Damian Marshall

It's been a big month for country musicians in Langley, including Ginette Genereux, Shannon Lee, Emily Taylor Adams, just three of Langley's different but very talented singers who were scheduled to make an appearances at last weekend's Merritt Mountain Music Festival.

Unfortunately, for these and other artists and fans alike, that might have been the last MMMF. There's talk this week of this time-honoured event ending due to rising costs of production. Only time will tell if that's actually going to happen.

But for those who haven't overdosed on country yet, there's some local shows upcoming that are worthy of note.

Tickets go on sale Saturday, July 18 for an August concert featuring Jason Blaine and Damian Marshall.

"Double your country pleasure," said concert promoter Rob Warwick, of Rock.It Boy Entertainment.

This concert is being held at 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 14 at Cascades Casino Summit Theatre, with tickets priced at $29.50.

While Blaine (Good Day to Get Gone) may be an unknown commodity to some local country fans, Marshall is not. And these men are no strangers to each either, having collaborated in past on at least one of Marshall's songs.

Ever since Marshall released the single Fortunate One in 2001, he always seems to have another song on the radio.

He is a young and talented performer, but he is no flash in the pan, Warwick said. He is here to stay, and his third and latest album Built to Last, recorded in Nashville with JR Vautour, proved it with the two kick-off singles Where I'm Running From and That's What Love Is.

Marshall has just signed a three-album deal with Busy Music and is already performing songs from the upcoming album.

Tickets for this show are available at Cascades Casino, 20393 Fraser Hwy., or by calling 604-530-2211.

And for country fans, there's a number of up-and-coming artists performing Thursday nights at Gabby's Cabaret.



Read more: http://www.delta-optimist.com/news/Yeehaw+Overdosing+country/2834741/story.html#ixzz0sGudJ53l
- Langley Advance

After a bit of a sabbatical, Cloverdale singer and songwriter Damian Marshall is back and making a big splash in the country music scene with his new single.

Come Sundown was released to most Canadian country radio stations this week, but locals JRfm listeners were given a sneak peak - of sorts - last Friday.

Since then, Marshall said he's been overwhelmed by the incredible response.

Marshall scored numerous hits and garnered national award nominations from the Canadian Country Music Association and B.C. Country Music Association for his last CD, Built to Last (2005), but then stepped back from the industry for a while, splitting his time between truck driving and performing/songwriting.

Well, this talented recording artists recently announced he's given up trucking completely, in favour of going back to his music full-time.

He's working on a new album, and spent last November in Nashville writing and recording the first half of the CD. Come Sundown is a product of that hard work.

"It was awesome!," he said of his Nashville experience. "I am always humbled whenever I go there in the company for such talented and accomplished musicians. I learn something new every time, and this trip was no exception."

Marshall added: "I'm extremely proud of the songs that we wrote and recorded, and I can't wait to show the music fans out there."

If this is a sampling of what's to come when he unveils the new CD later this year, hang on to your cowboy hat.

"I would describe the sound of my new material as a little more Bryan Adams/Montgomery Gentry, which is so cool to me, because I have a passion for country music mixed with my rock and roll roots, and I think it speaks a lot to me," he said.

Marshall will be performing in Langley on Saturday night, this time at the Windsor Riding Stables, 25241 Fraser Hwy. Tickets are $20. The huge barn dance is being held in support of the the Bit-a-Bling Riding Team, with the cost including a buffet at 6:30 p.m. and a $2 donation to the B.C. Cancer Society.



Read more: http://www.delta-optimist.com/entertainment/Marshall+releases+single+radio/2834949/story.html#ixzz0sGvV54u9
- Langley Advance

Being nominated for the Canadian Country Music Association’s Rising Star Award, in itself, is an unbelievable thrill for Damian Marshall. To be part of the CCMA music week (Sept. 10-13) and specifically the awards ceremony at GM Place on Sunday, is extreme.

But getting to share the stage, and sing along with Canadian entertainment icon Jann Arden is off the charts, said Marshall. “This is huge… I feel so blessed,” said Marshall.

This 36-year-old Cloverdale resident, a self-taught drummer, guitarist and songwriter, has been performing in public since trying his hand at karoake as a marketing student at Calgary’s Southern Alberta Institute of Technology.

He went on to do several talent shows, singing a mix of songs before settling into the country genre. He has released his first full-length CD in 2005 called Built to Last, has several songs in regular rotation on radio stations across the country, and garnered national recognition – this is actually his second time up for the Rising Star award.

He’ll be performing his recently released single Every Time You Cross My Heart at the CCMA’s gala dinner on Friday night. Then he’s hosting a CCMA songwriters workshop Saturday night, and will be performing alongside fellow Rising Star nominees Victoria Banks, Tara Oram, and Dean Brody – and Arden – at Sunday’s televised awards.

“What a weekend it’s going to be,” he said. “It’s a huge honour. What I’m going to take from it, well, it’s going to give me exposure to a new audience that I don’t normally reach, including my peers in the music industry.”

