2021 Performers

GORD BAMFORD

Alberta - Multi Award Winning Singer/Songwriter, #1 Hits - Dive Bar & When Your Lips Are So Close (Gord Bamford)

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Alberta-raised Gord Bamford, stands as one of the most decorated artists in Canadian country music with an impressive 26 Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) awards, multi JUNO nominations and the only two-time winner of Nashville’s Country Music Association (CMA) Global Country Artist of the Year award.

GORD BAMFORD

Alberta-raised Gord Bamford, stands as one of the most decorated artists in Canadian country music with an impressive 26 Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) awards, multi JUNO nominations and the only two-time winner of Nashville’s Country Music Association (CMA) Global Country Artist of the Year award.

It is his distinctive sound and songwriting ability that defines Gord Bamford as one of country music’s best neotraditional artists. Like so many others that have come before him, Bamford is just not an overnight success. He has spent the better part of the last 20 years honing his craft & working hard to get where he is today.

Bamford's highly anticipated 10th studio album Diamonds in a Whiskey Glass is set to release early 2021. His last album Neon Smoke, was released in early 2018 containing the smash #1 chart topper Dive Bar and follows his Tin Roof album, winner of the 2016 CCMA ‘Album of The Year’. Tin Roof, nominated for the 2016 JUNO Country Album of The Year, follows the Juno Nominated Country Junkie album and it’s #1 hit song ‘When Your Lips Are So Close’. He is a 3-time CCMA ‘Male Artist of the Year’

Gord is a man who believes with his whole heart in giving back. The Gord Bamford Charitable Foundation has generated over $4 million since its inception in 2008 for children’s charities such as the Make-A-Wish-Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, Big Brothers & Big Sisters, numerous children’s hospitals across Canada and
MusiCounts. That humble, likeable approach is what continues to draw legions of new fans to Gord Bamford's legacy.

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ALAN FREW

Toronto - Grammy nominated, Juno Award winning, multi-platinum Singer/Songwriter, Don't Forget Me (When I'm Gone) & Someday (Glass Tiger)

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Alan Frew is a multi-platinum selling songwriter, public speaker and author of the best-selling book ‘The Action Sandwich-A Six Step Recipe to Success by Doing What You’re Already Doing’. His work with Glass Tiger has garnered him five Juno Awards, a Grammy nomination and five Canadian Classic Awards in recognition of songs that have been played in excess of 100,000 times on Canadian Radio.

ALAN FREW

Alan Frew is a multi-platinum selling songwriter, public speaker and author of the best-selling book ‘The Action Sandwich-A Six Step Recipe to Success by Doing What You’re Already Doing’. His work with Glass Tiger has garnered him five Juno Awards, a Grammy nomination and five Canadian Classic Awards in recognition of songs that have been played in excess of 100,000 times on Canadian Radio. Additionally, he co-wrote, ‘I Believe’ (the theme song for CTV's coverage of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games) performed by singer(s) Nikki Yanofsky and Annie Villeneuve ( en Francais). The song became an iconic hit with Canadians from all walks of life who helped it reach the status’s of 5-times platinum and in doing so, it made Yanofsky the most “downloaded” Canadian artist at that particular time. Alan also co-wrote the title track from Johnny Reid’s Juno-Nominated album “Fire it Up”, which was, coincidentally, also recorded to platinum status in Germany, by the legendary singer, Joe Cocker. Frew has toured with massive headlining artists including, Rod Stewart, Tina Turner and Fleetwood Mac. He also loves to support, visit and perform for the Canadian Armed Forces and their allies and has done so, many times in far-off reaches such as Bosnia, Israel, Egypt, Oman, Kuwait and Afghanistan. Never one to “settle” Alan is presently working on a new book, a movie script, and a pilot for a potential new TV show. He splits his time between his homes in Toronto and Italy. You can find him on his Instagram show FREW the Looking Glass : @alan_frew

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MARC JORDAN

Toronto – Multiple Platinum Artist/Songwriter – Marina Del Rey (Marc Jordan) and Rhythm of My Heart (Rod Stewart)

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Marc was born in Brooklyn NY son of singer Charles Jordan and grew up in Toronto Canada. In 1978 Marc was signed to Warner Music in Burbank California by Steely Dan Producer Gary Katz. Jordan spent 16 years in LA writing songs for and with Diana Ross, Chicago, Kansas, Manhattan Transfer, Kenny Loggins, Amanda Marshal, Amy Sky, Bette Midler, Natalie Cole, Roch Voisin, Canadian Tenors. Shawn Colvin, Sheena Easton, Olivia Newton John, Joe Cocker, Bonnie Raitt, Josh Groban, Cher and Rod Stewart including the world wide #1 hit Rhythm of My Heart.

