FEBRUARY28,2016
FEATURING:
COLDCREEKCOUNTY INTERVIEWS WITHCAM DREWGREGORY DOMINO& TWOSHINE COUNTY
DREW GREGORY "
I just want to add a very big heartfelt thank you to all the fans and supporters of my music, as well as all country music across Canada. I think we have a great industry here and thanks to Countrified Canada and all your readers for all you do to promote it!
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Congratulations on your recent ACMA Male Artist of the Year win, tell us about the journey to grace that honour? Thank you so much! The journey has been amazing! Considering about 6 years ago I had never even taken money for a gig, I couldn?t be happier with how it has gone. Three albums and 100?s of shows later, looking back, I think one of my favourite parts about the whole thing has been getting to connect with so many great industry people across the country, down in Nashville, and right here in Alberta. I?ve made some great friends in the industry and to be voted Male Artist of the Year by them was an honour I can?t even put into words. I?m so thankful to everyone who has supported me along the way.
GETTINGTOKNOW: DOMINO
Winning the ACMA Group &/ or Duo & Fans' Choice Awards has not been the result of an overnight success, tell us about the path taken to this success? It?s been far from an overnight success, but we?ve enjoyed the journey. Like the majority of artists, we started locally and not always have we been Domino. We all have performed with other bands prior to the four of us connecting. One could say there was a
unique chemistry when we all met and the bond has continued to grow with each step we take. Each of us has diverse musical experiences, which has totally helped us grow not only as musicians but as entertainers. Numerous rehearsal hours have contributed to perfecting our harmonies and performances. We all appreciate and respect the different qualities that each of us brings to our group Domino!
What are the unique challenges & benefits when working as a group? Each of us brings a different viewpoint (musically and artistically) to the band and we take care to express that. We seem to balance each other out when it comes to the emotion, tempo and message that we want conveyed. Not to say that it's always easy... But it seems to give us the best results.
SEVENTH ANNUAL BIG HEARTS FOR BIG KIDS BENEFIT CONCERT BREAKS MILLION DOLLAR MILESTONE
Award-winning Canadian country music sensation, Tenil l e, hosted her seventh annualBig Hearts For Big Kids fundraiser at the Entrec Centre in her hometown of Grande Prairie, Alberta. Held on February 13, 2016, the event raised $225,000 and was hosted by country superstar Deric Rut t an. The evening included performances by Tenille as well as top Canadian country acts, including headliner Doc Wal ker, Jason Bl aine, Michel l e Wright , and The Bros Landret h. This years event helped the charity break the million dollar milestone, with all proceeds going directly toSunrise House, a Grand Prairie-based, emergency youth shelter that serves a wide area of Northern Alberta. Canadian Tire is the sponsor to this year's event. "It's incredible to watch this event continue to grow and make a huge impact on the youth in our community. The spirit in the room is my favourite thing to witness and I'm always blown away at the generosity. We really couldn't do this without the love and support of our amazing committee, volunteers, sponsors, artists, and everyone that comes and participates. And it is such an important cause- over 6,000 bed nights have been counted at the Sunrise House since Big Hearts For Big Kids started. They have a safe place to turn to because of the support from Grande Prairie and surrounding regions and that is pretty amazing," said Tenille.
