It was a beauty of a day in Fredericton, NB and a perfect day for a music festival! Maritime Countryfest’s annual outdoor event took place over the weekend in Fredericton’s Officer’s Square. Unlike previous festival, this year was just a single day event, as opposed to a multi-day event. However, that did not mean that there would be a shortage of great live entertainment from some of country music’s finest!
First to grace the stage was the Maritime’s own, Makayla Lynn. Barely a teenager, this young lady can certainly draw a crow with her songs like “Don’t Quit Your Daydream, “ and most her recently released track, “Fallen Hero,” written by Makayla in tribute to the RCMP officers who lost their lives a little over a year ago in Moncton, NB. That particular song hit home to a lot of people attending, and for some when asked, said that hearing the song was one of the highlight of their festival experience that day. I think it’s safe to say that we will be seeing a lot of Makayla Lynn for years to come.
Next up was Sundy Best out of Lexington, Kentucky. Sundy Best’s first visit to the Maritimes came when they toured with Dallas Smith on his “Tippin’ Point” Tour in early 2015. Sundy Best has really re-imagined what it means to give a great live performance with their unique sound. With Nick Jamerson’s Southern powerhouse vocals, and Kris Bentley’s intense box-drum technique on the Cajon, on songs like “I Wanna Go Home” and “Until I Met You” from their 2014 album “Bring Up the Sun, “ they provided fans with an authentic and raw musical experience. The groups’ resonance with fans really showed with new and old fans alike, as even well after their set that day, they were surrounded by people wanting to talk with them, and take pictures.
Multi-platinum artist, and Grand Ole Opry Member, Joe Diffie was up next and fans, of course, loved every minute of his set. With #1 hits like “3rd Rock from the Sun,” “John Deere Green” and “Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox”, he had everyone clapping and singing along with every word. Joe even performed a rendition of the Jason Aldean hit, “1994” that was written as a tribute to Diffie. We even saw a whole different side of him when he performed what he called, “hick-hop” in his song “Girl Ridin’ Shotgun, “ which was written for Aldean in response to “1994.” Normally performed alongside the Jawga Boys, Diffie performed both the singing and rap vocals of the song, much to the enjoyment of the crowd. With his hit songs, paired with great story-telling ability and hilarious sense of humor, Joe Diffie’s performance at Maritime Countryfest is one fans won’t soon forget.
Gracing the stage next was the CCMA Award winning, and one of the top selling Canadian country groups of all-time. The Road Hammers fronted by Canadian country music veteran, Jason McCoy, with members Clayton Bellamy, and Chris Byrne, gave fans a high octane version of Rock-Country that left fans begging for more. Their take on covers like “Eastbound and Down, “and “Everywhere Man” really excited the crowd and had everyone dancing and clapping. The band of course performed singles off their newest released album, “Wheels” that included songs like “Mud” as well as the classic McCoy tune, “Born Again in Dixieland. Closing the show, they were encored back to the stage where they performed one of their first hits, “I’m a Road Hammer.” Judging by their performance, the Maritimes will certainly be graced with their presence again real soon.
The final performance of the evening was the highly anticipated CCMA Award-winning, multi-platinum recording artist, Johnny Reid. From the second he reached the stage, his high energy had the audience gripped. With his hit songs like, “Today I’m Gonna Try and Change the World, “Dance With Me,” and “Darlin’,” he proved that he was not just a country artist. Johnny Reid is truly a category all his own, and it shows with his incredible, and raspy vocal accompanied by his powerful full band and singers backing him up. Fans really couldn’t get enough of him – such is the same every time he visits the Maritimes! To say he had the crowd in the palm of his hands was a real understatement. They were truly entertained by him that night.
Maritime Countryfest brought with it, as it always does, music for every age group. After speaking with fans of the festival afterwards, they are already eagerly excited to attend Maritime Countryfest 2016 – as are we at Atlantic Canada Rocks!
~Peace, love & Music!