MARC JORDAN

Marc was born in Brooklyn NY son of singer Charles Jordan and grew up in Toronto Canada. In 1978 Marc was signed to Warner Music in Burbank California by Steely Dan Producer Gary Katz. Jordan spent 16 years in LA writing songs for and with Diana Ross, Chicago, Kansas, Manhattan Transfer, Kenny Loggins, Amanda Marshal, Amy Sky, Bette Midler, Natalie Cole, Roch Voisin, Canadian Tenors. Shawn Colvin, Sheena Easton, Olivia Newton John, Joe Cocker, Bonnie Raitt, Josh Groban, Cher and Rod Stewart including the world wide #1 hit Rhythm of My Heart. Jordan has won numerous ASCAP, Juno, Socan and Smooth Jazz awards over the years. His songs have been on 35 million CD’s and he has recorded 16 CD’s of his own material which gave us MARINA DEL REY, SURVIVAL, CHARLIE PARKER LOVES ME and SOUL ON SOUL which was a duet with wife AMY SKY. Yet Jordan has always loved singing the American song book. The great songs of the mid 20th century and so finally he’s made that leap. On his new cd “BOTH SIDES “Jordan recorded with the Prague Symphony. Songs like “THE NEARNESS OF YOU” and “WHAT ARE YOU DOING THE REST OF YOUR LIFE” are sprinkled in with Joni Mitchel's “BOTH SIDES NOW” and Lou Reids master piece “WALK ON THE WILD SIDE”. Featuring Randy Brecker on trumpet this cd is both cool and modern and Jordan's voice drifts above it all with some of his best vocal performances ever.

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MADDISON KREBS

Okotoks, AB. - Unstoppable Rising Star. Amazing new Single “Younger Brothers”

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The singer/songwriter from Alberta, Canada received her first guitar at six and in short order, was putting her poetry to music. Her combined talent and drive destined her for a "dreams come true" life. In 2016, Maddison entered and won ‘On the Spot', an up and coming talent development contest sponsored by ole, held during Canadian Country Music week in London, Ontario. That win launched Maddison onto the next dream of moving to Nashville.

MADDISON KREBS

The singer/songwriter from Alberta, Canada received her first guitar at six and in short order, was putting her poetry to music. Her combined talent and drive destined her for a "dreams come true" life. In 2016, Maddison entered and won ‘On the Spot', an up and coming talent development contest sponsored by ole, held during Canadian Country Music week in London, Ontario. That win launched Maddison onto the next dream of moving to Nashville. 2018 found Maddison working along side some of music’s best songwriters and producers including Jeff Trott (Sheryl Crow, Stevie Nicks) and Tony Martin (Tim McGraw, Keith Urban). POP DUST says, “Maddison Krebs has one of those voices you listen to and instantly feel like you’ve known her your whole life.” Maddison’s brand new self-titled EP is now available.

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JESSICA MITCHELL

Toronto - Award Winning Singer/Songwriter - Somebody Gonna Get Hurt (Jessica Mitchell), Courage (Celine Dion) and Workin' on Whiskey (Trisha Yearwood)

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Singer-songwriter Jessica Mitchell has been lauded as ‘country’s Adele’ and likened to Sheryl Crow, and much like them, her genre-bending vocals and tone are universally appealing. She is, at heart, a storyteller– an open book, inspired by the raw honesty and storytelling nature of the genre.

JESSICA MITCHELL

Singer-songwriter Jessica Mitchell has been lauded as ‘country’s Adele’ and likened to Sheryl Crow, and much like them, her genre-bending vocals and tone are universally appealing. She is, at heart, a storyteller– an open book, inspired by the raw honesty and storytelling nature of the genre. Mitchell’s much anticipated debut album Heart of Glass, was released May 11, 2018. She has spent the last decade travelling between Toronto and Nashville, collaborating with top-notch songwriters, focusing on writing new music and crafting her richly unique sound. The record embodies powerful and soulful melodies and lyrical brilliance, while showcasing Mitchell’s vocal talent in the purest of forms – and the result is utterly and heart breakingly beautiful.

Over the course of the last two years, Mitchell has toured with iconic names across varied genres, including; Kiefer Sutherland, Royal Wood, Ron Sexsmith, Terri Clark, Bonnie Raitt. In 2018, she hit the road on a cross-country tour with Canadian icon, Johnny Reid, which is soon be book ended with tours alongside Glass Tiger and Dean Brody, on his Dirt Road Acoustic Tour. All roads have led to her first-ever solo tour which kicks-off in Calgary on November 14, and includes legendary venues such as The Great Hall in Toronto.

