Steve Waylon

Trying to catch a country music break
Steve Waylon and the Rebel Ridge play a CCMA Showcase

For over half his life, Steve Waylon played music. Now the band frontman and guitarist wants a chance at playing music full time.

"It's been a dream all my life," Waylon said.

The Canadian Country Music Awards in Saint John might provide an avenue toward that dream.

Steve Waylon and the Rebel Ridge are one of 10 bands showcased during Country Music Week (centered around the awards) between September 8 and 11. Waylon will play September 9.

Brandi Mills, a communications and marketing representative from the Canadian Country Music Association, said the showcase will give Waylon the opportunity to play not only for other artists, but for those in the country music industry including record label representatives, music promoters, and talent bookers.

"They're all in one room at one time," said Mills. "It's an opportunity you don't get very often." Mills said past showcasers include Shania Twain and Aaron Pritchett, so there is a lot of potential to make it big. Waylon said hopefully one of those people will "catch something they like" from his set.

"It's an opportunity for me to say 'Here I am and I'm coming and I hope your ready for me,'" said Waylon.

Waylon was born and grew up in New Brunswick, and has spent all but six years of his life here. He started playing music when he was 14. He got his first gig playing drums when he was 15.

Waylon said his upbringing influenced him in his music.

"I grew up in a musical family," he said. "My dad was in bands all his life." Waylon said his father was always playing around the house.

Waylon hasn't always stuck to country. He used to play southern rock with a former band. He's toured across the country with previous bands.

He's been with his current band since January.

"We're like a huge family," he said. "We all have the same objective (to make a living out of music.)" At the end of April, Waylon and his band recorded a demo for the CCMA showcase, which they later were selected for. Waylon has been busy writing and trying to finalize more songs in the studio so the band can put out a CD. He's not sure when that will be released.

Two weeks ago, the band released their single No deposit, no return. Waylon said it's getting radio airplay on 18 country stations across Canada.

He said he hopes his near future holds a road show for him and the band.

With all that Waylon has going for him, he isn't a full-time musician yet. He was an engineering assistant recently, but now he stays home with his 16-month-old daughter while his wife returns to work during the week. Most of his gigs are on weekend nights and in New Brunswick, so looking after his daughter hasn't gotten in the way.

"We work around it," he said.

One of the challenges Waylon has encountered trying to make a living as a country musician in the Maritimes is that there's less people here, therefore less country fans at one gig, than Western Canada.

"Crowd wise in the Maritimes you have to play everything from rock to country to blues to please everyone in the crowd," he said. "Cross your fingers and hope they like it." Waylon said he's seen other fulltime musicians, and knows he has everything they have to make it to the big time.

"It's all about the passion for the music." - here Magazine

Canada's Newest Talent Chosen to Perform at Coveted Industry Showcases
National Jury taps East Coast Talent for Half
Toronto, ON – (July 14, 2006)
The Canadian Country Music Association today announced the artists selected to perform at the New Artist Showcases during Country Music Week 2006, September 8-11 to be held this year in Saint John, NB.
The New Artist Showcases give up and coming Canadian performers the opportunity to perform live in front of industry representatives from across the country and around the world. The showcases for “New Artists” will take place Friday and Saturday nights in Saint John, and will be open to the community.
Artists from across Canada were screened by a national jury of music industry experts, who chose 10 finalists for the coveted performance slots – with 5 hailing from the East Coast. Friday’s New Artist Showcase will be held September 8 at Pugsley Wharf supported by Alpine and Saturday with support from Galaxie taking place at the Delta Brunswick hotel.
Country Music Week 2006 culminates with the CCMA Awards on September 11, featuring Canada’s country stars performing on one stage. The show will air live at 8pm (8:30NT) on CBC TV across Canada, with encore airings on CMT in Canada. The broadcast will also be carried in the U.S. on Great American Country (GAC), and in Australia on CMC (Country Music Channel).
More Country Music Week details available at http://www.ccma.org
New Artist Showcase Performers:
Friday, September 8 (in order of performance) Rob Russell, Shirley Albert, Michael James and The Divorcees.
Saturday, September 8 (in order of performance) Sons of Maxwell, Eryn Hull, Steven Lee Olsen, Dan Cunningham, Shawndel and Steve Waylon: Currently residing in Fredericton, NB, this East Coast native began his music career playing with his band Southern Justice and stepping into lead vocals of Julian Austin’s band, The Austinators, now renamed the Steve Waylon band. - CCMA Press Release

Trying to catch a country music break
Steve Waylon and the Rebel Ridge play a CCMA Showcase

For over half his life, Steve Waylon played music. Now the band frontman and guitarist wants a chance at playing music full time.

