IN THIS ISSUE Welcome to our Go Country Canada Lifestyle Magazine. Chance are if you like country music you probably live the country lifestyle. Make sure you tune into our Go Country Canada radio station. We play the biggest hits we have the stars drop by the studio and we feature emerging artists. We also have special programming you won’t want to miss. Go to http:// gocountry.ca
Many artists today do more than record and tour. As an example Trisha Yearwood and Eric Church both have furniture lines and we will spotlight them in this issue. Also in our Home section we take you out to the garden and we will give you some ideas to keep your home safe.
In this issue we have a bunch of new music by emerging artiststs for you to check out. Want to take a Road Trip? We have a list of festivals across Canada where you can plan to take your holiday or just spend a weekend and see some great entertainment.
Automotive section feature new vehicles, articles on driving safe during the summer and we will look at off road driving and we have some cool RV’s that are perfect for summer travel with the family. Check out our What’s Cooking section where we have ideas for a great picnic, Zac Brown tells you how to cook the perfect steak, we list some of the Out Of The Box Food Subscriptions services, we have some italian recipes for you and soups that can slow cook while you enjoy your day.
Go Country Canada Lifstyle Magazine is your magazine. We’d like to hear from you. Tell us what you would like to see in upcoming issues. Send us a family recipe we can share with our readers. Send us a home decorating idea. Tell us who is your favourite new or established country star. Share your pictures with us. You can e-mail us HERE Make sure you check out our Go Country Radio station where the stars come to play. Tell your friends and listen for upcoming contests coming soon. We hope you enjoy both our Go Country Canada Lifestyle Magazine and our online radio station. Watch for monthly issues and if you would like your copy to be printed e-mail us and we will send you information and costs on how you can get your copy in the mail.
ARTISTS YOU NEED TO KNOW IN 2017 The biggest stars in country music started their long road to stardom working the club circuit, putting out singles and building a fan base. While to you the fan it may seem like your favourite stars just happened overnight however in the music business there is no over night successes. It takes years to build your career and create a solid fan base. We thought we would
showcase some of the country artists that are on the verge of breaking out not just in Canada but on the international stages. We are excited about the amount of talent that are making waves and creating a buzz. Check these future country stars out and visit them online.
BREA LAWRENSON Brea Lawrenson captures emotions and stories in her music that have put her on the charts six times in the last three years. Her success is further punctuated with appearances at fairs and festivals where she shares stages with the Small Town Pistols, Bobby Wills, Brett Kissel, Tom Cochrane, The Road Hammers and other great storytellers of our time. Brea’s new single continues with an emotionally charged song called “Guts & God” which is at radio now. “Guts and God” is an inspirational song with a message of strength and determination. “Guts and God” is one that should see Brea rise up the charts quickly. . Growing up in a small eastern Ontario town, Brea realized at an early age, her love for music. She engaged in vocal training at the age of 13 and has never looked back. Winning first and second place awards at the Montreal Music Festival in Classical and Broadway at the age of 15. When not performing, Brea lends her knowledge and experiences to teaching vocals and guitar lessons.
Visit Brea online at http://www.brealawrenson.com/ https://www.facebook.com/brealawrenson https://twitter.com/brealawrenson https://www.youtube.com/user/brea001
Featuring Brea’s signature crystalline vocals once again, produced by Beaird Music Group out of Nashville along with Audio Valley Studios in Ottawa. Look for Brea Lawrenson at the RBC Ottawa’s Bluesfest, Havelock Country Jamboree, Kemptville Live Music Festival and the fair circuit this summer.
Chris Ising Chris Ising has been an artist that has stood out for us here at Go Country Canada. He has a unique sound, solid writing and great production. It is just a matter of time that will see Chris break not only in Canada but internationally. Chris has a new single coming out on Monday May 1st called “You Move Me” and you need to check it out. Chris Ising (eyezing) hails from Winnipeg Canada, where the winters are long and as a teenager you are either out in the bone chilling cold playing hockey or in the basement with a guitar in hand. Since the age of seven music has played an immense role in Chris’ life. It was then that his parents thought it time to sign Chris and his two brothers up for music lessons - after seeing them imitate their favorite rock stars (mainly KISS) using upside down pots for drums and card board cutout guitars. As a teenager Chris could be found playing bass and taking on vocals jamming to Van Halen, Iron Maiden, Rush and Living Color. During his university years Chris started his walk down the song writing path. Chris found a new love for country music, taken in by the multitude of emotions that country music brings to life through its instrumentation and vocals. In 2005 Chris signed his first publishing contract for ‘Another Lesson Learned’, a song co-written with good friend Hank Reeves. In 2008 Chris was proud to be chosen as one of the twelve attendees worldwide to take part in the 2008 Jeffrey Steele Songwriting Boot Camp. That experience not only taught him how the music business op-
erated behind the scenes, but also made him realize that being a songwriter was his profession. 2010 saw his first song head into the studio with a band out of Fort Rucker, Alabama. With the release of his 2015 debut CD “Serenity”, Winnipeg singer/songwriter Chris Ising scored two U.S. #1’s on indie radio and one U.K. #1. As well as song of the year for “I’m From the Country” (2015 Josie Show/Country Blast Radio Awards) and “And When I’m Dead” (2015 Manitoba Country Music Awards) Chris followed up ‘Serenity’ in 2016 with the release of 14 new tracks on ‘Got The Girl’. ‘I’m Not Ready To Let Go’ - a moving duet with Missouri artist Laura Ashley won Chris a second Songwriter of the year award at the 2016 Manitoba Country Music Awards. You can check out Chris Online: http://chrisising.nktrmusicgroup.com/ Facebook
MEET ANDIE DUQUETTE Quebec is becoming a hot bed for country music. All major artists are adding Quebec dates to their schedule and selling out. Let us introduce you to Andie Duquette. Andie has a bright future in country music and Wrong Wrong Wrong is a sure fire hit. Andie Duquette is a Canadian country singer from Montreal, Quebec, signed to TAB Records INC. She’s been known to favor a dab of “edge” in her personal brand of country music, whether we talk about her strong and direct “women first” lyrics to some of her more robust songs on her debut Country album LOCK STOCK AND BARREL, due out later this year. You’ll find Andie to be somewhere between Shania Twain and Miranda Lambert but there’s no mistaking it: this country girl is definitely a bit rock’n roll and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Andie’s career started at the very young age of three. Her parents were quite astonished when, at age five, Sesame Street hired Andie to sing their full repertoire for the French adaptation of this iconic TV show for Quebec audiences. Andie continued to sing and perform at a high level as a child for years and was given a number of roles on TV commercials and TV series. Andie subsequently went on to study vocal training with some of the best in Montreal in order to really master her abilities as a singer and she immersed herself for a few years in strict technique. Growing up in the city she was initially a big fan of Classic Rock and strong female artists like Heart, Pat Benatar, Joan Jett but was immediately taken when she first heard Shania Twain’s voice one day on the radio - and that was all it took! Now, Andie is looking up to her peers such as Miranda Lambert and so many of those who have dominated the Country Music Charts and are opening the door for girls like her. Notwithstanding her young age, Andie has already toured extensively across the world including Canada, Europe, the US, Mexico, China and the Domin-
ican Republic. She has just returned from a 40 day tour in Switzerland in order to continue building up her level of experience so that she can always perform at her highest level, something Andie is already quite spectacular at - just ask any fans that have been to her concerts. In 2013 Andie was a contestant of the hit TV show “La Voix”, Quebec’s version of “The Voice”, where she was a strong semi-finalist. It was this experience which catapulted her to the next level of her career when Canadian Producer Tino Izzo (Celine Dion, Bobby Bazini, The Wilkinson’s, Roch Voisine, Garou, Jacynthe, Yuna Ito, Saya…to name a few) first saw her and asked to work with her. Tino and Andie started working together in 2014, putting in countless hours since and working hard to develop something distinct, something totally Canadian, and something they feel absolutely committed to. Andie, in the meantime, released her 1st solo French album in her native Quebec in 2015 where she was extremely well received. She earned three monster Top Ten BDS singles with one topping at #1 BDS on mainstream radio for many weeks which was followed with an extensive tour in 2016. And now, as they put the final touches on her first solo Country album and national tour, scheduled for the spring of 2017, Andie is ready to pave the way with her debut single entitled ‘WRONG WRONG WRONG’. ANDIE DUQUETTE VIDEO Click on picture! …
Meet Jamie VanScott “Horse Named Flash” Jamie VanScott is one of the new country artists out there today that got his start in Rock n’ Roll. This is apparent in his debut “Horse Named Flash”. Having performed on stages with many of the world’s biggest names, the singer/songwriter is no stranger to the draw of a good tune. “I haven’t had a chance to listen to much of the country top 40 music lately, but I have my favourite country hits that I like to listen to”. he says. Growing up listening to his father play many of the popular country songs, VanScott fell in love with songs from Kenny Rogers, Marshall Tucker Band and the Charlie Daniels’ Band – to name a few. Being around music his whole life, it was only natural that he would pick up the guitar himself and start making his own flavour of music. That flavour has now morphed into a new country music style that VanScott describes as “just fun, feel good, music”. “I love all types of music and write many styles too. I just felt like now was a good time for a more upbeat, happy kind of sound and I think people will enjoy what we have done. “Horse Named Flash is a true story about my relationship with my wife” says Jamie VanScott. “We are going through some crazy times in the world right now and it’s easy to get depressed. I like the fact that “Horse Named Flash” is just feel good, fun music you can turn up while driving, and forget about all the bad things happening today.” Jamie VanScott is a new country/rock artist who is no stranger to the draw of a good tune.Growing up listening to his father play many of the popular country
songs, VanScott fell in love with songs from Kenny Rogers, Marshall Tucker Band and the Charlie Daniels’ Band - to name a few. Being around music his whole life, it was only natural that he would pick up the guitar himself and start making his own flavour of music. That flavour has now morphed into a new country music style that VanScott describes as “just fun, feel good, music”. “I love all types of music and write many styles too. I just felt like now was a good time for a more upbeat, happy kind of sound and I think people will enjoy what we have done.” Jamie VanScott has been fortunate enough to record at the home studio of B.T.O and The Guess Who fame - Randy Bachman . Vanscott also recorded in Atlanta, Georgia many years ago where he met bassist John Driskell Hopkins of the Zac Brown Band. “I’m blessed with all the experiences I’ve had for sure. Many musicians only get to dream of playing in front of thousands of people, and having songs on the radio, but I’ve been lucky enough to experience both” says Jamie VanScott who has opened for Our Lady Peace, Collective Soul, The Tea Party, The Guess Who, Matthew Good and shared the stage with many more. Follow Jamie online http://www.jamievanscott.com/ https://www.facebook.com/jamievanscottmusic/ https://twitter.com/vanscottband
