Michelle Wright at Sunset Amphitheatre on Saturday

LEAMINGTON — The Municipality of Leamington, in partnership with The Bank Theatre, will host its second free concert at Sunset Amphitheatre, Seacliff Park on Saturday, September 18 at 8:00 pm.

This concert features one of Canada’s most widely recognized and awarded country artists, Michelle Wright. Growing up in Merlin, Ontario, a small Canadian farming community near Chatham, Michelle Wright heard the rhythm & blues and Motown hits coming out of Detroit. But especially, she heard the strains of country music since her parents were both country performers.

“My earliest memories of music are singing in the car or spending the weekend with my father after my parents separated and watching him put on a rhinestone-studded suit to perform in,” she says. As a young girl, Michelle tagged along to countless shows.

“We were never a family band, but I got a lot of inspiration and encouragement from my mother,” she added. “That’s where my love of country music really began.”

With the hopes that the pandemic is coming to a close, Michelle Wright is ready for her return to the road and is poised for the next phase of what has already been a stellar international musical career, one that has seen her grace concert stages around the world and earned her 25 Top Ten radio hits, more than 40 major awards (including her 2011 induction into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, Juno, Country Music Association of Ontario and Government of Canada Diamond Jubilee Awards).

Michelle continues to show her fans that the feisty girl from rural Merlin is here to stay.

Or, as she says, “What a way to make a living! I plan on making and playing music for a long time to come.”

Local country blues musician Ryan Bradley opens the show at 8:00 pm.

Ryan’s bluesy delivery and traditional approach to his brand of country music is turning heads. Ryan has placed in the Top 25 of the Music City Songwriting Competition with his self-penned song, ‘Rural Route 4.’

His first two radio singles, ‘Next Weekend’ and ‘Wish You Could’ve Seen Your Face’, both reached the Top 100 and established his place in the Canadian country music community.

Ryan has notably worked with producer Danick Dupelle of Emerson Drive and his latest single, ‘Kissed Me Back’ was co-written by Dierks Bentley.

All are welcome to attend these free, un-ticketed outdoor events. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and get set up on the lawn for the show. Concert goers must adhere to Ontario COVID-19 regulations including wearing a mask or face covering unless seated with members of their own household.