"It's been a dream all my life," Waylon said.

The Canadian Country Music Awards in Saint John might provide an avenue toward that dream.

Steve Waylon and the Rebel Ridge are one of 10 bands showcased during Country Music Week (centered around the awards) between September 8 and 11. Waylon will play September 9.

Brandi Mills, a communications and marketing representative from the Canadian Country Music Association, said the showcase will give Waylon the opportunity to play not only for other artists, but for those in the country music industry including record label representatives, music promoters, and talent bookers.

"They're all in one room at one time," said Mills. "It's an opportunity you don't get very often." Mills said past showcasers include Shania Twain and Aaron Pritchett, so there is a lot of potential to make it big. Waylon said hopefully one of those people will "catch something they like" from his set.

"It's an opportunity for me to say 'Here I am and I'm coming and I hope your ready for me,'" said Waylon.

Waylon was born and grew up in New Brunswick, and has spent all but six years of his life here. He started playing music when he was 14. He got his first gig playing drums when he was 15.

Waylon said his upbringing influenced him in his music.

"I grew up in a musical family," he said. "My dad was in bands all his life." Waylon said his father was always playing around the house.

Waylon hasn't always stuck to country. He used to play southern rock with a former band. He's toured across the country with previous bands.

He's been with his current band since January.

"We're like a huge family," he said. "We all have the same objective (to make a living out of music.)" At the end of April, Waylon and his band recorded a demo for the CCMA showcase, which they later were selected for. Waylon has been busy writing and trying to finalize more songs in the studio so the band can put out a CD. He's not sure when that will be released.

Two weeks ago, the band released their single No deposit, no return. Waylon said it's getting radio airplay on 18 country stations across Canada.

He said he hopes his near future holds a road show for him and the band.

With all that Waylon has going for him, he isn't a full-time musician yet. He was an engineering assistant recently, but now he stays home with his 16-month-old daughter while his wife returns to work during the week. Most of his gigs are on weekend nights and in New Brunswick, so looking after his daughter hasn't gotten in the way.

"We work around it," he said.

One of the challenges Waylon has encountered trying to make a living as a country musician in the Maritimes is that there's less people here, therefore less country fans at one gig, than Western Canada.

"Crowd wise in the Maritimes you have to play everything from rock to country to blues to please everyone in the crowd," he said. "Cross your fingers and hope they like it." Waylon said he's seen other fulltime musicians, and knows he has everything they have to make it to the big time.

"It's all about the passion for the music." - here Magazine

Office of the Lieutenant-Governor New Brunswick
Lieutenant-Governor to host backyard party on New Brunswick Day (06/07/31)
July 31, 2006 FREDERICTON (CNB) - New Brunswickers and visitors to the province are invited to the grounds of Old Government House in Fredericton to celebrate New Brunswick Day 2006. Lt.-Gov Herménégilde Chiasson and the City of Fredericton will host events throughout the day.
This free outdoor concert will include performances from Hot Toddy, Grand Theft Bus, Minimum Wage, Downtown Blues Band, Shirley Albert, Bottoms Up, the Steve Waylon Band, and more. (Performances are weather-dependent.) Free ice cream and lemonade will be served throughout the afternoon. At 2 p.m., the lieutenant-governor will present the first annual awards for Youth in Action, Youth in Motion to honour New Brunswick's outstanding young people. At 4:30 p.m., Fredericton Mayor Brad Woodside will present the New Brunswick Day Merit Awards.
"I invite people to bring their lawn chairs, their blankets, their picnics, and to celebrate New Brunswick Day with me at Old Government House," Chiasson said. "This is an opportunity to showcase the incredible talents of New Brunswickers, to join together with your friends and neighbours and to celebrate what makes our province truly great."
For more information, listen to Fredericton Information Radio at 93.3 FM, or call 506-460-2960. - Office of the Lieutenant-Governor New Brunswick

September 8th, 2006 Saint John, NB

In conjunction with the CCMA Saint John Organization committee and the members of the Royal Kennebeccasis Yacht Club Steve Waylon had the opportunity to perform a, once-in-a-lifetime experience for a great cause.