KOREEN PERRY CURRENT SINGLE “YOU DON’T KNOW ME” Country-pop, folk-pop, and a little bit of classic rock from the 70s and 80s is what you can expect when Koreen Perry and her band hit the stage! Koreen’s new 5-song original EP album “Evolved” has recently been released to country radio across Canada with great success! The EP is a pop-country cocktail. There’s the LA-style pop song “See Through You,” country-pop songs “You Don’t Know Me” and “Dreams In A Bucket,” along with the organic folkpop love song “You & Me.” Bonus track of her last pop single “Lucky” is added to the tasty mix. Starting a new career at the mid-point of life is an adrenaline rush for singer-songwriter Koreen Perry that’s been a long time coming... Koreen Perry is enjoying film success with her originals as well as radio exposure. Her songs “Lucky” and “Playing My Emotions” debut on the feature film “Gone By Dawn,” directed by Shaun Donnelly. Actress and singer, Koreen plays Sheryl Mullens, the principal suppporting role, in a feature film currently in the works called “Breaking Spirits,” again directed by Donnelly. It will feature three more of Perry’s upcoming songs “See Through You,” “You Don’t Know Me,” and “Dreams in a Bucket.” Born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Koreen was surrounded by music, theatre, film and performance from an early age. As a growing vocalist, she
was part of Edmonton Musical Theatre. She put her performance skills to use first as a TV reporter and later moved into court reporting. Eager to experience the world, she moved to Calgary for 10 years and spent six months living in Australia working as a live TV captioner - a profession she continues today. Several band performances and festival showcases later - including Canadian Music Week and Canadian Country Music Week, Koreen Perry has adopted a more polished Shania-esque presentation in her performances. She frequently performs live acoustic or with her band at private functions, bars and festivals around Alberta. She continues to focus on her singing, song writing and recording. Koreen Perry is please to announce the release of her second single for 2017 “You Don’t Know Me.” This self penned tune is a song about going it alone with children after a life-changing divorce, and it’s from her new EP Evolved. Check out Koreen online https://www.koreenperry.com/home. html https://www.facebook.com/KoreenPerry1 https://twitter.com/koreenp
ANTHONY TULLO CURRENT SINGLE “REBEL” In Januray Anthony released his single Gasoline which was a big success and fan favourite. Anthony just released REBEL which marks the second national single Anthony’s sophomore album, ‘Rebel With A Song’. REBEL was written by Anthony Tullo and he explains, “Rebel is the most personal song on the album about growing up in a small town with aspirations of being successful in the entertainment business. In the big picture, it’s everyone’s struggle to achieve what they want, if it’s being a rock star or fighting for world peace.” REBEL was internationally premiered in Israel on the popular radio show The OZ Mizrahi Show along with a live interview. Anthony Tullo and band are celebrating the national single release and shooting the live video for REBEL at Le Dome in Oakville ON on Fri May 5TH 2017 with Special Guest Nicole Rayy. Anthony made it to the second ballot as a CMAO Rising Star Award contender based on the strength of the album’s first single ‘Gasoline’. REBEL was internationally premiered in Israel on the popular radio show The OZ Mizrahi Show along with a live interview. Anthony Tullo and band are celebrating the national single release and shooting the live video for REBEL on his first stop of The Rebel Tour 2017 at Le Dome in Oakville ON on Fri May 5TH 2017 with Special Guest Nicole Rayy. Anthony made it to the second ballot as a CMAO Rising Star Award contender based on the strength of the album’s first single ‘Gasoline’. Anthony released his sophomore album “Rebel With A Song” through ILS Group/Universal Music on October 28th, 2016 and released the first single / video ‘Gasoline’ on Jan 2nd 2017. Anthony also signed a management / record deal with Music Mentor Productions, a CCMA nominated recording studio & Independent
Record Label. Owner Peter Linseman also co-produced “Rebel With A Song” with Anthony and he is CMAO Producer of the Year Award nominee. Visit Anthony online http://www.anthonytullo.com/ https://www.facebook.com/anthonytullomusic/ https://twitter.com/anthonytullo1
PAIGE WILLIAMS CURRENT SINGLE “AIN’T NO SAINT” https://www.paigewilliamsmusic.com/ In a culture seemingly driven by instant gratification, music fans appear starved for that next jolt of electricity. Paige Williams is a self-avowed fan of Shania Twain, Faith Hill and Carrie Underwood. With her vivacious sprit and Californian charm, she’s a legitimate candidate to join the ranks of those who’ve inspired her. An American and Canadian citizen who grew up in California and spent most of her summers in North Paige has recently finished her California Country EP and finally feels like this is the music she has wanted to sing and write all along. Musically, Paige has created her own version of what country music sounds like and means to her. Paige’s single “Ain’t No Saint” is being well accepted at radio stations across Canada. The International Songwriting Competition has announced their semi-finalists for 2017 and Paige Williams has been nominated in two categories for her single “Ain’t No Saint” in the COUNTRY and PERFORMANCE categories! We at Deborah Wood Publicity wish Paige all the best moving forward! “Ain’t No Saint” is picking up adds from coast to coast in Canada and has people excited about what the future holds for
this young woman! The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) is an annual song contest whose mission is to provide the opportunity for both aspiring and established songwriters to have their songs heard in a professional, international arena. ISC is designed to nurture the musical talent of songwriters on all levels and promote excellence in the art of songwriting. ISC has the most prestigious panel of judges of all the songwriting and music contests in the world…to mention a few – Lorde, Sara Evans, Rickie Lee Jones, Joy Williams, Martie Maguire and numerous Industry executives! Paige has gone from singing the National Anthem for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Anaheim
Battleford Saskatchewan on her family’s farm- she took an unusual leap—into the heart of one of the most competitive arenas in contemporary societythe music business. Paige grew up in an environment loaded with temptation. “I was fortunate to have music as my driving passion,” she says. “I stayed out of trouble by being constantly active. I started writing songs, and playing piano when I was very young.
Ducks to getting her original song, “Welcome to My Life” placed in the independent film, Wake (starring Bijou Phillips and Jane Seymour) and another selfpenned tune, “Gone,” placed in May The Best Man Win, (an Indy production starring Rob Riggle of The Daily Show and Horatio Sanz of Saturday Night Live). Her song, “How Did Our Love Change,” was also featured on a Nickelodeon TV show. She also received award consideration as a nominee for Producers’ Choice in the Best Pop Single at the Los Angeles Music Awards and was a contender in the “Single of the Year” category by the prestigious Indie Singer/Songwriter Association. She also received honorable mention in the 2010 Billboard World Music contest for her original song, “Welcome to My Life.”
MEET BRAD JAMES NEW SINGLE “WHISKEY” They say timing is everything Right now time is on Brad James’s side. Brad works and lives as a full time musician in the Hamilton area. He has been “paying his dues” at a punishing rate of over 200 shows a year. Brad is ready to go to the next level and it looks like 2017 is the year of the next step as he continually writes, and records new material with many of Canada’s biggest names. Sharp 9 Music is proud to introduce Brad James and his new single ‘Whiskey’ to Canadian Country Radio! Canadian Hit Music Producer Jeff Dalziel (Dan Davidson, Washboard Union, Autumn Hill, Brett Kissel, etc) delivers another outstanding Country music offering by an artist that you will be hearing much more about! Brad James is a tremendous talent that lives to play live and is constantly playing shows. With this first single ‘Whiskey’ I think you will hear why we are excited by the prospects for Brad James to become an elite Country artist. Brad is making a mark for himself with comments like “Brad James is a remarkable talent who has yet to be discovered. Everything else, the talent, the passion, the music and the personality are all there. Now it’s up to the country music industry and the rest of the world to catch up!” Randy Owen Country 107.3 “The result is an ear-pleasing, toe-tapping CD that covers all the bases when it comes the relationships,
from the apologetic ballad “Bitter” to the playful and sexy “If you like that sorta thing” through to the first single “Waitin’ on a Miracle.” The Hamilton Spectator “Brad’s got it all going for him; engaging performer, great songwriter and the girls tell me he’s easy on the eyes.” Pete Walker KX 96 “The Canadian country music up-and-comer may hail from Stoney Creek, but Brad James kicks the crap out of the 10 tracks here like his postal code is in Austin, TX…He swings and bashes hard, teasing out the songs’ hooks, snaring them in the cerebellums of the listener. This debut works fine on it’s own but also acts as aural coming attraction” London Scene “He’s solid live, very personable and committed to taking all the necessary steps to build his profile on a national level. His team, lead by Dale Penner, are committed to the task and have the experience and drive required to make this goal a reality. To quote Brad “I think my goals are pretty simple really…as things progress, I dream bigger and work harder” Randy Stark Brad James is an artist that destined for stardom and “Whiskey” is the perfect first single that we feel will climb the charts quickly. Check Brad out here http://bradjamesband.com/ https://www.facebook.com/bradjamesmusic https://twitter.com/bradjames
Out-of-the-Box Dinner Subscription Services This seems to be the latest way of shopping for meals and cooking new recipes. We all live busy lives but we still like to eat well. If you have a busy life or maybe you are empty nesters than Out of the Box Dinner Subscriptions may be just the thing for you. Out of the box Subscription services offer home delivery of fresh, measured ingredients, accompanied by easy-to-follow recipes that make creating meals a breeze. Sometimes you will find it cheaper then shopping at the grocery store and you don’t have the hassle of going to the store as it comes right to your home. We thought we would list a few services that are available and some of the meals they offer along with pricing.
Goodfood
Visit them online by clicking HERE
Goodfood is a weekly grocery delivery service. They offer a once-a-week subscription service where they deliver all the fresh ingredients you need to make delicious meals at home, in exactly the right proportions. They have designed the experience to teach you fun new recipes, discover new ingredients (some can be hard to find!), save prep time and also reduce unnecessary waste. By letting them shop for you, they can bring you fresher and higher-quality food than what’s sitting on supermarket shelves, and for better prices! We took a quick look and 4 meals for two people will cost $78.00 and the family meal plan includes 4 meals for four people and the cost is $140.00.They offer free shipping to Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes. Your Goodfood delivery comes with all the raw ingredients you need to cook delicious meals for the week, in exactly the right portions. Each recipe is designed to be a well-balanced, healthy meal that includes protein, veggies and carbs. In addition, each delivery comes with beautifully printed recipe cards and step-by-step instructions. Here is a sample of their Classic Meals for the week of May 1st 1. Hawaiian BBQ Chicken with Pineapple & Mashed Blue Potatoes 2. Fresh Spinach Pasta with Roasted Garlic Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce 3. Shrimp Sushi Bowl with Seared Edamames, Cucumber & Carrots 4. Vegetarian Roasted Chickpea Shawarma Sandwich with Honey-Tahini Vinaigrette 5. Cajun Chicken Fajitas with Homemade Guacamole & Salsa Fresca 6. Vegetarian Niçoise Salad with Pan Fried Marinated Artichokes 7. Risotto with Sweet potatoes Sage and Toasted Pumpkin Seeds
The Jolly Table Visit online HERE
The Jolly Table have a promotion called Trial Packs when you order for four weeks to test their meals so you don’t have a long committment. Good idea. They have three packages available single serving where you get 4 meals a week and the cost for four weeks is $175.84. The second package is for two people and you get 3 meals per week for four weeks. Cost for the four weeks is $263.76 and then they have the family plan which is 2 meals for four people per week and the cost for the month is $351.68 It all works out to an average of $10.95 per serving. The regular average price is $12.99 per serving. Their menu has a big choice of meals to choose from. We chose wa few to highlight.
