Neon and Denim: An Unforgettable Night of Emerging Canadian Country Musicians
On Saturday, July 15th, The Rivoli was the place to be as it played host, in collaboration with Dave Woods, to a showcase of Canada’s top emerging country musicians. The night was an incredible blend of original tunes and classic country covers, bringing forth a scene rarely seen in Toronto’s music landscape and creating a spotlight for a night filled with joy and entertainment.
Kicking off the night was the talented singer/songwriter Matt Teed, who delighted the audience with a selection of awesome originals as well as a great cover of Cage The Elephant’s “Ain’t No Rest for The Wicked”, putting a country twist on an indie classic.
Next in line was the vibrant Jessie T who charmed the crowd with her fun-loving energy. Her set featured exciting new original releases like “Just a Number” and “I Can Be Your Margarita,” setting a great mood for a lively Saturday night.
Following Jessie T was James Downham, a notable country singer from Stratford, Ontario, and the Season 2 winner of The Shot, North America’s” most intense virtual songwriting competition”. The highlight of Downham’s set was undoubtedly his performance of the new radio single “Wine and Whiskey” from his latest album “The Long Way Home.”
After an energizing performance from Downham, the bustling cowboy boot-wearing crowd enjoyed a brief intermission before Nicole Rayy took the stage. With over 3.5 million cataloged streams to date, Rayy is a rapidly growing name in the country music industry. Her set featured the memorable original song, “Feels Like Yesterday” which possesses the potential to become a beloved country classic.
The multi-talented Kelsi Mayne graced the stage next despite her busy schedule as an actress, model, registered nurse, and chief medical director at Pulsar Film Solutions. The crowd at The Rivoli was filled with gratitude for making time for a performance on this Saturday night.
The stage was then Dean James’ who brought his raw country spunk to the forefront. Barefoot and full of passion, he closed the night with his latest love song, “Take My Time On You,” establishing his place as an exciting up-and-comer in the country music scene.
To conclude the evening on a high note, all the night’s performers came together to sing the last couple of songs. The venue was brimming with music, laughter, and the clinking of glasses, embodying a perfect night of country music that will be etched in memories for the weeks to come.