Mitchell’s “Workin’ on Whiskey” was the top added song to radio at the time of release. 2016 and 2017 were ground-breaking years for the rising star, which saw Mitchell snag a coveted Guild Sponsorship, take to the stage at major festivals, and honour Neil Young with a Tribute at the Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala at Massey Hall.

Mitchell believes that pain and loss are oftentimes at the heart of every relatable piece of music. As she puts it, “You’ll never see the light until it’s completely dark, and it got dark for a while.” After losing her mother to a long battle with cancer, Mitchell had her own epiphany about what kind of artist she wanted to become. Her hope is that by sharing grief, and other personal experiences through her music, she will forge genuine bonds with her audience. When listening to Mitchell’s music, she makes it very easy for you to latch on to her genuine, powerful lyrics – while making just anyone realize they are not alone.

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TIM NICHOLS

Nashville - Grammy Winner - Live Like You Were Dying (Tim McGraw)

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Inducted into the 2017 class of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, award winning songwriter, Tim Nichols, has been writing hit songs and entertaining audiences for over two decades. A veteran in the country music industry, he's become one of the genre's most respected and well liked members. He's known for an easy-going, honest manner, creative lyrics and a comedic banter onstage.

TIM NICHOLS

Inducted into the 2017 class of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, award winning songwriter, Tim Nichols, has been writing hit songs and entertaining audiences for over two decades. A veteran in the country music industry, he's become one of the genre's most respected and well liked members. He's known for an easy-going, honest manner, creative lyrics and a comedic banter onstage.

While fans of classic country music appreciate his number one hits for artists like Alan Jackson, Reba McEntire, Keith Whitley, LeeAnn Womack and multiple others, newcomers are just as thrilled about his recent work. You may recognize songs cut by Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, Chris Young or Jana Kramer when he takes the stage in a writer's show. And of course, crowd favourites include record setting hits like JoDee Messina's "Heads Carolina, Tails California", Dustin Lynch's "Cowboys and Angels" and the Grammy Award winning "Live Like You Were Dying" recorded by Tim McGraw. Nichols is a writer, and performer for all ages and never ceases in his quest to move people and touch hearts with his honest lyrics.

When not writing songs or performing, Nichols spends free time volunteering and raising funds for charitable causes such as High Hopes Pediatric Clinic and the T.J. Martell Foundation.

Nichols lives in Nashville with his wife Stacie. They are avid travelers with many of those adventures centering around bringing incredible music to those in far reaching locales.

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NEIL OSBORNE

Vancouver - Lead Singer of 54•40 - Hits include I Go Blind and Ocean Pearl

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As lead singer and chief songwriter of 54•40, Neil Osborne has achieved critical acclaim, released more than a dozen albums and weathered the fickle music business for more than three decades. He is known primarily as a rock musician but is also an accomplished producer often taking the production reins of 54•40 albums and is also a songwriter of amazing depth and clarity.

NEIL OSBORNE

As lead singer and chief songwriter of 54•40, Neil Osborne has achieved critical acclaim, released more than a dozen albums and weathered the fickle music business for more than three decades. He is known primarily as a rock musician but is also an accomplished producer often taking the production reins of 54•40 albums and is also a songwriter of amazing depth and clarity.

54.40’s body of work is impressive. After thirty years in the musical trenches, the band have varied their sound and earned proven commercial success via impressive record sales from thirteen studio albums, numerous greatest hits packages and a double live album. “One clue to 54•40’s longevity lies in their ability to make music that has a distinctly individual sound yet covers many styles - tender ballads, fiery rockers, provocative political songs, self-confessed lyrically banal romps.” Kerry Doole reported in Impact.

As a songwriter Osborne has penned such fabulous signature 54•40 songs as ‘I Go Blind’, One Day In Your Life,‘One Gun’, ‘Since When’ and ‘Ocean Pearl’’ which have crossed from the realm of rock to a broader base. His lyrics range from the most politically astute observation to the most innocent love song and everything in between.

Neil Osborne has been very active participant in the overall production of every 54•40 album. Osborne has produced several albums for other artists, most notably the award winning Small Glories, Cara Luft, Vince Vaccaro, Hearts and Wires, Paloma, Jets Overhead, Kandle (his daughter). Neil is currently wrapping up production for one of his side projects A Family Curse.

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BRYAN POTVIN

Nova Scotia - 8x Juno Nominated Singer/Songwriter - Lead Singer of The Northern Pikes - Hits include She Ain't Pretty

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Bryan Potvin is best known as a singer/songwriter, guitarist, and founding member of The Northern Pikes, the iconic Canadian rockers from Saskatoon. Bryan’s love of music began early. In the summer ‘75, at the age of 12, he worked on a potato farm in Victoria, B.C. to earn enough to buy his first guitar, a Japanese Mann Les Paul Standard.