BACON WRAPPED CHICKEN AND POTATOES GF
BRANDY PEPPERCORN BEEF MEDALLIONS GF
CARAMELIZED ONION FETA AND CHICKEN PIZZA
CHICKEN CORDON BLEU
COD WITH CAPERS OLIVES AND TOMATOES GF
FOOD TRIP TO
Quebec Only Cook It
Vancouver Only Fresh Prep
Cook It Food Trip To.. puts an international spin on the monthly subscription service, with each month featuring themed recipes and food from a particular country (the current offering spotlights Morocco). Each box contains six imported products and four recipes designed to make a meal for six (you’ll need to pick up the fresh ingredients yourself). As a bonus, each Food Trip To… box also includes cultural facts about each month’s destination, a playlist of typical music from that locale “to enrich the experience” and a “small surprise” brought back from the trip. Food Trip To… delivers within North America (Canada and the U.S.). You can visit them online here
This Montreal food subscription service takes its cuisine seriously, offering “all-inclusive” meals, which include meat and poultry, along with vegetable and fish dishes (for the pescatarians out there) as well as healthy kid-friendly options. With menus created by Cook It’s in-house culinary team as well as renowned guest chefs, recipes use seasonal, fresh ingredients that have arrive to your doorstep anywhere in Québec, precisely pre-measured, ensuring zero waste. Vou can visit them online here
Fresh Prep offers a variety of chef-designed dishes, ranging from “seasonal classics” to weekly specials, all of which can be prepared in 30 minutes or less. Menu items include Turkey Chili with Butternut Squash and Homemade Cornbread, and Chicken Souvlaki with Cucumber Dill Tzatziki and Lemon Rice. After ordering, the fresh ingredients are delivered to your door, and Fresh Prep also offers same-day delivery. They currently deliverstrictly within the city of Vancouver. You can visit them online here
We’d like to hear from you. Do you have a family recipe you’d like to share? Maybe your favourite meal or place to eat. Have you tried any of the Out of The Box Subscription clubs and if so who and how was your experience. Tell us what you would like to see in our magazine. Tell us how we are doing. We believe that as country music fans you enjoy living the country lifestyle which includes food. Doesn’t matter if you live in the country or are living in the city. So let us hear from you. All you have to do is e-mail us here
WILLIAMS SONOMA LAUNCHES FOOD COLLABORATION WITH TRISHA YEARWOOD Williams Sonoma, a member of the Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE: WSM) portfolio of brands announced today a new and exclusive food collaboration with Trisha Yearwood, the country star, television host, and three-time New York Times bestselling cookbook author whose home and lifestyle empire continues to grow. The Williams Sonoma and Trisha’s Kitchen collaboration features five food products that bring Trisha’s cherished family recipes to life. Trisha’s Biscuit Mix takes its inspiration from her father’s homemade buttermilk biscuits, while Trisha’s Summer in a Cup cocktail mix recreates a breezy drink invented by a dear friend, on a hot summer day at her home in Oklahoma. “Trisha has been a loyal customer of Williams Sonoma for years and we are in awe of all of her many talents,” said Janet Hayes, President of Williams Sonoma. “A food collaboration between Williams Sonoma and Trisha Yearwood is a dream come true for all parties involved.” “Williams Sonoma has always been my ‘happy place’ and I’ve wanted to be a part of their team forever! When I host a party, I focus on the people, not the necessarily the planning, and this food line provides easy ways to
enhance your menu” said Trisha Yearwood. “I am so excited to partner with one of my favorite home stores with a line that helps make entertaining easy and fun. I hope to help give home cooks the confidence to invite everyone over this summer!”
“I love fried chicken, but in the spirit of everything in moderation, I came up with a healthier, unfried version of the South’s favorite bird. This mix lets me enjoy classic fried chicken— without the added calories and fat. Instead, I add crunch with whole-grain panko breadcrumbs, then pump up the flavor with a special blend of Parmesan cheese, lemon and lots of peppery spices.” To order and see what they have go to HERE
“For me it’s not summer without pork ribs. That is my thing. When I was growing up my aunt and uncle used to make ribs every Fourth of July, and good ribs just bring me right back. I always season them with a rub and then finish them with a sauce that combines savory and sweet.”
Click on Trisha’s photo below and watch a special Behind The Scenes Video
Zac Brown’s Perfect Steak Zachry Alexander Brown was born on July 31, 1978, in Atlanta, Georgia. He was raised on Lake Lanier by his mother and stepfather, a dentist in Cumming, Georgia. The 11th of 12 children. Brown was given his mother’s guitar at age 8, and one of his stepfather’s patients was enlisted to teach him classical guitar. He
completed two years of lessons, but soon after developed a love for bluegrass music while playing with his father and brother on weekend visits. In his midteens, Brown spent almost a year being tutored by a vocal coach from his church in Cumming. In 2002, Brown was traveling approximately 200 dates a year.
Zac shares with us a few tips on cooking that perfect steak. He says these are things he has worked out over years. “Get a freah cut of steak from the butcher of your choice. You want to grill it at the highest temperature you can get. and rather then use a 1/4 bag of charcoal use a whole bag. Cover the steak with a steak rub and a good steak sauce if you like and you don’t have to marinate the meat and in fact I am an anti-marinate guy. The salt that is in most marinates pulls the moisture out of the meat. The sauce you can use as a base and use it after as well” Zac says cook it the way you like rare, medium rare or well done. Let the meat rest a bit before cutting into it. From Southern Fried Chicken and Hearty Brunswick Stew to Farmer’s Fried Green Tomatoes and Revival Peach Cobbler, removable index cards contain 27 of the most coveted recipes by Zac Brown and his friends. This cook book also includes dozens of poems, songs, and stories - both fact and lore - accompanied by images of art, nature, travel and life that illustrate how to make it all happen. Zac says the sauce he developed works well with steak, pork tenderloin and chicken as well. Zac says he is proud of his steak rub, sauce and cookbook and loves to hear feedback from fans. Get his cook book here In 2004, Brown opened a music club and restaurant with his father in the Lake Oconee area of Georgia, called “Zac’s Place” where the fare was southern-style cooking. A developer bought the restaurant and, in turn, the Zac Brown Band bought a tour bus and began touring full-time, playing rock and country clubs, as well as folk and jam band festivals. Zac is a chef and loves cooking when not on the road especially BBQ. He has a cook book, steak rub and sauce that is available at retail stores. Zac shared his secrets for the perfect steak with us.
Today when Zac is touring he takes a chef on the road with him and they offer Meet, Great and Eat to fans. Zac has told us one of his influences was Jimmy Buffet and he claims that his hit songs like Toes and Castaway were direct influneces of Jimmy Buffett something he shared with Jimmy when they were hanging out. The Zac Brown Band are touring and headlining major concerts across the USA and Canada as well as major festivals. Zac still calls Atlanta home and when not on the road you can find him there usually in the kitchen or with his BBQ.
TIME FOR PICNIC’S It has been a longer winter and now that the warmer weather is here it is time to head outdoors. I remember as a child spending time at my Aunt and Uncle’s farm each Sunday, when the weather was nice, we would pack a picnic and head to the beach in the Lake Erie area. Always good food and fun times that have lasted a lifetime of fond memories.
when it comes to taste. The recipe we chose ensures maximum cheesiness when you use Sargento® Shredded Pepper Jack Cheese to infuse the handcrafted beef burger patty meat. These sliders make for perfect picnic food no matter where you are and they will be sure to please any burger lovers in the crowd.
Planning is the key to a successful picnic. It can be as easy as sandwiches to the more exotic food. If you take a BBQ with you here are some ideas. Hamburgers or hamburger sliders. BBQ Beef Sliders Sliders have a legacy of being delectable mini burgers that are not mini
Ingredients 2 lbs. ground chuck 2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce 2 cups (8 oz.) Sargento® Shredded Pepper Jack Cheese 2 cups (8 oz.) Sargento® Shredded Mild Cheddar Cheese - Traditional
Cut ½ cup barbecue sauce 16 mini burger buns 1 small red onion, thinly sliced 32 dill pickle slices Directions Preheat grill or sauté pan over medium-high heat. Mix meat with Worcestershire sauce. Form into 16 patties slightly larger than the buns. Put one tablespoon Pepper Jack cheese on each pattie, reform into a ball, and then flatten out gain into a pattie to keep cheese in the center while cooking. Cook patties 3 to 4 minutes; turn and cook 3 minutes more. Top with cheese. Spread barbecue sauce on buns. Top with burgers, onion and pickles.
This is a fun side for your sliders.
Grilled Chicken Caesar Skewers INGREDIENTS 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1” cubes 1/3 c. plus 2 tbsp. Caesar dressing 1/4 c. extra-virgin olive oil, divided Juice of 1 lemon, divided kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper Half of a French baguette, cut into 1” cubes 1 pt. cherry tomatoes 6 romaine lettuce leaves, washed and dried 1/2 c. freshly grated Parmesan
Remove and set aside. Grill the bread and tomato skewers until charred and tomatoes begin to burst, about 5 minutes. Top romaine leaves with chicken, croutons and tomatoes. Drizzle with more dressing, sprinkle with Parmesan and squeeze lemon on top of each serving. Now if you don’t want to go to a lot of work to make your picnic a success you can go to the grocery store and get everything you need already made. This might be ideal for that last minute picnic.
All summer long we will be offering up recipes for summer cooking and making a special Canada 150th themed birthday party in our June issue. Don’t forget deserts like fresh strawberries, blueberries, pies, cakes or whatever your sweet tooth may want. A nice bottle of wine or cider or as they do in the south sweet tea make for the perfect beverage choices.
DIRECTIONS In a medium bowl, toss chicken with dressing, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and half of lemon juice. Cover with plastic wrap and let marinate in fridge for at least 30 minutes. Meanwhile, soak 12 bamboo skewers in water for 30 minutes. Preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Divide and thread chicken onto 6 skewers; season with salt and pepper. In a medium bowl, toss bread with 2 tablespoons olive oil to coat. Alternating with tomatoes, thread the bread and tomatoes onto remaining skewers. Brush grill pan with olive oil. Add the chicken skewers and grill until cooked through, about 10 minutes.
ham or chicken salad sandwiches. Put the ham in a blender and chop it into small pices add mayo and green relish for a great tasting sandwich. For chicken cut the meat off the bone and put into blender to cut it into small pices. Add mayo and you are ready to go. I like to sometimes use left over KFC chicken.
We will go to the grocery store if our picnic was a last minute idea. There we can pick-up some home made rolls, ham salad, chicken salad and a wide variety of salads such as potato salads, marcoroni salad and even veggie platters. All make for a great picnic with little work on your part.
Also if you have leftover ham or chicken it is easy to make your own
Share your favourite picnic recipes with us. Drop us an e-mail with your recipe and name and we will share it with our readers. E-mail us here
Even though we are not an Italian family Italian food was a staple in our home. Today I am going to share our family recipe for both lasagna and spaghetti. They are easy to make and take little time, a key to today’s busy lives. We will start with lasagna. Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook time: 2 1/2 hours Ingredients: 1/2 pound of ground beef 1/2 pound of ground pork 1 28 oz can of tomato puree 2 6 1/2 oz cans of tomato paste 1 clove of garlic Italian seasoning Oregano Large package of mozzarella cheese Box of oven ready lasagna noodles In a large pot put in the ground beef, ground pork, tomato puree, and paste. Use the tomato paste cans and add 2 cans of water. Crush 1 clove of garlic, add 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon of oregano. Simmer on a low heat for 1 1/2 to 2 hours stirring occasionally. There is no need to brown the beef or
pork as they will cook through in the sauce. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Use a 8 x 10 glass or metal pan. Put one layer of three oven ready noodles on the bottom layer side by side. You can leave some space between them because they expand a bit. Cover the noodles with sauce and add a layer of mozzarella. I like mine cheesy. Repeat for two more layers. On the top add extra cheese. Place in the oven for 30 minutes or until cheese is melted. Once done take out of oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve with salad and cheese garlic bread. If you have any leftovers don’t throw them away. Cover and put in the refrigerator once it has cooled down for the next day. When you are ready to eat simply preheat oven at 350 and warm up. Just make sure you don’t leave it in too long. Like a lot of meals this tastes equally or even better the next day.
Speghetti Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time 2 hours Ingredients 1/2 pound of ground beef 1 package of sweet Italian sausage 2 - 28 oz cans of tomato puree 2 - 6/1/2 oz cans of tomato paste clove of garlic Italian seasoning speghetti noodles In a large pot add tomato puree, tomato paste, ground beef, Italian sausage, ( I cut the sausage in two) 1 crushed clove of garlic and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Cover and cook on a low heat for two hours stiring occasionally. You can substitute the sausage for other meats. I have used spareribs, pig tails (yes pig tails) pork chops cut up. Once the sauce has cooked put on a medium size pot 3/4 full of water and bring to a boil. Add speghetti and let cook for 12 minutes or until you can cut a noodle with a fork. The general rule is one hand full of noodles per serving. Strain the noodles and put each serving on a plate and add sauce to the top and put the sausage on the side. Serve with garlic bread or cheese garlic bread and a caesar salad. If you have sauce left over you can freese it for another day. You just have to thaw and re-heat.