Q. You've had an amazing year! What can you tell us about the writing and recording process? A: Yeah, it was a super busy year, which incl uded a t on of songwrit ing. We ended up co-writ ing wit h a l ot of dif f erent peopl e and even had a f ew writ ing t rips t o Nashvil l e. At t he end of t he day, we have f ound a very cohesive and easy writ ing process. We l eave no st one-unt urned haha! Same t hing goes when we?re in t he st udio. Let t he creat ivit y f l ow, we t ry t o l et every idea have a chance bef ore moving on t o somet hing el se. You just never know what you?l l f ind if you don?t go down t hat road. Q: Countrified Canada readers want to know what it was like to play the Calgary Stampede? A: The Cal gary St ampede real l y is somet hing t o behol d. The at mosphere, t he energy, and just how ready peopl e are t o have a great t ime is t he perf ect pl ace f or us t o l et TwoShine do it s t hing. Such appreciat ion f or count ry music in al l t hose great venues, and we l oved seeing al l t he t housands of f aces in t he audience! Great get t ing al l t he
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ON TOUR Countrified was thrilled to join Cold Creek County as they opened for Tim Hicks last year. They chatted all things tour, music & even who they wanted to open for them! COUNTRIFIED: When did you first meet Tim Hicks ? CCC: Halifax at the CCMAs. COUNTRIFIED: Did you put this tour together after Halifax?? CCC: The Tour was already set up before we met. We got to meet Tim and Jason in Halifax for the first time so it was great to finally start up a friendship with each other before we hit the road. I COUNTRIFIED: I was going to be really
impressed there for a minute that you were able to throw it all together in a couple of months. CCC: laughs COUNTRIFIED: How long does it take to prep and rehearse for a tour? CCC: I don?t think you are ever really ready so what we do is just practice a lot to be as well rehearsed as possible to go in any situation. It?s a process, like every day learn a little thing here or there, do your best to prepare for it. We work a lot anyway even if there?s not a tour coming up. Once we heard this tour was coming, then you get to learn how long your slot is going to be, and then you get to decide how many
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CAMINCANADA
To find out who Cam fangirled at the Grammys & what advice she gives to other new artists, listen to the entire interview at www.countrified.ca!
ONTOUR COUNTRIFIED: Is this your first trip to Canada? CAM: Yes it is. Well, professionally speaking, I?ve been to Vancouver with a friend for a girl?s weekend one time. And that?s it. Yesterday in Calgary was my first show in Canada. COUNTRIFIED: Do you find there is a difference in Canadian audiences and American? CAM: You know, I think it?s kind of like, how, I?m assuming the States are sort of different depending on where you?re at. In different areas of the country that you are in, people seem to be more reserved or they definitely drink and they have a good time and they?re louder and I think it kinda just depends on where you?re at in the country to sort of see it. But no, everyone seems to be as sweet as all get out too. You?re probably a little bit
SPOTLIGHT How did you come up wit h t he name ?New Count ry Spirit ?? I started brainstorming and really taking a good look at what?s important and what I wanted the name and brand to stand for. I realized a few things? I love country music and appreciate both classic country and the new and evolving country music of today To me, whether classic or new, there is a heart and soul...a spirit, to country music that is universal. It tells a story ? life at sea, life on the road, love of the land, the independent spirit and the triumphs and tragedies that are part of all our lives. Country music also brings to mind values of hard work, perseverance, pride in artistic workmanship, creativity, as well as a respect for how things were made back in the day. Wanted products to look good and to also reflect how we feel on the inside ? to touch those same universal feelings when we hear a great country song ? something that touches or speaks to our heart, our soul, and what we value like family, love, strength and kindness. So I thought, what if I could find local artisans that could blend ?days of old? techniques, like forging iron, hand tooling leather and carving, with new processes, to create a unique line of accessories that reflects or interprets the heart and soul of country.
After writing down lots of possible names, I called my sister Linda and asked for her help. She is a force and when she takes on a project-- look out. Before I knew it, texts were flying back and forth and within about 10 minutes she came up with the name: New Country Spirit. Our logo was designed by my daughter, Caitlin. Are you a f an of Count ry music? Absolutely! I love so many different types of music ? jazz, blues, folk, rock, opera, classical ? I can thank my Mom and Dad for this love as I grew up in a home listening to my Dad?s reel to reel player; but there is just something about country music - it reminds me to appreciate all the moments (the ups and downs) in life, to love, to dance (yes, I love my line dancing family!), to laugh, to sing your heart out at a concert or to roll down the window and blast the music! Favourit e Canadian Count ry music art ist / group? This is a tough one! How can I not mention the great country music artists on our Ambassador Team ? Riki Knox, South of 7 and Gloria Digby? Love High Valley ? 'Come on Down' and Dean Brody. Tel l Count rif ied Canada readers a bit about your product s? At New Country Spirit, our goal is to be the go to place for country-inspired accessories! We love collaborating with our artists to
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