In addition to Marshall’s performance at the Friday gala, fellow Langley singer and songwriter Emily Taylor Adams has been invited to sing two of her songs, Prove It to Me and What Would It Feel Like. The two local musicians are apparently among only three up-and-coming Canadian talents asked to perform that evening. They’ll be joined by Melanie Morgan.

Adams is also performing an acoustic set at the CCMA kickoff party at the Vancouver Aquarium Thursday.
Whiskey Jane singer Amber Locker, as well as Ginette Genereux are also part of the CCMA festivities. Eight out of 140 performers have been invited to take the stage at Thursday night’s New Artist’s Showcase, and Langley’s own Amber Locker and her band Whiskey Jane were among the chosen ones.

Here’s what the future of Canadian country music looks like, said music industry panelists who selected Shane Chisholm, Jaida Dreyer, Mike Gouchie, Heather Longstaffe, Darren McGinnis, Arlen Park, A.J. Woodworth, and Whiskey Jane to be part of this evening’s spotlight event.

Formed in 2006, Whiskey Jane has quickly become a fixture in the West Coast country scene. Locker, a 31-year-old dental hygenist as the latecomer to the group. She’s joined lead and harmony vocals, and acoustic guitarist Natalye Vivian, as well as band members Kirby Kaye, Donny Ducharme and Rafe Haines.

The group has combined their experience and talent to produce the Whiskey Jane sound the call rock ‘n’ roll in a country hat. And their album Things Left Unsaid reflects the band perfectly. And last, but not least, Langley City’s own Ginette Genereux, 27, plans to be part of the weekend full of country music festivities.

“I will be attending many of the showcases, and the main show,” she told the Langley Advance. Having travelled the globe to perform, this young country singer and songwriter will also taking to the stage during the CCMA event.

She’ll be performing at the nightly open mic night at the Fairmount Vancouver Hotel, a part of the Country Music Week festivities aimed at threading together local and national artists in a night of collaboration and new music.

It’s dubbed as an opportunity to introduce new material to peers, to entertain delegates. Genereux will be performing at 11 p.m. on Friday.

Fast facts about CCMA Awards

Vancouver is Canada’s hub for Country music this year as it prepares for Country Music Week, which began Thursday, Sept. 10 and ends Sunday, Sept.13 with the CCMA Awards at GM Place.

• CCMA Award performers:

Reba McEntire, Martina McBride, Terri Clark, George Canyon with Crystal Shawanda and Richard Marx, Doc Walker, Jessie Farrell, Aaron Pritchett, Emerson Drive, Johnny Reid, Gord Bamford, Paul Brandt and Jann Arden. There will also be special performances from Dean Brody, Victoria Banks and Tara Oram.

• CCMA Award presenters:

Martina McBride, George Canyon, Aaron Pritchett, The Higgins, Jason Blaine, One More Girl, Paul McGuire, Jillian Harris (from “The Bachelorette”), Amber Marshall and Graham Wardle (from the cast of CBC’s “Heartland”), The Wilsons, Shane Yellowbird, Patricia Conroy, Deric Ruttan, Jason McCoy, Colin James, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Hey Romeo and Ultimate Fan, Richard DeJonge.

• CCMA Awards’ leading nominees:

Johnny Reid (six), George Canyon (five), Victoria Banks (five), Dean Brody and Gord Bamford (four).

• CCMA awards host:

Act - Langley Advance

2009 CCMA Awards Nominees

FANS' CHOICE AWARD
George Canyon | Doc Walker | Jessie Farrell | Aaron Pritchett | Johnny Reid

SINGLE OF THE YEAR
A Woman Like You - Johnny Reid
Brothers - Dean Brody
Just Like You - George Canyon
Little Guy - Gord Bamford
The Wheel - Victoria Banks

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Dance With Me - Johnny Reid
Dawn Of A New Day - Crystal Shawanda
Thankful - Aaron Pritchett
What I Do - George Canyon
When You Can Fly - Victoria Banks

SONGWRITER(S) OF THE YEAR
A Woman Like You (written by Johnny Reid / Brent Maher; recorded by Johnny Reid)
Brothers (written by Dean Brody; recorded by Dean Brody)
Little Guy (written by Gord Bamford; recorded by Gord Bamford)
One Last Sundown (written by Jon Mabe /Chris Thorsteinson / Dave Wasyliw; recorded by Doc Walker)
The Wheel (written by Victoria Banks / Tia Sillers; recorded by Victoria Banks)

CMT VIDEO OF THE YEAR
A Woman Like You - Johnny Reid
Brothers - Dean Brody
Go To Bed Angry - Tara Oram
Just Like You - George Canyon
Little Guy - Gord Bamford

FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Victoria Banks | Terri Clark | Jessie Farrell | Tara Oram | Crystal Shawanda

MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Gord Bamford | Jason Blaine | Paul Brandt | George Canyon | Johnny Reid

GROUP OR DUO OF THE YEAR
Doc Walker | Emerson Drive | Hey Romeo | The Higgins | Jo Hikk