Slow Cooking takes hours..........But little time and effort on your part There is nothing like coming home smelling a nice soup cooking and better yet sitting down to eat that soup. We have three recipes today for Split Pea Soup and Cheesy Potato Soup.
Cheesy Potato Soup
Split Pea Soup
This is a crowd pleasure for those Saturday or Sunday afternoon football games. Prep Time 5 min Total Time 2 hours 35 min
This is a classic and has been called a real stick to your ribs kind of supper. Prep Tim: 10 min Total Time 6 hours 10 min Ingredients 1 lb dried green split peas 2 cups diced ham 2 carrots chopped 1 onion chopped 2 stalks of celery chopped 2 cloves garlic 1 bay leaf salt and pepper to taste 6 cups of chicken broth 1/4 cup of chopped parsley (for garnish) Add the split pea to the slow cooker in a single layer and top with layers of the ham, carrots, celery and garlic. Add the bay leaf and salt and pepper to taste the pour the chicken broth over the mixture and do not stir. Cover and set the slow cooker on high. Cook until the split peas are falling apart about 5 or 6 hours. Serve in bowls garnished with the fresh parsley. Refrigerate any leftovers. This serves 8.
Ingredients 4 russet potatoes, peeled and cut into chucks 6 cups chicken stock divided 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese plus more for garnish 1/4 cup chopped scallions salt and ground black pepper 1 cup sour cream green onions and bacon crumbles for topping Combine the potatoes and 2 cups of stock in the slow cooker. Set on high and cook until the potatoes are tender about 2 hours. Transfer about half of the cooked potatoes and stock to a food processor. Process until smooth. Put the potato puree back in the slow cooker, and add the shredded cheddar, another 2 cups of chicken stock and the scallions. Continue cooking until the cheese melted about 20 - 30 minutes. Add additional chicken stock if the texture is thicker than you would like. Season to taste. Just before serving add the sour cream and stir in to blend. Ladle the soup into bowls and top with cheddar, green oinions and bacon crumbles for garnish. Refridgerate if there are any left overs.
Even if you were not lucky enough to get your tickets early there is lots of entertainment to see around town. Taking the big stage are Country Music superstars Trace Adkins, John Anderson, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Brett Eldredge, Florida Georgia Line, Sam Hunt, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Tracy Lawrence, Little Big Town, Maren Morris, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Kenny Rogers, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton, Chris Stapleton, Cole Swindell, Thomas Rhett, Keith Urban, and Chris Young. A longtime fan favorite, the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage is back in 2017 with a packed lineup that will keep attendees rocking from 10:00 AM-5:15 PM each day. CMA Awards nominees Old Dominion will kick things off Thursday, June 8 (10:00 AM/CT). Additional artists
hitting the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage are A Thousand Horses, Lauren Alaina, Bobby Bones & The Raging Idiots, Brothers Osborne, Kane Brown, Chase Bryant, Cam, Brandy Clark, Luke Combs, Easton Corbin, Russell Dickerson, Drake White and the Big Fire, Eli Young Band, Tyler Farr, High Valley, Home Free, Chris Janson, Jana Kramer, Chris Lane, LOCASH, Maddie & Tae, Neal McCoy, Scotty McCreery, William Michael Morgan, Joe Nichols, Jon Pardi, Parmalee, Eric Paslay, Kellie Pickler, RaeLynn, Michael Ray, Chase Rice, Canaan Smith, Corey Smith, Granger Smith, Josh Turner, Aaron Watson, and Brett Young. Performances on the Budweiser “Forever Country” Park Stage will take place from 11:00 AM-4:45 PM/CT daily during the Festival. The lineup includes Jeff Bates, Bellamy Brothers, John Berry, Mark Chesnutt, Confederate Railroad,
George Ducas, Emerson Drive, Exile, Andy Griggs, Ty Herndon, “Honky Tonkin’ with Tracy Lawrence and Friends”, Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers, Little Texas, Lonestar, Mila Mason, Terry McBride, Rick Monroe, Jamie O’Neal, James Otto, Danielle Peck, Trick Pony, Collin Raye, Restless Heart, Julie Roberts, Ray Scott, Shenandoah, Doug Supernaw, Rhonda Vincent and Daryle Singletary, Lari White, Mark Wills, and Darryl Worley. Fans will enjoy rewinding the clock with many of Country’s most established acts from the ‘80s, ‘90s, and ‘00s. Bellamy Brothers, Exile, and Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers debuted at CMA Music Festival in the early to mid-‘80s. While this marks McBride’s first solo appearance at the Festival, he made his CMA Fest debut with McBride & The Ride in 1990. White and Supernaw last appeared at CMA Fest in ’95 and ’96, respectively.
year!” COUNTRYFEST ARTISTS FOR 2017
Dauphin’s Countryfest artists slated to perform at Canada’s longest running country music festival, taking place June 29-July 2. “Countryfest fans have come to expect an exceptional and well-rounded music festival experience, and the superstar lineup shaping up for 2017 is one of the best we’ve ever put together,” says Eric Irwin, president of Dauphin’s Countryfest. “Dauphin is definitely the place that music fans want to be to ring in Canada’s 150th birthday this
Luke Bryan Keith Urban Johnny Reid Doc Walker Tim Hicks Meghan Patrick Madeline Merlo Hunter Brothers Eric Paslay The Cadillac Three Jess Moskaluke Cold Creek County The Washboard Union James Barker Band Charlie Major Kenny Shields & Streetheart Jason Blaine Ridley Bent The Dungarees Johnson Crook JD Edwards Band Ryan Keown Kayla Luky Renee Lamoureux Jake Mathews Zachary Lucky Samara Yung Past The Perimeter
Toque Sykamore Leeroy Stagger Ray Martin Band The 24th Street Wailers Bullrider Tyler Del Pino Justin Lacroix David Pestrak Russell Lee Kates Outlaw The 28th annual Dauphin’s Countryfest takes place June 29-July 2, 2017. Canada’s longest running country music festival has been attracting the biggest names in country music to one of the most beautiful regions of Manitoba since 1990. Situated on the edge of Riding Mountain National Park, the unique outdoor amphitheatre built into the side of an escarpment provides every patron a perfect view from any one of the 14,000 seats in the house. www.countryfest.ca
The Cavendish Beach Country Music Festival runs from July 7th to the 9th. What a great place to spend your time on a warm July weekend in PEI. Here is the lineup for the main stage this year. July 7th Good Brothers Brandy Clark Gord Bamford High Valley Little Big Town July 8th Kane Brown Chad Brownlee Madeline Merlo Canaan Smith Kip Moore July 9th Aaron Goodvin Jessica Mitchell Tim Hicks Brothers Osborne Zac Brown Band
Craven country music festival gets new name, big headliners in 2017 Blake Shelton, Toby Keith and Keith Urban will take the stage in Craven, Sask., in 2017. But it won’t be under the banner of the Craven Country Jamboree. The long-running Saskatchewan festival has changed its name after joining the Country Thunder festival tour. Country Thunder Saskatchewan will run from July 13-16, 2017.
This is always a fun festival with lots of big name talent. Here is the lineup for this year. Luke Bryan Keith Urban Brantley Gilbert Eli Young Band Dan and Shay Frankie Ballard Chad Brownlee Jess Moskaluk Kiefer Sutherland Tucker Beathard Drake White Cold Creek County Jessica Mitchell Midland Kelly Prescott Dani Strong The Abrams and many more
Trisha Yearwood Takes Viewers Inside The Klaussner Showroom Each Saturday Trisha tapes a Facebook Live from wherever she is called T’s Coffee Talk. Trisha Yearwood and her sister Beth taped T’s Coffee Talk from the Klaussner Home Furnishings showroom in High Point, NC where they were debuting Trisha’s latest home collection, “Coming Home”. Trisha explains that the 35-piece collection is a balance of casual and sophisticated, and comes in either an off-white or wheat finish. The line was inspired by Trisha’s dream beach house, which she hints to her husband, Garth Brooks, that they now “need a place to put the furniture!” The sisters stroll through the 4,000 square foot showroom pointing out pieces that they own in their homes. Beth shows off a plush white bench that she keeps in front of her fire place, as well as an off-white china cabinet with easy-to-use switch to control the light settings. Trisha reveals her favorite new piece, a distressed off-white slay bed. We thought we would share some of the collection with you. If you want to visit Trisha’s furniture web site you can go to http:// trishayearwood.com/home-collection
Trisha has traveled the world but always finds time to return to Monticello, GA to visit family and friends. There is something about not forgetting where you come from that keeps us all grounded. The display china is a perfect place to display those many memories.
Her husband Garth, and number one cooking fan, often refers to Trisha as Miss Yearwood.� An island often becomes a focal point in the kitchen and this multi-functional piece is a center piece of the TYH Collection.
Trisha builds memories into everything she does. The Gwendolyn chest is a tribute to her mom.
This bed is classic Trisha. In keeping with the simple guidelines of design this bed is a soft lined curved design to create a comfortable retreat. The classic design is simple as are so many items in the collection. The story of this bed is soft lines combined with moldings and finish to give a simple classic time worn effect.
Trisha has a whole line of accessories as well. Trisha besides being a great singer is a fabulous cook and now we see she is a great designer as well. Is there anything this girl can’t do? Visit and see her whole furniture line online. It is all very cool.
TIPS ON WHERE, HOW, AND WHEN TO GROW A VEGETABLE GARDEN I got tired of digging up the ground each year for our garden. It took a lot of time and hard labour. From renting a tiller to getting all the weeds out it took a whole day just to get the soil ready. Last year I got wise and found a raised garden kit at Lowes. It was easy to put together and it was a whole less work. I put a white picket fence around it to keep the critters out but that didn’t work to well as they got in for some good eats.
Why garden? If you’ve never tasted garden-fresh vegetables (lots of people haven’t!), you will be amazed by the sweet, juicy flavors and vibrant textures. There’s absolutely nothing like them, especially if you grow the vegetables yourself—and you can! We’ll highlight the basics of vegetable garden planning: how to pick the right site, figure out how “big” to go, and how to select which vegetables to grow. START WITH A SMALL VEGETABLE GARDEN Remember this: It’s better to be proud of a small garden than to be frustrated by a big one! One of the common errors for beginners is planting too much too soon and way more than anybody could eat or want. Unless you want to have zucchini taking up residence in your attic, plan carefully. Start small.
Frame It All 48-in W x 96-in L x 11-in H Brown Composite Raised Garden Bed is the size I picked. It was $194 plus I had to add in the soil which cost me another $33.00. I know I could go to the farmers market and buy what I need for cheaper but it is not as much fn and also I know what I am getting. For tips I went to the Farmers Almanac for advice. Here’s our quick guide for the beginner vegetable gardener. Whether you’re a beginner or an old hand, planting in a pot or a plot, this advice will help you to plan and grow your tastiest vegetables ever.
WHERE AND HOW TO PLANT A VEGETABLE GARDEN Plant in a sunny location. Vegetables need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. The more sunlight they receive, the greater the harvest and the better the taste. Plant in good soil. Plants’ roots penetrate soft soil easily, so you need nice loamy soil. Enriching your soil with compost provides needed nutrients. Proper drainage will ensure that water neither collects on top nor drains away too quickly. Space your crops properly. For example, corn needs a lot of space and can overshadow shorter vegetables. Plants set too close together compete for sunlight, water, and nutrition and fail to mature. Pay attention to the spacing guidance on seed packets and plant tabs. Buy high-quality seeds. Seed packets are less expensive than individual plants. If seeds don’t germinate, your money—and time—are wasted. A few “extra” cents spent in spring for that year’s seeds will pay off in higher yields at harvesttime.