After a continental breakfast at the RKYC, supporters strolled down to the dock to meet there skipper, an experienced captain and there personal musician. On board they where treated to snacks, refreshments and some great entertainment! They cruised, played and sang on the Saint John & Kennebecasis Rivers for a 3 hour sailboat cruise.

All funds raised supported the Boys & Girls Club of Saint John – the first Boys & Girls Club in Canada.

After returning to dock at the RKYC Steve was greeted by the press for an interview with CBC Television where he performed his current radio single No Deposit No Return. Members from his sail boat raved about his performance and what a great time they had for a great cause. Airdate for Steve’s interview was September 8th, 2006 on CBC News. - www.stevewaylon.com

Office of the Lieutenant-Governor New Brunswick
Lieutenant-Governor to host backyard party on New Brunswick Day (06/07/31)
July 31, 2006 FREDERICTON (CNB) - New Brunswickers and visitors to the province are invited to the grounds of Old Government House in Fredericton to celebrate New Brunswick Day 2006. Lt.-Gov Herménégilde Chiasson and the City of Fredericton will host events throughout the day.
This free outdoor concert will include performances from Hot Toddy, Grand Theft Bus, Minimum Wage, Downtown Blues Band, Shirley Albert, Bottoms Up, the Steve Waylon Band, and more. (Performances are weather-dependent.) Free ice cream and lemonade will be served throughout the afternoon. At 2 p.m., the lieutenant-governor will present the first annual awards for Youth in Action, Youth in Motion to honour New Brunswick's outstanding young people. At 4:30 p.m., Fredericton Mayor Brad Woodside will present the New Brunswick Day Merit Awards.
"I invite people to bring their lawn chairs, their blankets, their picnics, and to celebrate New Brunswick Day with me at Old Government House," Chiasson said. "This is an opportunity to showcase the incredible talents of New Brunswickers, to join together with your friends and neighbours and to celebrate what makes our province truly great."
For more information, listen to Fredericton Information Radio at 93.3 FM, or call 506-460-2960. - Office of the Lieutenant-Governor New Brunswick

September 9th, 2006 Saint John, NB

Steve Waylon and Rebel Ridge wowed a packed Delta Ballroom Saturday night with a high energy kickin’ performance. The CCMA New Artist Showcase gives performers a unique opportunity to showcase there talents in front of members of the music industry from across Canada. Steve’s 20 minute performance was packed with his current radio single as well as 2 more new original tunes and completed the set with a couple of high energy covers, leaving the audience wanting more. Members of the audience showed their appreciation with a standing ovation. - www.stevewaylon.com

September 9th, 2006 Saint John, NB

Sennheiser in conjunction with the Canadian Country Music Association sponsored an open mic late night kitchen party. This event allowed for members of the audience to get up on stage and perform one song for the packed audience. After just finishing a high energy New Artist Showcase Steve Waylon and Rebel Ridge continued to entertain at the audience. Steve and the band played there current Radio single “No Deposit No Return” to a packed room where the audience where dancing in, and out, of their seats. - www.stevewaylon.com

September 9th, 2006 Saint John, NB

Steve Waylon and Rebel Ridge wowed a packed Delta Ballroom Saturday night with a high energy kickin’ performance. The CCMA New Artist Showcase gives performers a unique opportunity to showcase there talents in front of members of the music industry from across Canada. Steve’s 20 minute performance was packed with his current radio single as well as 2 more new original tunes and completed the set with a couple of high energy covers, leaving the audience wanting more. Members of the audience showed their appreciation with a standing ovation. - www.stevewaylon.com

