Hi readers! most of you know that I was lucky enough to be given the features assignment for the 5th Annual Riverside Jam. This is the first article that appears in the Carleton Place Canadian. I will scan and post when I have the hard copy tomorrow. There are three articles in total.
This one is 'general overview'. All photos are taken by me.
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I could hardly believe my luck, but the evidence was hanging around my neck.
All Access. Riverside Jam 2008
A lover of country music since I was a teenager, I was really looking forward to the 5th annual music festival presented by the Diamond Foundation. The line-up of talent was phenomenal, and I couldn’t wait to scream and stomp my feet with the rest of the crowds as we swayed to the talented notes flowing from their instruments
Ambush took the stage and brought an energetic show we are all used to seeing from them by now. Their talent and energy makes even the most proprietary of feet start moving. You just can’t help but dance to Ambush. Maybe that’s why they’ve garnered a Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) nod with an award nomination for Group or Duo of the year.
Jason Blaine came after Ambush, a Pembroke man that has a CD and the recognition of his music peers as a man to watch. His voice is smooth and his lyrics catching. If you ever get a chance to meet him as I did, be sure to ask him how he came up with the song “My First Car”. But point your camera fast, because Blaine is a busy man and rarely stands still.
Brad Johner took the stage after Blaine. His pop-country sound revved the crowd until many were standing and dancing along with the music. It didn’t matter that the rain kept falling. We were wet, we were singing and dancing. We were having fun.
Saturday brought much of the same as far as weather goes. When asked if the rain bothered them, several concert-goers responded at once with “What rain?” Gotta love the constitution of country music lovers.
Local talent, the Mississippi Girls could indeed bring a tear to a glass eye with their perfect harmony. Along with so much more local talent, we should be so proud of our Canadian songsters. Canada truly rocks the country vibe.
Saturday night brought The Good Brothers, Gord Bamford and Lorrie Morgan. It was obvious that the fans choice was Gord Bamford (15 CCMA nominations this year). Even over Lorrie Morgan’s classic songs and sultry voice, Gord brought it to Lanark County and left the crowd dizzy from demanding more.
Sunday, the highlights were billed as The Bowes Brothers, Tommy Cash and Mark Chesnutt. But again, our local talent leaves its mark, from Johnny Spinks and Coolwater to Greg Hanna, you could barely catch your breath before more wonderful music hit your ears.
Tommy Cash did his brother Johnny proud. Mark Chesnutt sang his heart out and joked with the crowd, singing one after the other of his multitude of chart-topping hits. We sang along, loving every minute of it.
It’s a great thing that the Mick Armitage Band stayed around until 1:00 a.m. every night to allow us to continue our partying ways. When in Lanark County . . .