VEGETABLE GARDEN PLOT SIZE A good-size beginner vegetable garden is about 16x10 feet and features crops that are easy to grow. A plot this size, based on the vegetables suggested below, can feed a family of four for one summer, with a little extra for canning and freezing (or giving away). Make your garden 11 rows wide, with each row 10 feet long. The rows should run north and south to take full advantage of the sun. Vegetables that may yield more than one crop per season are beans, beets, carrots, cabbage, kohlrabi, lettuce, radishes, rutabagas, spinach, and turnips. SUGGESTED PLANTS FOR VEGETABLE GARDEN The vegetables suggested below are common, productive plants, but you’ll also want to contract your local cooperative extension to determine what plants grow best in your local area. Think about what you like to eat as well as what’s difficult to find in a grocery store or farmers’ market. WHEN TO PLANT A VEGETABLE GARDEN Know when to plant what. See their Best Planting Dates chart—a gardening calendar customized to your local frost dates—covering both sowing indoors as well as planting in the ground. TRY OUR GARDEN PLANNER It’s easy to plan your garden with the Almanac Garden Planner! They have done all the research for you! This planning tool helps you design your garden bed, automatically spacing the crops properly and
integrating your local planting dates. Plus, you’ll see many free garden plans for inspiration! Go to their web site for more information on what to plant and when to plant it. http://www.almanac.com/ vegetable-garden-planning-for-beginners Last year we planted tomatoes, carrots, strawberries and bell peppers. We also tried out hand at garlic but that didn’t work out well. This year we will add more space to the garden and we will try out hand at tomatoes, pumpkin, lettuce, bell peppers again (they were good), cucumbers and we will see what else we can find. We make it a project for ourselves and our grandson who lives with us. At 6 years old he is a good farmer and spends the time watering etc. The only thing we need to watch is the minute something grows he is there picking it. Send us an e-mail and tell us what you will be planting this year or if you have any tips you’d like to share with us. I would sure like to hear how people keep animals out of the garden. You can e-mail us HERE
ERIC CHURCH’S JOURNEY EMULATED IN HIGHWAY TO HOME The Highway to Home Collection, an original furniture line created by Eric Church, is now available at RoomsToGo locations and additional select retail outlets. The collection was inspired by Church’s love of the road and exploration of the world combined with family traditions and the comforts that allow the most important adventures to happen…the ones in our homes. On Church’s 2006 debut album, Sinners Like Me, the man The Washington Post would later call “a born balladeer,” bore his worst fears in the lyrics of the autobiographical album cut, “What I Almost Was,” reminiscing, “Yeah, I moved on back home and came awful close / To being some son-in-law to some CEO / Coulda been a corner office, country club, suit and tie man / Answerin’ to no one but her and him.” It was an ode to the life he relinquished when choosing to pursue a career in music instead of claiming his role at the booming family furniture business in Granite Falls, N.C. Soon after his move to Music City, a certain Music Row publisher’s advice that he should “just pack it up and move back home” ultimately had the singer/songwriter questioning his decision.
Church persevered, shortly thereafter landing a record deal proving the naysayer wrong. Three albums later he cemented his first of many No. 1 hits along with his first of seven GRAMMY nominations with his watershed release, Chief. But throughout that long journey from a man with a dream to one of today’s musical superstars, Church always stayed connected to his roots. His songs often reflected his upbringing and his observations of small town life in North Carolina. Traveling the world with his own family, he discovered the need to keep the sanctity of home was very important as home had always fed his art and grounded it in reality. Through this dichotomy, the idea for a venture that would combine his family’s history in the furniture business along with his touring enterprise was born. “Staying connected with my roots has always been important to me andHighway to Home is a natural extension of my family heritage,” says Church. “My dad was in the industry. My first job was in a furniture plant, so yes, it is in my blood.
Eric says “This project is truly about building a home around those experiences and memories that make up our lives.” Highway to Home features four collections: Heartland Falls, Silverton Sound, Arrow Ridge and Hickory Canyon. Named after fictitious places that represent destinations along his journey, the collections range from a nostalgic mix of arts and crafts to urban-industrial to eclectic all with a touch of rock ‘n’ roll spirit. Highway to Home will include bedroom, dining room, occasional and upholstery pieces, as well as accent pieces that range from classic to those that are distinctly Church. Highway to Home is not a music-based collection, but instead, founded on the life experiences Church has gained as he travels from venue to venue. Just like Church’s music, the first four distinct collections of Highway to Home cannot be categorized into one style. “Highway to Home is about the journey home----the ultimate destination,” said Pulaski Furniture President Page Wilson, Church’s partner in this now-realized venture. “This is not necessarily about Eric’s songs or performances, but instead founded on the adventures and experiences of a traveling musician through the eyes of a creative writer as he travels the world from show to show and home again.” Church has designated a portion of the proceeds from Highway to Home to be donated to JDRF through his Chief Cares foundation. JDRF is the leading global organization focused on type 1 diabetes research. Church, who has personal ties to diabetes through family members, is committed to combating this disease that strikes all ages.
Highway to Home is available at select retailers nationwide. For additional information visit: ericchurch. com/highwaytohome.
TINY HOMES MAYBE A GREAT COTTAGE I like having a lot of space to roam around in and I’m not sure I could ajust to the hottest thing right now which is Tiny Homes. I can see that they would be attractive if you are alone or your family has grown and you are now empty nesters. It would take quite an ajustment I would think if you are use to having lots of space. If you have some land and you are only home to sleep, eat and relax a bit this might be perfect for you. There is a company called Tiny Heirloom out of Portland OR. I am sure they would come to Canada to design and build your home. Tiny Heirloom are seen on TV on DIY Network and HGTV. They specialize in building pure custom tiny homes. Custom is a very misused word in the tiny home industry – it should never be confused with “customizing” – which is building off of an existing concept or plan. That’s not their style. At Tiny Heirloom each one of their custom tiny homes literally starts with a blank page. They work closely with all of their clients to customize their Tiny Heirloom exactly how they desire. Each custom Tiny Heirloom is a unique and custom creation in itself. But it goes far past the aesthetic design. The quality of construction is equally, if not more, important to them as the design and overall look of all their custom tiny homes. From the way they build it to the construction materials
they use, they go above and beyond to assure that each Tiny Heirloom is second to none. As the first defense against natural elements we pride ourselves on creating a tight envelope that will stand up to harsh conditions. Cedar siding on exteriors which not only saves weight but stands up to weather better than other traditional wood siding. To top it off, roofs are all standing seam metal roofs. It sheds rain, reflects heat and ignores snow and ice. With a life span longevity second to none it is suited in every climate. The metal roof is made with 100% recycled material. You can see that on the opposite page. The framing of each tiny home is an element in construction that should never have any compromises. If choosing traditional timber we make it a point to not skimp when it comes to important aspects like weatherproofing and structural integrity. Don’t use any particleboard (or OSB) which is prone to swelling and crumbling. If using steel, work closely with the best companies to assure your tiny home doesn’t just benefit from the weight savings of steel but that you’ll also have the highest quality framing construction that money can buy.
15 Best-Life Secrets Tiny House Dwellers Know We got this article from HGTV and thought we would share some information with you.
Your stuff should multitask as much as you do.
Radical downsizing may be a daydream for most people — but the intrepid folk who live in itty-bitty homes have a thing or two to teach the rest of us about living the good life and making the most of what we’ve got. Sweat the small stuff.
You might not be in the market for a Murphy bed that folds up into the wall, but who couldn’t make use of some clever under-the-stairs storage or an ottoman that doubles as a coffee table? A simple color palette is your friend.
Spell out a clever phrase with bathroom tile. Splurge each week on a bouquet of fresh flowers for the kitchen counter. Tuck favorite figurines on each shelf of a bookcase. As tiny houses and the people who love them demonstrate, little things can have a big impact. Square footage ain’t nothin’ but a number.
It’s far simpler to shuffle furnishings from space to another when the hues you’ve chosen are part of the same family; wildly differing colors and motifs, on the other hand, can make your home feel disjointed (and perhaps a wee bit like a hotel with room themes.) Make the most of outdoor space.
Whether you’re in a downtown studio apartment or a one-room cabin in Montana, your home’s footprint doesn’t have to prevent you from living large; with a bit of strategic thinking (and a well-constructed loft bed, of course), any space can feel like a palace.
Tiny house dwellers treasure details like rooftop decks and front porches because their interior spaces are limited — but those spots are just as lovely for those of us who don’t eat breakfast three feet from where we sleep. Outdoor living room, anyone?
Personal space is a state of mind.
Go easy on your roommates.
Wouldn’t it be lovely to have a room of one’s own, à la Virginia Woolf, for producing art (or, you know, taking luxurious bubble baths, or assembling complicated model train sets)? In close quarters, your home office or reading nook might have to do double duty as the kitchen table or guest bedroom — but with a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones or a favorite throw blanket, you can make it yours.
Whether you share one room or twelve, going to bed angry is a lose-lose proposition. Of course, the stakes are a little higher in a tiny house, since getting kicked out of the sleeping loft means having to curl up on the kitchen floor. Make your bed (beautiful.)
Your home doesn’t have to dominate your expenses. Most of us spend between a third and half of our income just putting a roof over our heads; 68% of tiny-house dwellers, on the other hand, have no mortgage at all. It’s easy to get sucked into believing you need the biggest home you can afford, but thinking small can free up funds for other priorities (like that backpacking trip you’ve always wanted to take.) Make a list (and check it twice.) Tiny house dwellers are grocery-shopping strategists because they simply can’t store impulse purchases and bulk pantry items. Thinking like they do and limiting yourself to what you need minimizes waste and keeps your wallet from getting too roomy, as it were.
Bedrooms are often the last places we bother to furnish; after all, who’s going to see them? Even if you don’t live in a space where your sleeping spot is visible to one and all (or even just dinner guests who need somewhere to stash their coats), you owe it to yourself to furnish it with care; after all, you see it all the time. Less home means less home improvement.
Almost anything can be a home. Shipping containers, vintage trailers, trees — if it’s big enough for a welcome mat, it’s big enough to be a tiny house. That really puts “necessities” like walk-in closets in perspective, doesn’t it? (Technically, some walk-in closets are probably big enough to be considered tiny houses.)
For DIY pros, the projects that come with home ownership can be a delight. For everyone else, there’s an undeniable appeal to being able to paint the entire house (or pay someone else to paint the entire house) over the course of a single weekend.
Surround yourself with your favorite stuff (and curb the rest).
Invest in basics that are pretty enough to display.
Like Marie Kondo, the bestselling author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, tiny house dwellers limit themselves to possessions that “spark joy.” Take a page from their books, so to speak: If your stuff isn’t serving a purpose or making you smile, is there really room for it in your life? Sorry, dusty old bowling trophies.
Since hidden storage is at a premium, many tiny house dwellers keep things like dishes out in the open — and choose pieces that brighten the corners they occupy. Bigger-house dwellers should follow their lead, no?
Open space is a luxury. An interior that’s stuffed to the gills can be more than a little exhausting. Unoccupied areas, on the other hand, are a breath of fresh air.