Local country musician Steve Waylon will be embarking on an exciting trip to Switzerland in February.
Mr. Waylon has been invited to attend the 23rd Annual International Country Music Festival in Zurich, Switzerland to be held on Feb. 10th and 11th. His back up band Rebel Ridge will also be accompanying him.
Last September Steve Waylon was invited to do the Showcase for the Canadian Country Music Awards held in Saint John and was also invited to the Nominee press release show for the National Press. Press attended this show from all parts of Canada as well as the Eastern US and Nashville.
Mr. Waylon said, “The Nominee Press Release Show gave me great exposure and a lot of promoters attended the Show Case performance.”
“I have been trying to break into the European Market. They are very good to Canadians.”
Steve Waylon and back up band Rebel Ridge will give five performances at the Country Music Festival in Switzerland. “It is an awesome opportunity and it sounds like a lot of fun. We will be performing in front of crowds raging from 5,000 to 15,000.”
Steve’s music is a new driven country sound of upbeat country rock.
His debute single, “No Deposit – No Return” has placed 65 on the Canada Top 100 and is still driving the charts.
Steve is currently working on his debute album and it will be released in the very near future. When released, the CD will be available at HMV stores and hopefully local stores in the Grand Lake area. Steve has played at various venues in the Grand Lake Area. The past several years he has played during the Minto Coal Mining Festival and at the Douglas Harbor Mud Dance. He says, “I would like to have an opportunity to perform in Chipman.”

If you would like to hear his debute song “No Deposit – No Return, check him out at the Minto Legion on February 3rd and wish him well for his tour in Switzerland.

Steve Waylon spent a lot of his childhood years in Chipman. He is the son of Henry and Evangeline.
We wish him much success in Switzerland. - Grand Lake Mirror

The Steve Waylon Band will be performing February 10th and February 11th, 2007 at the 23 Annual Albisguetli Country Festival in Zürich Switzerland.

Fredericton New Brunswick's favourite Country performer and band will be performing during the opening weekend of the 23rd annual Albisguetli Country Festival in Zürich Switzerland.

Steve says “We are more than excited to have the opportunity to bring our unique "Driven Country" sound to Europe. Meeting and making new musical friends and fans with the possibility of being able to tour throughout Europe in the near future, is a major goal for myself and the band. I feel that I have a super strong group of musicians behind me. We are also looking forward to learning and experiencing more about country music and its fans in Switzerland. I have always been fascinated about Switzerland and now I am going to be able to see it and experience it first hand.”

It is sure to be a very exciting experience for Steve and the band and they are particularly looking forward to playing for the American Breakfast on the second morning. “We can't wait!”

This will certainly be another hi-light in Steve and the Bands career path. They are still excited about the wonderful reception received after performing an outstanding Showcase performance at Canadian Country Music Week last September. “We look forward to having more opportunities to showcase our own material as well as some of Country Music's standards at more shows throughout 2007”.

Steve and the band are looking forward to meeting everyone Feb 10 & 11 at the 23rd annual Albisguetli Country Festival come by and introduce yourselves to the band and myself.
- www.stevewaylon.com

Local country musician Steve Waylon will be embarking on an exciting trip to Switzerland in February.
Mr. Waylon has been invited to attend the 23rd Annual International Country Music Festival in Zurich, Switzerland to be held on Feb. 10th and 11th. His back up band Rebel Ridge will also be accompanying him.
Last September Steve Waylon was invited to do the Showcase for the Canadian Country Music Awards held in Saint John and was also invited to the Nominee press release show for the National Press. Press attended this show from all parts of Canada as well as the Eastern US and Nashville.
Mr. Waylon said, “The Nominee Press Release Show gave me great exposure and a lot of promoters attended the Show Case performance.”
“I have been trying to break into the European Market. They are very good to Canadians.”
Steve Waylon and back up band Rebel Ridge will give five performances at the Country Music Festival in Switzerland. “It is an awesome opportunity and it sounds like a lot of fun. We will be performing in front of crowds raging from 5,000 to 15,000.”
Steve’s music is a new driven country sound of upbeat country rock.
His debute single, “No Deposit – No Return” has placed 65 on the Canada Top 100 and is still driving the charts.
Steve is currently working on his debute album and it will be released in the very near future. When released, the CD will be available at HMV stores and hopefully local stores in the Grand Lake area. Steve has played at various venues in the Grand Lake Area. The past several years he has played during the Minto Coal Mining Festival and at the Douglas Harbor Mud Dance. He says, “I would like to have an opportunity to perform in Chipman.”

If you would like to hear his debute song “No Deposit – No Return, check him out at the Minto Legion on February 3rd and wish him well for his tour in Switzerland.

Steve Waylon spent a lot of his childhood years in Chipman. He is the son of Henry and Evangeline.
We wish him much success in Switzerland. - Grand Lake Mirror