George Canyon headlines CiderFest country music lineup in Winona
Canadian country is hitting the stage at CiderFest 2017, June 23 and 24 at Puddicombe Farm in Winona.
The two-day festival celebrates the best in country music and local cider producers, a returning event that has brought huge crowds to the rural venue in Winona.
Topping the bill and headlining the Saturday show is country music superstar George Canyon. The twotime Juno winner and Platinum selling artist is one of Canada’s favourite music acts and a member of the Nova Scotia Country Music Hall of Fame. An international star, he is a past winner of France’s Music Box Awards New Male Artist award and his philanthropic work is well known, especially working with children’s hospitals. With 10 studio albums under his belt, Canyon has a huge catalogue to draw upon.
Joining Canyon on Saturday is opening act JJ Shiplett, Jason Benoit, and Madeline Merlo. The Calgary-based Shiplett just released his debut album in January, and his music has drawn comparisons from critics to Bruce Springsteen and Chris Stapleton.
Benoit is a Newfoundland-born artist and the first winner of the CCMA Discovery Atlantic Award. He is starting his rise in the country music industry, bringing an East Coast sound that has already garnered a top-10 single. Madeline Merlo hails from the Pacific shores of British Columbia, and is both a B.C. Country Music Award Female Vocalist of the Year and CCMA Rising Star award winner.
Friday’s lineup starts with the Ottawa-area’s River Town Saints, who released their debut album June 9.
Recently announced Kira Isabella brings her lively presence to the Friday night lineup. Ontario-born Isabella is a CCMA Rising Star and Female Artist of the Year winner, and boasts three top-10 singles.
Friday’s headliner, AustralianCanadian Gord Bamford, is a 16 time CCMA award winner, including a Male Artist of the Year trophy. This four-time Juno nominee has five studio albums in his career so far.
Tickets for the two day event are still available through the CiderFest.ca website, for both single day and weekend passes. Advance passes are $50 for Friday and $60 for Saturday, or $100 for both days. Parking is extra.