Tiny homes are not for everyone so make sure you do your homework. See if you can find some that are in your area and go and visit them. Also look on TV to see if you can find any shows on Tiny Homes. You will see how they are built and how much or little room you have. This is serious downsizing so you won’t have many places to leave things lying around. One thing you may consider is having a tiny home as a cottage. A reasonable way of having a place to go on weekends andwho knows maybe you will get use to it and move to the cottage. Go to http://www.hgtv.com/shows/tiny-house-bigliving/ to learn more about tiny homes
Who to Wat It is a long and sometimes a hard road in the music business. From the small stages to the major festivals takes putting out great music to building a strong fan base. Keith Urban once told me when I asked for his advice for newer acts. He said “Play everywhere you can, as often as you can.” Vince Gill told me “Don’t do it for the money or the fame do it because you love it.” Today we feature acts that have seen success in 2016 and acts that are well on their way to the next level.
JESSICA MITCHELL
Jessica went viral when she posted a video of her hearing her single “workin On Whiskey” on radio for the first time. When listening to Mitchell’s music, she makes it very easy for you to latch onto her inviting melodies and the genuine, soulful nature of her words. The rich tone and hopefulness in her voice grabs you and pulls you in – and once the song is over, you can’t help but feel as though you have personally connected with her on a deeper level. 2016 saw Jessica play all the major festivals and we will hear a lot more from Jessica in 2017.
FAST RISE TO STARDOM FOR COLD CREEK COUNTY Cold Creek County is a Canadian country rock group. Its members are Doug Oliver, Josh Lester,Trevor MacLeod and Justin Lester. They were founded in 2013 and signed to Sony Music Canada in 2014. Cold Creek County come by their name naturally. Cold Creek, which runs through the rolling hills, apple orchards and villages in central Ontario near locations the band members call home. Band members literally cross Cold Creek to get to each other’s homes. They have
released four singles off their debut album all HAVE reached into the top 20 with “Our Town” reaching number 7 “Till The Wheels Come Off ” topped at 15 “Beer Weather” # 18 and “Still That Way” their current single still climbing the charts. They spent the summer playing coast to coast at every major festival. They are currently in the studio recording their next album. Brandon Scott is pursuing a solo career.
tch in 2017!
FROM PRO HOCKEY PLAYER TO COUNTRY MUSIC STAR! JOJO MASON
Jojo Mason (born February 26, 1990 in Regina, Saskatchewan) is a Canadian country music singer-songwriter. Mason moved to Victoria, British Columbia in 2004 to play hockey at the junior ranks but suffered a herniated disk. Later, he met songwriter/producer Dan Swinimer and worked on developing his vocals. He signed to Manicdown Productions in 2014 and released his debut single, “It’s All Good”, in early 2015. It reached the top 10 on the Billboard Canada Country chart. Mason’s second single, “Good Kinda Love”, was released in November 2015. He signed to 604 Records for the release of his third single, “Red Dress”, in May 2016. 2017 looks bright to say the least for Jojo Mason.
“BOW CHICKA WOW WOW” THE SINGLE THAT BROGHT MEGHAN PATRICK TO STAR STATUS Meghan released her debut album, Grace & Grit, on April 29, 2016. Prior to setting out as a solo artist, Patrick was the lead singer of the popular roots act The Stone Sparrows. The Stone Sparrows released an EP and a full-length album before the members parted ways amicably in 2013 after playing their second Boots and Hearts Music Festival. Since going solo, Patrick signed a recording contract
with Warner Music Canada, and a publishing deal with Olé Nashville. Her debut album, Grace & Grit, was released on April 29. In making this album Patrick worked with producers Justin Niebank (Vince Gill, LeAnn Rimes), Vince Gill, Chad Kroeger, Chris Baseford (Nickelback, Avril Lavigne) and Carly McKillip. We are sure 2017 will be a big year for Meghan and well deserved.
JAMES BARKER BAND A PARTY BAND REACHING INTO THE TOP 10 IN 2016 The James Barker Band are from Woodville Ontario and include members James Barker, Taylor Abram, Connor Stephen and, Bobby Martin. Their first single was Lawn Chair Lazy which reached #5 on the Billboard charts. Signed to Universal Music they just released their second single “Just Sayin’” We couldn’t find any bio info on the band. They have been a huge success in 2016 and will continue into 2017.
Here we spotlight five Indie Artists that we feel are set for stardom in the near future. Being an Indie artist is very difficult because all the expenses are out of pocket from recording to releasing to tracking and it leaves little for promotion. Indie artists usually depend on social media and local performances to build their fan baase. We have so much talent in Canada it was hard to choose who we feel will break through in 2017. We chose Andrew Frelick, Lauren Mayell, Adam Karch, Stevie Jewel and Steve Rivers. We plan on featuring more next month.
ANDREW FRELICK MUSIC IS IN HIS BLOOD
Dynamic and determined are just two words that can best describe Halifax, NS born country artist, Andrew Frelick! Growing up in nearby Bridgewater, NS, Andrew is a natural talent delivering rich vocals, country guitar, and a polished live off the floor sound. Rapidly building momentum following artist showcase performances during the 2015 CMA Fest & CCMA weeks, Andrew is making his mark in country music, and is definitely one to watch. It just so
happens that Andrews Aunt is none other than Carrol Baker. Andrew did well with his single “When I Was Little” and will opened for Carrol in November. The thing that caught our attention is that Andrew is a family man first (just follow him on social media) and music is a close second. Andrew has made a mark in the Martimes and Nashville and we see him breaking nationally across Canada in 2017. Andrew will be releasing a new single this summer.
FUN, FOCUSED, DRIVEN, DISCIPLINED SHOWS THROUGH IN LAUREN MAYELL’S MUSIC Steeped in culture, tradition and landscape magnificence, Calgary is also home to some of the world’s most recognized names in music. Enter Lauren Mayell, who is quickly making a name for herself in the country genre while embodying the warmth and charm that her hometown is. Lauren’s bigger than life vocals, heartfelt and poignant lyrics, coupled with a profound stage presence caught the attention of country superstar George Canyon and Calgary-based producer, Graham Sharkey. The two quickly became three, with Lauren recording a 5-song EP under the guise and direction of the always-in-demand gents. This body of work catapulted Lauren into the media, adding live performances to her schedule, all the while deepening her certainty that music is where she belonged. Nominated for Alberta Country Music Association’s Female Country Artist of the Year (2012, 2014-15), Lauren was also nominated as ACMA’s Fan’s Choice of the Year for 2012 through to 2014 consecutively. Having opened for Wes Mack, Dean Brody and Dr. Hook. Lauren’s current single is “Better Believe”. We believe Lauren will break through in 2017 with national success and a solid fan base. You can catch Lauren this summer as she was the winner f the 105 Rising Star giving her a spot on the main stage at Country Thunder in Calgary.
STEVIE JEWEL SINGER/SONGWRITER MAKING A NAME FOR HERSELF ACROSS CANADA AND USA Brad Paisley once told us to be successful in this business attend one of the Universities in Nashville like Belmont which is famous for turning out stars like Brad Paisley, Florida Georgia Line, Josh Turner and many more. Stevie is in her last year at Belmont and headed for success. Stevie has performed in NYC, LA, Las Vegas and Chicago this year with great response. She has received radio airplay across Canada and plans are in
STEVE RIVERS
the works to release her music to the US market. With her strong songwriting and singing skills Stevie is one to watch in 2017. Watch for a new single soon! Steve Rivers current song “Where There’s Smoke There’s Whiskey” has officially hit over 70,000 plays on Spotify. As Steve says it’s Canadian made and Tennessee Inspired. Steve’s album “No Boundries” is now available. This is an album you need in your collection.
With a live show of high energy and excitement, Steve’s reputation has led him to open for national acts such as Eli Young Band, Frankie Ballard, Trace Adkins, Parmalee, Eric Paslay, Gregg Allman, Josh Thompson and Charlie Worsham. Established as one of the most exciting new artists in country music today Steve Rivers continues to perform on many notable stages in both Canada and the US making him a rising entertainer sure to watch out for in 2017!
MELISSA HUNT TAKING COUNTRY MUSIC BY STORM! Melissa Hunt standing 6ft, she is as talented, driven and down to earth as she is tall and ready to make her first footprint in Canadian Country Music. Performing live across her home province and the Maritimes she and her support team are preparing to campaign her first single “Smoke and Cinders” release and radio tour. Melissa strives to pave her way into the Canadian country music scene and 2017 is looking bright for Melissa Hunt to breakout across Canada and beyond.
From A Room: Volume 1 New Album From Chris Stapleton Chris has had a big 2016 and recently toured across Canada to rave reviews. With limited airplay over the last few years Chris has become a big star with a huge fan base.
Tracklisting: 1. Broken Halos (Chris Stapleton and Mike Henderson) 2. Last Thing I Needed, First Thing This Morning (Gary P. Nunn and Donna Sioux Farar) Chris Stapleton’s highly anticipated new album, From 3. Second One To Know (Chris Stapleton and A Room: Volume 1, will be released May 5 on MerMike Henderson) cury Records Nashville/ Universal Music Canada, the 4. Up To No Good Livin’ (Chris Stapleton and country’s leading music company and is now availCasey Beathard) able for pre-order digitally and with physical bundles. 5. Either Way (Chris Stapleton, Tim James and The highly anticipated full-length record is the first Kendall Marvel) new music from Stapleton since 2015’s breakthrough 6. I Was Wrong (Chris Stapleton and Craig double Platinum solo debut Traveller and will be Wiseman) followed by From A Room: Volume 2—coming later 7. Without Your Love (Chris Stapleton and this year. Mike Henderson) 8. Them Stems (Chris Stapleton, Jimmy Stewart The album takes its name from Nashville’s historic and Shawn Camp) RCA Studio A, where it was recorded during the 9. Death Row (Chris Stapleton and Mike Henwinter of 2016-2017. Once again produced by Gram- derson) my Award-winning producer Dave Cobb, Volume 1 features eight original songs as well as a rendition of “Last Thing I Needed, First Thing This Morning” written by Gary P. Nunn and Donna Sioux Farar and made famous by Willie Nelson. Other highlights include “Second One To Know” which Stapleton recently premiered at the 52nd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards as well as the album’s first single, “Either Way”. In addition to Stapleton on vocals and guitar and Cobb on acoustic guitar, the album features Morgane Stapleton on harmony vocals as well as longtime band-members J.T. Cure on bass and Derek Mixon on drums and musicians Mickey Raphael on harmonica, Robby Turner pedal steel and Mike Webb on keys.
Country Music Superstar Billy Ray Cyrus Celebrates 25th Anniversary Of “Achy Breaky Heart” With A Reissue It started out as a simple twochord song with one verse and chorus, and ended up becoming a worldwide phenomenon that topped charts around the globe and made a superstar out of a boy from Flatwoods, Kentucky. “Achy Breaky Heart,” the multi-million selling country single that pretty much launched the 90’s line dance craze, is undoubtedly one of the most history-making songs in all of country music history. The song created a sensation upon its release 25 years ago, and now the artist who made it a smash, Billy Ray Cyrus, is releasing a brand new version of the song with a host of different versions and guest artist appearances, including Ronnie Milsap on keyboard, in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the release of the original. The new cut was recorded in Muscle Shoals and co-produced by Cyrus and Don Von Tress, the writer of the quintessential hit. Cyrus sees plenty of parallels in the world at that time and now, and felt like it would be a good time to go back in and re-record the feel-good smash that had everybody’s hips shaking and feet moving to its groove.
