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OSHAWA -- On this Thanksgiving weekend Terri Clark reminds us how much there is to be grateful for in this country.
The 2011 CCMA female artist of the year winner played the General Motors Centre Saturday, Oct. 8. She took time out to speak about her experiences in Nicaragua with World Vision and encouraged those in attendance to sign up and sponsor a child at an information booth set up. Clark spoke about the poverty she witnessed and how lucky those born in North America really are.
It was one of only two sombre moments during the concert, which was really a full-on Saturday night party. Clark on stage is the type of woman you don't bring home to mother but you'd swell with respect if Daddy did. She is Thelma plus Louise, the whole kit-kicking kaboodle with a set that began with the bang of Wrecking Ball from her new album on BareTrack Records, Roots and Wings. Over the course of the night she and her five-piece backing band played a selection from her 16-year career catalogue including Dirty Girl, Better Things To Do, When Boy Meets Girl, Emotional Girl, Girls Lie Too... one can gather she was really playing to the ladies in the audience.
Bettina Horton of Oshawa, seated in the fifth row, was one of many who enjoyed herself. "I thought it was amazing. Terri Clarke put on a fabulous show, funny, very engaging and the atmosphere was intimate. The Stellas were amazing, homegrown talent."
The Stellas were supported by a three-piece band, Rob Brown from Oshawa on drums, Ben Rutz on fiddle and Nick Czarnogorski on bass. The duo played an entertaining set of their original folk-inflected country, including their hit single Perfect and a take on The Who's Baba O'Riley. Brad Stella sent it out to those who knew him as a hard rocker in his younger days.
Opener Cadence Grace, another local act, from Whitby, sparkled during her set, not only in her choice of attire but also in her delivery and personality. The performance was unfortunately marred by a ill-timed backing track that kicked in while she was talking to the crowd. Grace has a strong voice and took control of the proceedings very quickly. Admirable overall for what was essentially her debut concert.
Clark received a standing ovation after the very personal and very poignant track Smile. Performed seated, the song struck a chord with all those present. The song, also off Roots and Wings, was written for her mom who passed away from cancer last year. The lyrics connect the pain a parent feels when they have to set their child to fly in the world with the pain the child feels when a parent is also given their wings, angel wings.
Clark returned quickly to her party hardy hat and it was all upbeat and big sky rocking out. She chatted away in between songs like she was every girl's best friend. (By night's end there were probably some folks who wished she was theirs). She mentioned how happy she was to be back in Canada and also that as she now has a cottage a short drive away she considers herself a resident of southern Ontario. The track Northern Girl in particular sang to Clark's Canadian roots, "wild and free, I've got four strong winds to carry me," a line with obvious relevance to a girl from Medicine Hat, Alberta, who moved to Nashville after high school. The encore included a blisteringly rocking take on Johnny Cash's Folsom Prison Blues and a cover of Trooper's We're Here For A Good Time.
We were and Clarke, Grace and The Stellas all delivered. - Whitby This Week
Discography
Living in our Love (single) [2011]- released to radio fall 2011.
Unbreakable (album) [2012]
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Bio
Few things in this world are forever, but young Cadence Grace is fast and
furiously proving that she intends to be one of those things!
With an unbelievable talent and the drive to match, 26 year old Cadence Grace
is carving out quite the name for herself in the country music scene. After becoming
a Canadian top ten finalist on CMT's Karaoke Star in 2009, this Whitby, Ontario native
took it as a sign to leave her current post as a pop-publishing rising star to follow her heart where her true passion lay: Country music.
Her debut record 'Unbreakable,' to be released in January 2012, was recorded in Nashville. The record features songs co-written by Cadence and award-winning songwriters from Nashville and Canada as well as songs written by some of country music's hit-makers. It also features production from Douglas Romanow. On 'Unbreakable' you'll fast find that Cadence's sweet vocals and way with words makes her capable of telling beautifully crafted stories through song that people of all walks seem to fall in love with.
Unbreakable, is a collection of these stories, of which Cadence says most are based on her own life and experiences. Her original song ideas are catchy and fresh and their crossover sound packs infectious energy and sense of realness. Each song is delivered to you with a glossy, revolutionary sound that fits Country standards but is sure to stand far out from the rest.
The first single 'Living in our Love, ' written by Cadence herself and fellow country crooner
Willie Mack, has a fun, fresh feel and a hot summer sound, with a hot video to match! Her single was released to Radio this fall, after She rocked stages all summer this year opening for heavy hitters like Dean Brody, Aaron Pritchett, One more Girl and Country superstar Terri Clark! Don’t Miss Country's newest rising star- Cadence Grace!
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