BRYAN POTVIN

Bryan Potvin is best known as a singer/songwriter, guitarist, and founding member of The Northern Pikes, the iconic Canadian rockers from Saskatoon. Bryan’s love of music began early. In the summer ‘75, at the age of 12, he worked on a potato farm in Victoria, B.C. to earn enough to buy his first guitar, a Japanese Mann Les Paul Standard. When his family moved to Saskatchewan, he worked part-time throughout high school to feed his guitar lesson and record-buying habits. Some things never change...

The Northern Pikes formed in the winter of 1984. In 2019, they released their 14th album, Forest of Love. In 2020, they will release a roots version of their 1990 smash, Snow in June. The band has also just completed a new album for release in 2021.

In addition to the Pikes, Bryan worked as A&R Manager for Mercury Records Canada from 1994-2000. He released two solo albums: Heartbreakthrough (2001) and Heartbledwhite (2013). In 2014, He formed a new musical partnership with singer/songwriter & guitarist Kevin Kane of The Grapes Of Wrath (now also a member of The Northern Pikes). The duo released a full-length album entitled Kane & Potvin (2016). Over the last twenty-plus years, Bryan has also composed regularly for film and television.

Bryan is currently enrolled in Boston’s Berklee College of Music’s bachelor degree program, and hopes to graduate in 2022. He lives in beautiful Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, with his wife Kate.

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DAVE RAVE

Hamilton, Ontario - Lead Singer of Legendary CDN Rock Band Teenage Head - Hits include Some Kinda Fun & Let’s Shake

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Songwriter Dave Rave, lead singer for noted Canadian punk band Teenage Head, dubbed “Canada’s Nick Lowe”, has rocked the world from Hamilton, Ontario all the way to Russia. New York City-based, Rave can lay claim to being the first Canadian artist (The Dave Rave Group) signed to a Russian label (Melodiya). Teenage Head crashed onto the Canadian music scene with a couple of riotous appearances at the Last Pogo show at Toronto’s Horseshoe Tavern in 1978.

DAVE RAVE

Songwriter Dave Rave, lead singer for noted Canadian punk band Teenage Head, dubbed “Canada’s Nick Lowe”, has rocked the world from Hamilton, Ontario all the way to Russia. New York City-based, Rave can lay claim to being the first Canadian artist (The Dave Rave Group) signed to a Russian label (Melodiya). Teenage Head crashed onto the Canadian music scene with a couple of riotous appearances at the Last Pogo show at Toronto’s Horseshoe Tavern in 1978.  At that city’s Ontario Place in the summer of 1980, Teenage Head was touring their gold breakthrough album, Frantic City.  The event was over-sold and resulted in the Toronto Punk Rock Riot. That same summer, the band opened Heat Wave, the all-star punk/new wave festival at Mosport Park in Bowmanville, Ontario, in front of a crowd of 100,000. Along the way, Rave has worked with some of the music world’s elites including producer Daniel Lanois (U2, Peter Gabriel); alternative rocker, Alex Chilton (Box Tops, Big Star); Paul Hyde (The Payola$), on a North American tour called The Grand Song Caravan in the early 2000s; and ECMA winners/Juno nominees, The Trews, co-writing the band’s single, “I Can’t Say” with legendary producer, Jack Richardson (The Guess Who, Bob Seger). An enduring creative relationship with former band-mate Lauren Angelli has resulted in three Agnelli/Rave albums. In 2007 he released his second jazz-pop album, the Grammy short-listed, In the Blue of My Dreams, with Mark McCarron. In 2009, besides playing the Grey Cup and doing three tours of Europe, he worked with The Trews on the song “How’s Everything” for their Top 10 DVD.  His 2010 album, Live with What You Know, resulted in the U.S. Top 40 hit, “Anne Marie.” Rave is currently finalizing the release of his latest album, Essential, due out this fall.

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JEFF TROTT

Award-winning writer of If It Makes You Happy & Everyday is a Winding Road (Sheryl Crow)

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Trott’s roots are West Coast. He is originally from San Francisco, and his first band was post punk outfit The Lifers. He eventually joined 415/Columbia recording artists Wire Train and, in 1990, subsequently joined the UK band cult favorite World Party playing on their critically acclaimed album Goodbye Jumbo.

