Tim Hicks

Tim Hicks presence as a consistently electrifying entertainer on the Canadian music scene may stretch back more than a decade, but his latest and third studio full-length album, the alternately scorching and tender Shake These Walls, scans as strikingly new.

That’s what happens when you’re lucky (read: dogged) enough to locate your most authentic musical voice at the precise moment you find yourself in Nashville scratching it out alongside some of the sharpest blades in the musical toolbox.

Co-written by Hicks who writes the songs that define his character, Shake These Walls evolves musically. “I wanted to show people I had grown,” Hicks says of the new album. “There is truth in each of these songs because I co-wrote every one of them. I have a personal connection with every lyric, every riff. People are going to find there’s a healthy dose of the Tim Hicks party in there but there’s lots of other stuff certain to be interesting to many different people.”

Indeed, one of the most noticeable things about Shake These Walls is the range of moods and emotions on offer. Take the boisterous first single “Stompin’ Ground,” an instant radio smash and a snapshot of the good old days when hard-partying with kin and kindred was less distraction than vocation.

Produced by Corey Crowder (who recently celebrated his second #1 U.S. single with Chris Young), and whittled down from a total of some 70 songs written in Toronto and Nashville over the past year, Shake These Walls provided Hicks with a distinct advantage absent from both 2013’s Throw Down and 2014’s widely feted 5:01: a live, in-studio band while they were recording.

“I am a band guy at heart and I love playing music live. I’m always asking, ‘How will these songs fit into my live show?’ Having a band right there made it easier to figure all those parts out.”

That’s essential given that in 2017, Hicks will mount the “Shake These Walls Tour,” his second major headlining jaunt following 2015’s sold-out “Get A Little Crazy Tour” and his chance to do what he does best: connect with audiences from coast to coast and beyond.

So while Hicks has the resume of a veteran – seven Top 10 singles on Canadian country radio, #1 country album for 5:01, multiple CCMA and SOCAN wins and JUNO nods, coveted spots on prestigious festival stages nationwide – Shake These Walls charts a path that is completely new… and shoots straight for the country music stratosphere. Don't miss his show on June 17th at the festival!

The Washboard Union

5 time Country Music Award winners in 2016, The Washboard Union have defied classification and have become one of the most exciting and talked about new bands on the Canadian Country music scene. This year the band took home both Rising Star and Roots Artist of the Year awards at the Canadian Country Music Awards, as well as 3 BC Country Music Awards for Group, Songwriter and Roots Artist of the Year.  They had 2 top 10 singles in the past year with "Maybe It’s the Moonshine" & "Shot of Glory”.

As Warner Music/Slaight Music recording artists they are an authentic blend of where country and bluegrass are headed next. This year alone they have shared the stage with: The Zac Brown Band, Keith Urban, The Band Perry, Reba McEntire, Dwight Yoakam, Lonestar and more. As regulars to Nashville, Tennessee the band recorded their latest EP In My Bones at the legendary RCA Studio A. Don't miss their show on June16th at the festival!

James Barker Band

2015 Boots & Hearts Emerging Artist Showcase Winners, the James Barker Band have been working their way through the Canadian country music ranks over the past three years. The band consists of four, Ontario born and raised music junkies: James Barker (Woodville ON.), Taylor Abram (Barrie ON.), Bobby Martin (Ajax ON.) and, Connor Stephen (Bolsover ON.).

Stemming from a wide variety of musical backgrounds, the boys have found a unique way to incorporate elements of all styles, including: country, rock, funk, hip-hop and pop into their recordings and live shows. They have had the opportunity to open for country acts, Thomas Rhett, Emerson Drive, Tim Hicks, Tebey, and more. Don't miss their show on June 17th!

Alee

Alee brings her fresh up tempo style and sound to listeners across the world, redefining country music -- and with a strong musical background, she has the goods to back it up. A singer-songwriter-musician-entertainer regarded for her musicianship, the strength of her original songs, and charismatic performance, Alee has the versatility of a veteran performer with the ability to take her songs from full band down to a simple acoustic performance, varying each show from the preceding one, in an essence described by her audiences as engaging, passionate and authentic. Her ability to entertain is reflected with performances and accolades which span festivals including Big Valley Jamboree, Carlton Trail Jamboree, Westerner Days, Capital Ex, Canadian Finals Rodeo, among shows on Edmonton's Winspear stage and The Jubilee Auditorium as well as performing for charity/gala events and other western Canadian venues, while growing recognition to the East and south to Nashville.

With experience and performances that have been garnering merit since 2005, she is well prepared for the leap further onto the country scene.  Fresh out of the studio, Alee's original, and first single, entitled "Real" released internationally on February 1st, 2012 hit #53 on the BDS charts, followed by "What're We Waitin' For?" in August 2012 debuting at #47 on the Mediabase chart.  Alee started 2013 off with a bang with the realease of 'Don't Say You Love Me' - which climbed the Canadian Country BDS and Mediabase radio charts to the Top 25 after only 7 weeks, and ranked as the # 8 Canadian song    - it was also the 'fastest moving indie country single' at Canadian radio for 2013. CMT Canada also delivered a bold statement adding ‘Don’t Say You Love Me’ (filmed in Alberta by Back Road Productions) into HEAVY rotation out of the box!

So far, 2013 has been a whirlwind of activity for this hands on artist - - nominee for Alberta Country Music Association’s (ACMA) Female Artist and Fan Choice Awards, a BDS #1 Most Added Country Single, a Mediabase Most Added All-Formats Single (with Lady Antebellum, Justin Timberlake, Florida-Georgia Line, One Direction, Ke$ha, and Mumford & Sons), one of five featured artists on the line-up for this years Big Valley Jamboree Small Town Saturday Night (with headliner Chad Brownlee), and three second-ballot nominations for the Canadian Country Music Association Awards (CCMA) for Songwriter of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, and Rising Star Award.

Alee is currently on the road loving  interaction with the Country music listeners during her Canadian dates this summer, along with being able to share some of the songs off of her debut album "This Road Goes Everywhere".