ROOTS ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
Ridley Bent | Shane Chisholm | The Higgins | Corb Lund | Mike Plume Band

RISING STAR
Victoria Banks | Dean Brody | Jo Hikk | Damian Marshall | Tara Oram

2009 CCMA All-Star Band Award Nominees

DRUMS
Matthew Atkins (Jason Blaine)
Mark Branconnier (Gord Bamford)
Steve Broadhurst (Doc Walker)
Adam Dowling (George Canyon)
Jesse Godin (Jessie Farrell)

BASS
Joe Butcher (George Canyon)
John Dymond (Various)
Ryland Haggis (Jessie Farrell)
Sue Levesque (Gord Bamford)
Brent Pearen (Doc Walker)

GUITAR
Jason Barry (Various)
Paul Chapman (Beverley Mahood)
Matt McKay (Gord Bamford)
Murray Pulver (Doc Walker)
Jesse Tucker (Jessie Farrell)

KEYBOARDS
Mike Little (George Canyon)
Bart McKay (Various)
Mike Norman (Aaron Pritchett)
Rob Shapiro (Hey Romeo)
Dale Wallace (Emerson Drive)

FIDDLE
Denis Dufresne (Various)
Shane Guse (Jason Blaine/George Canyon)
Donny Parenteau (Donny Parenteau)
David Pichette (Emerson Drive)
Ben Rutz (Johnny Reid)

STEEL GUITAR
Jeff Bradshaw (Gord Bamford)
Kenny Greer (The Road Hammers)
Doug Johnson (Various)
Ed Ringwald (George Canyon)
Grant Siemens (Corb Lund)

SPECIAL INSTRUMENT
Shane Chisholm - Stand Up Bass (Shane Chisholm)
Denis Dufresne - Mandolin (Deric Ruttan)
Eileen Higgins - Mandolin (The Higgins)
Mike Norman - Saxophone (Johnny Reid)
Curtis Tulman - Harmonica (The Cruzeros)

2009 CCMA Industry Award Nominees

MANAGEMENT COMPANY OF THE YEAR
Big Ride Management | O'Reilly International Entertainment Management
RGK Entertainment Group Inc. | Simkin Artist Management | Stark Ravings

BOOKING AGENCY OF THE YEAR
The Agency Group | Cressman Sakamoto Agency | LiveTourArtists
Matomo Entertainment Corp. | Paquin Entertainment

TALENT BUYER OR PROMOTER OF THE YEAR
Kelly Berehulka (Casinos of Winnipeg) | Jan Campbell (Calgary Stampede) |
Jim Cressman (Cressman Sakamoto Agency) | Ron Sakamoto (Gold & Gold Productions Ltd.)
Larry Werner (Big Valley Jamboree)

COUNTRY CLUB OF THE YEAR
Cook County Saloon - Edmonton, AB | Gabby's Country Cabaret - Langley, BC
The Pump Roadhouse - Regina, SK | Ralph's Texas Bar and Steakhouse - Medicine Hat, AB
Ranchman's Cookhouse and Dancehall - Calgary, AB

ALBUM DESIGN OF THE YEAR
Susan Michalek/Christopher Wadsworth - Chasing The Sun (Tara Oram)
Dave Gouveia - Gettin' There (Diane Chase)
Patrick Duffy/Rob Waymen - Unmistakable (Beverley Mahood)
Garnet Armstrong/Mark Maryanovich - What I Do (George Canyon)
Patrick Duffy/Rob Waymen - What's Your Story (Darren McGinnis)

WEBSITE OF THE YEAR
docwalker.ca (Doc Walker) - Ashley Harms/Tim Neufeld/House of Bands, Webmasters
georgecanyon.com (George Canyon) - Wendy Gilmour/Torne White, Webmasters
paulbrandt.com (Paul Brandt) - Dale Manning, Webmaster
taraoram.com (Tara Oram) - Ashley Harms /Tim Neufeld/House of Bands, Webmasters
victoriabanks.net (Victoria Banks) - Creative Juices, Webmaster

VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Warren P. Sonoda, Director - Go To Bed Angry (Tara Oram)
Colin Minihan, Director - Just Like You (George Canyon)
Stephano Barberis, Director - Little Guy (Gord Bamford)
Warren P. Sonoda, Director - My Kind Of Radio (Jo Hikk)
Stephano Barberis, Director - Second Hand Car (The Higgins)

MUSIC PUBLISHING COMPANY OF THE YEAR
BPM Entertainment Corp. | Grand & Gee Music Group | ole
Royalty Music Publishing Inc. | Universal Music Publishing Group

RECORD PRODUCER(S) OF THE YEAR
Carolyn Dawn Johnson/Phil O'Donnell/Chris Perry/Murray Pulver, Producers - Chasing The Sun (Tara Oram)
Jason Barry, Producer - Gettin' There (Diane Chase)
Dean Maher/Mitch Merrett/M - CCMA