the Murray Band to a nomination for Traditional Country Artist of the Year at the 2010 BC Country Music Awards, and is currently focused on his solo career. He is a two time winner of the JRfm New Country Challenge with singles “Can’t Leave You Behind” and “Greatest Present of All”. After recording his new album, “Leave it Up to Me”, down in Nashville, he is back and and starting to draw some real attention. He has shared the stage with some great local artists like Todd Richard, Karen Lee Batten, Brent Lee, and Crystal Shawanda.
Todd Richard
Todd is a unique and exciting new talent on the BC country music scene. From beginnings on CMT Canada’s ‘Karaoke Star’ to performing at the CCMA Kick Off Party (2009) in Vancouver, Todd definitely stands out from the crowd. He has garnered nominations from BCCMA in Album Of The Year (2011), Fan’s Choice (2011), Gaylord Wood Traditional Country (2011), Male Vocalist Of The Year (2011), Ray McAuley Horizon Award (2011), SOCAN Songwriter Of The Year (2011) and a win for BCCMA Website Of The Year (2011). And Todd’s 2012 is starting off with a real bang opening shows for Canadian greats such as Gord Bamford, Victoria Banks & many more. A Country/Rocker with a ‘big voice’, Todd’s powerful vocals and unmistakable look have fans everywhere taking notice – and lovin’ what they see and hear! For more information on Todd and to see his debut video and listen to his album please visit www.toddrichard.ca.
Experience this unique once in a 100 year event with us in support of the Fibromyalgia Well Spring Foundation, a charity whose goal is to provide health, education, food and recreational facilities to Fibromyalgia sufferers. Tickets are only $20 and are available online or call 250-770-1743. Learn more about all our Western Roundup festivities, limited edition Stampede Centennial Selection wine, and see winemaker videos at www.township7.com/stampede.