The second annual Capital Hoedown, the largest star-studded country music festival in North America, kicked off last night at LeBreton Flats Park.
MacKenzie Porter opened up the three day festival, as she has previously, for Kenny Chesney, Tara Oram and Doc Walker.
MacKenzie Porter was raised on a cattle and bison ranch in Southern Alberta. At the young age of four, she began studying piano, violin, and voice. MacKenzie toured for a number of years with a family band including her brother Kalan Porter (2004 winner of Canadian Idol). She is currently writing and recording her upcoming debut album. This summer, MacKenzie won the Nashville North Star competition and has recently opened for Kenny Chesney, Doc Walker, Trooper and the Canadian Tenors.
Speaking of Canadian Idol, next on stage was Tara Oram. Born in Gander, NFLD, Tara’s music is inspired by her family, and is a celebration of her small town roots. She is also influenced by many established artists, such as Rosanne Cash, Marty Stuart & Dwight Yoakam.
Tara’s first album, ‘Chasing The Sun’, earned her three top-15 Canadian Country singles, and racked up numerous awards including a 2009 JUNO nomination for Country Album of the Year, an ECMA win for Country Recording of the Year, and the coveted Rising Star Award at the 2009 CCMA’s! In addition, the Newfoundland Herald bestowed Tara with the title of ‘Entertainer of the Year’ in 2008. In 2010, Tara also had the privilege of performing at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
Her new hit, “1929” was a crowd favorite, getting the crowds swaying under a cool summer evening sky. Showing why she was an Idol favorite, she closed her set with Twist and Shout, Where The Streets Have No Name and Neil Young’s Rockin’ In The Free World.
A few more photos of Tara are here: https://www.labellephoto.com/?page_id=3258
Doc Walker was up next with crowd favorites “Get Up” and Beautiful Life”.
Over their decade-plus time together Doc Walker have earned the title of ‘the hardest working Country band in Canada’ the old fashioned way, through relentless perseverance – constantly honing their chops as a songwriting and a performing unit.
Hitting every little speck on the map again and again and putting over a million miles behind them in Canada alone, in an effort to forge a lasting relationship with their audience.
And to close things up, the much anticipated Kenny Chesney. Front Page Media was invited on stage just prior to Kenny kicking off his set to get a few shots of the of the estimated 15000 fans. An incredible site to be sure.
As he does in most every concert, Chesney gave it his all. With much help from the audience singing along to every song, “Live A Little”, “Reality” and “Summertime” set the tone for the evening.
A fantastic first night was had by all!
