New hall of fame inductees honoured
e Nova Scotia Country Music Hall of Fame has three new distinguished members.
Inducted in Truro Saturday were singer-songwriter Aaron C. Lewis, classic country artist Matt Balsor and instrumentalist Bill Guest. All three musicians gave a performance at the Best Western Glengarry during celebrations at the annual event.
“I was moved by these performances and I felt it was exactly what I wanted to hear from them; for example the instrumentalist was entered under the old-time ddler category, but he’s a great pianist also, so played piano as well. ey’re very talented,” said Roger Bleasdale, president of the Nova Scotia Country Music Hall of Fame.
Aaron C. Lewis is a professional singer and songwriter from Sydney who started performing when he was 16. He has toured the world as part of e Carlton Showband, led by his father Bobby Lewis. Lewis has shared the stage with major artists such as Tommy Hunter, Prairie Oyster, Alabama, Joe Di e, and Charlie Pride. In 2017, his nationally released single, Put a Little Love on It, sold 10,000 copies in three months.
Hantsport’s Matt Balsor has been performing classic country music for enthusiastic audiences for the last two decades. He has recorded 12 albums and has opened for Larry Gatlin and Carroll Baker, as well as many other Nova Scotia Country Music Hall of Fame members. In 2012, Balsor recorded duets with 25 other artists from across Nova Scotia, gaining international acclaim as a result.
Meantime, Dartmouth native Bill Guest is a multi-talented instrumentalist, known primarily as an accomplished ddler and pianist. His career has ranged from teaching music in his hometown to sharing the stage with stars such as Ray Price, Don Messer, Anne Murray and Doc Williams. He’s composed nearly 400 ddle tunes and has also written several music books.
e inductees did not disappoint on Saturday night and were well received by their audience.
“I was very pleased, I think that each of the inductees did a good job and I think the audience appreciated that,” said Bleasdale. “I think they honoured the Nova Scotia Country Music Hall of Fame with their performances.”
e audience enjoyed another short performance earlier in the evening by up and coming Nova Scotian talent Makayla Lynn, who is only 17 years old but already a rising country star with plans to pursue her career in Nashville.
Lewis, Balsor and Guest were all presented with their Hall of Fame medallions at the induction ceremony. ey are joining more than 80 other Nova Scotian country music artists and groups inducted over the last 22 years.
Bleasdale said nominations for next year’s Hall of Fame inductees are already rolling in, even before they o cially open on Oct. 15.