JEFF TROTT

Trott’s roots are West Coast. He is originally from San Francisco, and his first band was post punk outfit The Lifers. He eventually joined 415/Columbia recording artists Wire Train and, in 1990, subsequently joined the UK band cult favorite World Party playing on their critically acclaimed album Goodbye Jumbo.

Trott’s roots are West Coast. He is originally from San Francisco, and his first band was post punk outfit The Lifers. He eventually joined 415/Columbia recording artists Wire Train and, in 1990, subsequently joined the UK band cult favorite World Party playing on their critically acclaimed album Goodbye Jumbo.

In 2000, Trott recorded and produced his first solo album Dig Up The Astroturf with Portland electronic whiz kid Keith Schreiner. His reason for making a solo record was to understand “every aspect of making a record. Mastering, artwork, branding and PR in order to know firsthand what an artist goes through during the process of making a record.”

His latest “pet project” is with Canadian producer Rhys Fulber on a new project featuring Zero 7 singer Tom Leonard and songwriting genius Victoria Horn a.ka Lady V.

Currently, Trott records at Atomic Halo Studios in Santa Monica.

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PAUL McGUIRE (Host)

Toronto - Award Winning Broadcaster - The Paul McGuire Show

A pop-culture junkie, Paul McGuire spent his childhood devouring movies, TV, comic books and music. Inevitably, he chased a career in the entertainment industry. A few commercials gigs and small TV roles paved the way for a hosting job on a children’s game show that aired on “Canada’s Nickelodeon,” YTV. Paul moved on from YTV to work at Canada’s largest network, CTV, as host and producer of Canada’s first entertainment magazine show, ENow.

PAUL McGUIRE

A pop-culture junkie, Paul McGuire spent his childhood devouring movies, TV, comic books and music. Inevitably, he chased a career in the entertainment industry. A few commercials gigs and small TV roles paved the way for a hosting job on a children’s game show that aired on “Canada’s Nickelodeon,” YTV. Paul moved on from YTV to work at Canada’s largest network, CTV, as host and producer of Canada’s first entertainment magazine show, ENow.

In 2005, he joined CMT Canada where he worked for 12 years hosting the network’s weekly two-hour flagship music show, The Chevy Top 20 Countdown. He also hosted CMT’s original interview series, One 2 One, where he interviewed the hottest names in country music, including Miranda Lambert, Florida Georgia Line, Taylor Swift, Luke Bryan, Dolly Parton, Lady Antebellum, Reba, Carrie Underwood, Shania Twain, Keith Urban, Dierks Bentley, Darius Rucker, Brooks & Dunn, Rascal Flatts and Jason Aldean.

In addition, Paul became a co-host for ET Canada, a post that continues to this day. Paul has traveled across North America and Europe for ET Canada reporting on music, television and film and is regularly seen anchoring the show alongside Cheryl Hickey and the other studio hosts.

In 2017, Paul was invited to create original content for the YouTube channel owned by ole Media Management, one of the largest independent music publishers in the world with offices in London, New York, Los Angeles, Nashville and Toronto. In conjunction, Paul launched Paul McGuire’s Country Countdown that can be heard weekly on 21 Stingray radio stations across Canada.

Currently Paul hosts a series called Always A Leaf on Leafs Nation Network. The show features long-form interviews with some of the greatest players that have ever donned the legendary Maple Leafs uniform, including Doug Gilmour, Curtis Joseph, Wendel Clark and Paul Henderson.

Paul was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and grew up in a suburb of Toronto. Today, Paul lives in the city with his wife and two young boys. He continues to host and emcee live events and awards shows across the country.

He also owns a drum kit.

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VALERIA TAIT (Guest Host)

Valeria Tait is a long time resident of the Okanagan and, as the former General Manager and winemaker at Bench 1775, a founding sponsor of 97 South Song Sessions. Tait has been a strong supporter of the performing arts, hosting numerous live events combining music and wine culinary experiences. Tait has also been active in the community as a board member of the Penticton Art Gallery.

VALERIA TAIT

Valeria Tait is a long time resident of the Okanagan and, as the former General Manager and winemaker at Bench 1775, a founding sponsor of 97 South Song Sessions. Tait has been a strong supporter of the performing arts, hosting numerous live events combining music and wine culinary experiences. Tait has also been active in the community as a board member of the Penticton Art Gallery. When the producers of the 2021 festival were considering who might fill the 2nd host spot, Val’s name came up instantly. “Val is an energetic, enthusiastic music lover and a natural with a crowd. Her support of this event has been beyond incredible from day one.” said Robin Ott, President of 97 South Holdings Inc. “Val is the perfect fit for the Guest Host role and we couldn’t be happier that she accepted the challenge.” This year’s festival is Val’s first live music event hosting gig.

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2020 Performers