“When the song was released in the spring of ‘92 the world, believe it or not, felt much like it does right now,” said Cyrus. “There were wars and rumors of wars. Famine and darkness was revealing itself much around the globe. People were divided. And politically it felt as crazy across America as it does now. Basically, it felt like a good time for a happy song. Something simple that everyone could sing and yes, even dance to. Take your mind off all the heavy stuff for 3 minutes and 27 seconds!” The new version of “Achy Breaky” is actually a little closer to writer Don Von Tress’ original vision and sound for the song that he penned over a quarter decade ago. “We went back to my original demo which was a little more back in the pocket, and Billy really loved the demo all those years ago and he said ‘Yeah, let’s try to emulate this thing,” recalls Von Tress of recording the new version. “So we kind of did that, but with some new twists. The song is so simple... it’s two chords and some nursery rhyme verses really, so we created something again we both just really love, and it’s just fun to have
the opportunity to put this song out again for people to really enjoy again. I really hope they love it as much as the first time!” For Cyrus, revisiting the hit that made him a worldwide superstar and laying down the track provided a real full circle moment in a career that has no doubt had plenty of memorable highlights. “For me personally it completed the body of work known as Some Gave All and a decade of persistence, dedication, failure, successes and a will to strive for purpose through the music,” said Cyrus. “A journey which led to a moment in time that just fit. Not to mention a friendship and musical soul mate that would last a lifetime. For you see, I had written “Some Gave All” about a Vietnam Veteran I met in 1989. Don Von Tress, himself a Vietnam Vet, walks into my life with what will become the cornerstone and launch pad for an album that represents a singer/songwriter from the Appalachian foothills of Eastern KY who had a dream and vision of touching peoples’ lives through music.
NEWS BITS KELSEA BALLERINI WINS A DISNEY AWARD
Country winners at Saturday’s 2017 Radio Disney Music Awards were Black River’s Kelsea Ballerini (who also co-hosted) for The Bestest/Country Favorite Artist and Play It Again/Country Favorite Song for “Peter Pan”; and Columbia’s Maren Morris for The Freshest/Country Best New Artist. Ballerini performed RDMA honoree Britney Spears’ “Oops! I Did It Again”; and a medley of “Love Me Like You Mean It,” “Dibs,” “Yeah Boy” and “Peter Pan”.The show aired Sunday (4/30) on the Disney Channel
BRAD PAISLEY DEBUTS AT NUMBER 1 Arista’s Brad Paisley debuted at No. 1 on the country albums chart with Love And War. The album sold more than 25,000 copies in its first week, according to Nielsen Soundscan. It’s Paisley’s ninth consecutive studio album debut in the top spot.
COMING TO CMA MUSICFEST? CMT MUSIC AWARDS ON JUNE 7TH Nashville’s Charles Esten will host the 2017 CMT Music Awards live from Nashville June 7. Blake Shelton, Brett Eldredge, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert and Thomas Rhett will perform, with additional performers and presenters TBA
I have always been a van guy since I had my first one in the 90’s. I travel alot on my own and with the family and I have always enjoyed the space that a van gives you. Today we will look at the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. As technology changes today’s vehicles are safer. The Chrysler Pacifica are now testing the Google’s self-driving technology. So lets look at the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. Delivering unparalleled levels of functionality, versatility, technology and bold styling, the all-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica redefines the minivan segment. As the original creator of the minivan more than 30 years ago, FCA US LLC has transformed the segment with firsts – notching 78 innovations through the first five minivan generations. With the introduction of the all-new Chrysler Pacifica, FCA adds 37 minivan firsts to its portfolio for an unprecedented total of 115 innovations in the segment. “The all-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica is truly a no-com-
promises minivan, giving customers everything they need or want,” said Timothy Kuniskis, Head of Passenger Car Brands, FCA - North America. “We started from the ground up to design the most technologically advanced minivan, which offers bold styling, class-leading ride and handling, and unmatched fuel economy, with the Pacifica Hybrid delivering up to 80 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) in city driving. The all-new Chrysler Pacifica was thoughtfully designed and engineered to provide unsurpassed levels of comfort, convenience, technology and functionality, making it the perfect combination for modern families.” The all-new Pacifica is engineered and executed to deliver a “vault-like” interior environment with low levels of wind noise, road noise and related vibration/ harshness characteristics. Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is standard on all models to further heighten the Chrysler Pacifica’s refinement factor during a comfortable daily commute or an extended road trip with family and friends.
You want space? The Chrysler Pacifica boasts the largest interior volume in the segment, with clever storage, available eight-passenger seating, and – a requirement with all generations of FCA minivans – the ability to fit an 8 x 4-foot sheet of plywood. Powertrain The all-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica minivan features a choice of two powerful, efficient and advanced powertrains – the segment’s first hybrid vehicle, and the next generation of the award-winning Pentastar V-6 gasoline engine, which is mated to a segment-exclusive TorqueFlite nine-speed automatic transmission. The Pacifica Hybrid, the industry’s first electrified minivan, will deliver an estimated range of 30 miles solely on zero-emissions electric power from a 16kWh lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery. In city driving, it is expected to achieve an efficiency rating of 80 MPGe based on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards. The pivotal technology behind the all-new Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid is its innovative electrically variable transmission (EVT). Designed by FCA US, the device features two electric motors, which are both capable of driving the vehicle’s wheels. On the Chrysler Pacifica gasoline models, the latest iteration of the award-winning 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine produces 287 horsepower and 262 lb.-ft. of torque, along with unsurpassed fuel economy (28 miles per gallon on the highway). Enhancements such as two-step variable-valve lift (VVL), cooled exhaust-gas recirculation (EGR) and innovative weight-reduction strategies boost the engine’s efficiency and performance, all while preserving the smoothness that remains a hallmark of the Pentastar brand. For added fuel efficiency, engine stop-start
(ESS) technology is a standard feature on the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica (late availability). Design Featuring the face of the Chrysler brand, the allnew Chrysler Pacifica has a sculpted exterior with athletic proportions. A fast silhouette and sophisticated, fluid-like surfacing deliver a level of style not found in the minivan segment. The Pacifica’s sliding door track lines are hidden under the rear-quarter side glass, making them virtually indistinguishable. With its long wheelbase, wide track, low ground clearance and available 20-inch wheels, the Chrysler Pacifica appears planted, with a capable stance. The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid features a unique front grille pattern and wheel design, as well as distinctive badging, differentiating it from the rest of the Pacifica lineup. The thoughtfully designed and beautifully crafted interior mixes high-tech elements with a sculpted, muscular feel. With horizontally drawn features, the interior’s spaciousness is amplified, and the linear elements keep the eye moving throughout the cabin. The available tri-pane panoramic sunroof, with a dual-pane panoramic sunroof over the first two rows and a fixed glass pane over the third row, adds to the feeling of spaciousness. The Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid are available in 10 exterior paint colors that accentuate the vehicle’s surfacing: Billet Silver Metallic Clear Coat, Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat, Bright White Clear Coat, Molten Silver Metallic Clear Coat, Velvet Red Pearl Coat, Jazz Blue Pearl Coat, Dark Cordovan Pearl Coat, Tusk White Pearl Coat, Granite Crystal Metallic Clear Coat and Silver Teal Pearl Coat
Safety and Security The all-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica showcases the latest in advanced safety and security technology, offering more than 100 standard and available features. Available for the first time on the all-new Pacifica is the Surround View camera, which uses four cameras positioned around the vehicle to provide 360-degree views, including a bird’s eye perspective of the vehicle and its surroundings. Other advanced features include: ParkSense Parallel/Perpendicular Park Assist, which uses ultrasonic sensors to guide the driver into parking spaces Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Hold, which maintains the distance between the vehicle and the one in front of it, and can bring the vehicle to a controlled stop under certain circumstances. Forward Collision Warning-Plus deploys the brakes to alert the driver if an impact appears imminent, and assists with driver response LaneSense Lane Departure Warning-Plus leverages electronic power steering (EPS) by delivering a torque input to alert and assist the driver with corrective action Other standard and available features include Blindspot Monitoring, ParkSense rear park assist with stop, ParkView rear backup camera, electronic stability control and electric park brake. As part of FCA US’s ongoing efforts to proliferate advanced safety and technology, the Pacifica’s all-new body structure features the use of additional high-strength steel.
equipped vehicle of its kind, offering an all-new Uconnect Theater entertainment system, 7-inch full-color driver information display, 8.4-inch touchscreen, acclaimed Uconnect Access and an array of other features. With the all-new, class-exclusive Uconnect Theater rear seat entertainment system, passengers can watch movies, play built-in games, connect personal devices to surf the Internet and stream content throughout the vehicle via two high-definition 10-inch touchscreens. The available KeySense programmable key fob places limits on speed and audio volume, mutes the audio when front seatbelts are not buckled, prevents the disabling of certain features like Forward Collision Warning-Plus and ParkSense rear park assist, and allows blocking of SiriusXM Radio channels.
and movie listings
The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica features the available easy-to-use Uconnect 8.4 system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, navigation, integrated voice command, and Uconnect Access, which keeps drivers and passengers connected with helpful information, such as fuel prices
For audiophile-quality sound, the Chrysler Pacifica comes standard with six speakers and Active Noise Cancellation. Premium audio systems, either a 13-speaker Alpine system or a 20-speaker Harman Kardon surround sound system, are also available.
The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica is loaded with comfort and The Chrysler Pacifica also boasts up to five seating po- convenience features, including Keyless Enter ‘n Go, sitions that will accommodate LATCH child safety-seat remote start, and heated and ventilated seats. Other installation – a capacity unsurpassed in the segment. notable features include segment-first handsfree sliding doors and liftgate, which are operated by making Technology and Convenience a kicking motion under the sliding door or bumper to The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica is the most technologically open the sliding doors or liftgate.
For added convenience, the available Stow ‘n Vac integrated vacuum powered by RIDGID provides easy access to all corners of the vehicle. The Stow ‘n Go seating and storage system, a hallmark of FCA US minivans for more than 10 years, has been redesigned for added ease of use, and the addition of the all-new Stow ‘n Go Assist feature helps to further simplify the process. With the press of a button on the B-pillar, the front seat moves forward to allow the second-row seat to be stowed into the floor tub. Once the seat is stowed, pressing the button again moves the front seat back to its starting position. In addition, the Easy Tilt second-row seats allow for easy access to the third row, even with an empty child seat installed in the second row. The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica is available in five models. The Chrysler Pacifica is now available in dealer showrooms, with the Pacifica Hybrid arriving in the second half of 2016.
BUILT IN CANADA The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica is built at the Windsor Assembly Plant in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. The base Pacifica Touring L will start at $45,740, while the midrange Touring L Plus will fetch $48,740. In Limited trim, it starts at $52,995, and with options, pricing will climb closer to $60,000. However, spec-forspec, the Pacifica remains competitively priced while being the most technologically advanced minivan on the market. We think the investment is well worth it especially for families on the go or for people that travel a lot and this would make for a great Band Van to travel from gig to gig.
DISTRACTED DRIVING A SERIOUS PROBLEM We have all seen and maybe some of us have done it from answering the phone to eating because we are in a hurry or maybe even doing other things as we drive. This is not only dangerous it could be deadly. We checked with the RCMP web site and the Insurance Bureau on stats and suggestions. Distracted driving is a form of impaired driving as a driver’s judgment is compromised when they are not fully focused on the road. Distracted driving qualifies as talking on a cell phone, texting, reading (e.g. books, maps, and newspapers), using a GPS, watching videos or movies, eating/drinking, personal grooming, adjusting the radio/CD and playing extremely loud music. Even talking to passengers and driving while fatigued (mentally and/or physically) can be forms of distracted driving. The legal impacts of distracted
driving can vary depending on the circumstances. In some provinces, a person can be fined up to over $500 and can lose up to 4 demerit points. Each province and territory in Canada has different laws regarding cell phone use while driving, as it is the number one cause of distracted driving in young adults. There are special circumstances under which it is safe to use a cellular device. If you see a hazardous driver swerving or driving erratically, safely pull over with your hazard lights on and call 9-1-1. Gather as many details as you can, including the direction in which the car was going, the street it was on, and the make and model of the vehicle. Knowing the licence plate number can help too.
Nearly 3 out of 4 Canadian drivers admit to driving distracted. You are 23 times more likely to crash if you text while driving. Scary stuff and it is not just the youth that do this. I have seen so many people trying to text and drive and I ask my self is it really that important to possibly cause a serious accident. You can also be heavily fined. See the chart to see what distracted driving could cost you in your province. http://www.ibc.ca/qc/auto/risk-management/distracted-driving The London Health Science Center in Ontario, Canada recently shared a heart wrenching story of distracted driving that profoundly affected a family in 2009. Josh, a popular and talented man young man was in the prime of his life, a life which was cut short in an instance because of distracted driving.
When a young life is lost on the road, it often becomes statistic added to the relentless death toll that is road traffic crashes. However, we know that behind every single life lost, the human tragedy is unquatifiable. Every day over 1000 young people are killed on the world’s roads and these deaths are more than just a number, they are brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, friends and loved ones. Josh’s Story was recently shared with us by the London Health Science Center (LHSC) in Ontario Canada. Josh’s Story has been captured in video and recalls the heartbreaking accounts, the moment when Josh was killed on the road because of distracted driving. The video recalls the moment in poignant conversations with friends and family. The devastation that is left behind when a young person is killed on the road is the key focus of the film. Josh’s friends recall the moment where they heard that ‘Josh was gone’ and the moment where they heard that the reason behind Josh’s death was because he reached for his mobile phone while driving.
This split second of distraction caused Josh to ‘end up in a ditch’ and cause injuries that tragically cost his life. In the hope of preventing such instances happening to other families, Josh’s parents hope to raise awareness of his story so as young people are aware of the speed in which a life can be taken because of distracted driving. LHSC say, “A moment of distraction led to a personal tragedy for a local family. We all make decisions, every day, sometimes the consequences of those decisions can be so final. This is Josh’s Story. We hope that this video makes you think twice before reaching for a phone or texting while driving”. Watch the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFPke9gBybc
What You Can Do To reduce distracted driving? Driving always requires your full attention. Here are some distracted driving solutions provided to help make your drive safer: Plan Your Route – Planning your route should occur before getting in the car so you have a good handle on where you’re going and how you’re going to get there. Plan how much time you’ll need to reach your destination, road closures to avoid and best time to leave. If you will be using a GPS system, program your route prior to starting the car. If your GPS can call out the turns, you should have it set to do so. Have the volume set so you can hear the instructions and do not need to glance down to view the GPS.
Passengers – Passengers in your vehicle is a common distraction, as a result, graduated licensing (in some provinces) limits the number of passengers that are allowed with a younger driver. Advise your passengers to be quiet if a risky situation arises on the road; your attention will be less on the road if you’re talking/listening to them. Silence will also help when deciding what the safest actions to take are.
had looked away from the road 3 seconds prior to the crash.
Having passengers in your car differs from talking on the phone because the person on the other end of the phone will not know when to be quiet as they are unable to spot any safety risks.
OneTap was built to help end distracted driving. It does this by automatically silencing texts and notifications on your phone, and by letting you know when your friends and family are behind the wheel, reducing the number of distractions while they drive.
Eating and Drinking – It’s best to avoid eating and drinking while driving. If you need to take a drink, wait until you are stopped at a red light. Music – Music should never be so loud that you would not be able to hear a siren, or the screech of brakes from another vehicle. Personal Grooming – Do your personal grooming at home, not while driving a vehicle. Secure Objects – Place any items like purses, backpacks and coats in the trunk or safely tucked behind the seat on the ground so they will not go flying if you have to brake in an emergency. Items that are flying around may distract you from the road. For example, items that are falling out of your purse might grab your attention and your instinctive reaction may be to reach for the things that are/went flying. Drivers who use hand-held devices are four times more likely to get into crashes serious enough to cause injury. Even when drivers use a hands-free phone, they are less aware of the traffic around them. They tend to react more slowly to a critical event or worse — they may not detect the danger at all. A study found that in 80% of collisions, the driver
There’s an App for that! We checked online and found an App called One Tap which we will spotlight here. There are several apps and we recommend to check them all out. I persoanlly turn my phone off or just don’t answer.
Driver Mode Manual or Automatic You set the app to driver mode with a single tap, or let your phone detect when you’re driving and enter driver mode automatically. Set Your Drive Time Enter your drive time or destination and OneTap will let people know when they can expect you to call them back. Passenger Mode If you’re riding shotgun, just tap the “Passenger” button to use your phone as normal and not be listed as “Driving” to your OneTap contacts. Manage Distractions If someone calls or texts while you’re driving, OneTap for Android blocks the alert and automatically replies with a message letting them know you’ll get in touch when you reach your destination. Visit online to find out all the features http://www. getonetap.com/ Apps are great but you have to use them. Teach your teens the dangers of distracted driving.
Ram Reveals New Rebel TRX Concept – 100-mph Off-road Pickup Rips With 575 Supercharged Horsepower Ram, America’s off-road truck leader, today introduced the Ram Rebel TRX concept. Rebel TRX is a 100-mph off-road machine with 575 horsepower – the most powerful half-ton truck the company has ever built. Ripping over pavement at speeds greater than 100 mph is an experience, but the Ram Rebel TRX concept hits triple digits in an off-road environment with the help of a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI® V-8. “Ram Truck heads to the 2016 State Fair of Texas with a host of product news plus a new concept that pickup fans will truly appreciate – the Ram Rebel TRX concept was built specifically for this event and solidifies Ram Truck’s position as the off-road pickup leader,” said Mike Manley, Head of Ram Brand, FCA – Global. “With 575 supercharged horsepower and a suspension system built to withstand an all-day hammering, the Rebel TRX concept can devour the roughest terrain at more than 100 miles per hour and never look back.” The rapidly beating heart of the Ram Rebel TRX concept is a powertrain marvel. A 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI with 575 horsepower, the most powerful Ram 1500 the company has ever built, lays the groundwork of expectation. Mated to the TorqueFlite 8HP70 eight-speed automatic transmission, new calibrations were used for the engine, transmission and drivetrain to optimize the expected high-speed off-road driving cycle.
The Ram Rebel TRX concept uses Ram’s 4x4 Performance Control System with a BorgWarner 44-45 transfer case. The system employs different modes of operation: Normal, Wet/Snow, Off-road and Baja. The Ram Rebel TRX concept uses a standard Ram 1500 front axle with an open differential and custom CV half-shafts to handle the wider track dimension. The spindles are moved forward to make room within the fender wells for the aggressive 37-inch tires. In the rear, a Dynatrac Pro 60 axle spools power through an electric, selectable locker to 35-spline, 1.5-inch axle shafts. The locker is available in all modes and commits both rear wheels to traction at the same speed, spreads the torque load and maximizes the tractive effort (power put to the ground) in full-throttle maneuvers. Engineering The Ram Rebel TRX has an exterior design that radiates focused aggression, which is only trumped by what lies under its skin. The concept was built around suspension and frame prerequisites. Equally important was adapting as many systems from the standard Ram 1500 as possible to ensure durability and proper function.
The high-strength steel frame structure of the Ram Rebel TRX is virtually unchanged when compared to a standard Ram 1500. The frame uses low-torsion attributes that increase durability, stability and handling precision. A 40 percent increase in suspension travel and 37inch tires contribute to incredible ground clearance. This combination allows the TRX concept to overcome surface obstacles at high speed. The front suspension incorporates custom-built upper and lower A-arms with special attention to caster and camber angles during suspension cycling. Overall, front- and rear-wheel travel is increased to more than 13 inches from the standard 9 inches. The front load is managed by a state-of-the-art, adjustable, performance coil-over shock with internal bypass. The result is a smooth ride over smaller bumps, and when the bumps become mounds, the reaction speed and heat dissipation is unbeatable, softening the impact on occupants and maintaining the tire-to-ground contact. The Ram 1500 uses an exclusive, best-in-class link coil rear suspension system that shares basic architecture with the fastest off-road trucks in desert racing. The frame’s hard points for the five-link suspension system are unchanged and allow the rear axle travel to span up to 13 inches, while standard rear-wheel travel on the Ram 1500 is 9.25 inches. New 2.5-inch bypass shocks use factory upper and lower shock mounts. The standard rear coils are swapped for performance springs located in the factory-spec positions. To provide incredible stopping power, the factory hydraulic-boost compensation unit enhances brake pedal feel and performance during emergency stop events. Baer brakes six-piston monoblock calipers mounted to 15-inch rotors equip the front. The rear uses six-piston calipers with 14-inch rotors.
High-speed off-road truck racing teams commonly use a 37-inch tire for its height and durability. Tires with 37 inches of height, 13.5 inches of width, aggressive treads and 10-ply design are assigned the task for Rebel TRX. The Rebel TRX concept also features custom beadlock wheels from Mopar. Beadlock wheels provide additional tire-holding strength by pinching the outside of the tire to the rim. The Rebel TRX carries two complete spare tire and wheel packages. Tools and jack are located in custom, lockable storage between the wheels in the bed. Design Although it is clear that the line and color combinations are borrowed from the popular Rebel and Power Wagon models, the Ram Rebel TRX has a much more chiseled look. Three letters burst clear of a Power Wagon-inspired grille spelling “RAM” in body-matching black and red. Out of necessity, the bold, scooped grille allows a fire-breathing supercharged engine to cool with additional air flow. Composite flares help compensate for a six-inch increase in track width and gave designers another location to mark their signature. A lower brush guard is forged in steel and up to the “rock knock” test. To clear the roots-style blower mounted atop the HEMI engine, the Rebel TRX uses a hood based on the taller Ram Heavy Duty design. The raised fender height matches shoulders to chest. A drone’s-eye view exposes bright LED clearance lighting and the acute hour-glass body lines as they dive back into the doors only to pop back out in the back, enabling rear tires to firmly tuck into the wells. The side of the Rebel TRX leads your eye to enormous five-inch, side-exit exhaust ports integrated within a fulllength rock rail for added body/sill protection.
Closing out the rear of the truck, a large “Ram” badge in Matte Black is borrowed from the Rebel and covers the tailgate. A custom rear steel bumper with integrated skid plate and tow hooks matches capability features on the front of the truck. When traversing rough terrain at high speeds, seating is important. The interior design team chose suede with accent mesh cloth inserts to cover the rear bench and front buckets. The suede inserts provide tremendous grip to clothing. The front seats integrate lateral support upper bolsters with embroidered logos. All four seats are strapped with six-point harnesses, further fixing occupants to their proper locations. An open upper glove box with elastic straps holds a sturdy TRX-labeled bag with color matched tools. A seven-inch thin-film transistor (TFT) display cluster features muddy tracks and TRX badge graphics. The same graphics fill the screen on an 8.4 Uconnect. To record TRX’s accomplishments, a custom camera mount is located at the rear-view mirror. The center console matches efforts on the instrument panel and includes a new polystable shifter trimmed in black suede and Header Red stitching. Designers re-trimmed the Rebel TRX armrests with solid
Header Red accent stitching and wrapped the upper bolster in suede to keep arms in place. Nylon-strap door pulls are embroidered with “Release.” A sport bar covered in black anodized paint provides anchor points dedicated to the six-point harnesses and spans from B-pillar to B-pillar – formed to allow maximum possible seat travel. The Rebel TRX interior floor trades carpet for black rubberized coating. Black all-weather mats from Mopar reduce foot slip when foot-to-pedal placement is crucial. One look at the Ram Rebel TRX concept and its intentions are clear — a 575-horsepower off-road machine with the ability to clear miles of desert in the blink of an eye.
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