Dust off your cowboy hat, it’s going to be a rockin’ night of country music in Wasaga Beach on Friday night, ranging from some hometown talent to one of Canada’s favourite multi-platinum artists, Tim Hicks.
“What we love about Tim Hicks, he’s timeless, he’s a massive star but he’s one of us, a good guy from Ontario,” said Pure Country 106 morning show host and fellow country music artist Jason McCoy.
The sounds of country-rock will fill the newly built Wasaga Stars Arena, the show hosted by Wasaga Beach Sports and Entertainment and presented by Stonebridge, Wasaga Distribution and Pure Country 106.
Simcoe County is the first stop for the Juno award-nominated artist.
“We’re looking forward to kicking off our touring year in Wasaga Beach. ”You’re going to hear from new stuff and all the old hits. It’s going to be a fun one,” said Hicks, who is originally from Niagara Falls and will make a stop in his hometown later this year.
Renowned for his energetic party anthems, including Loud, Stronger Beer, Get By, and What a Song Should Do, Hicks will light up the stage in what is promised to be an unforgettable evening of live music, featuring his newest single, ‘Quits.’
“We’re at rehearsal right now, running through it (Quits), I can’t wait to do this one live, it’s going to be great," Hicks said.
For those that aren’t familiar with the now star, it’s been a long time coming.
“I was a working musician for 18 years before I ever had a song on the radio and what that means is I played five nights a week all over southern Ontario” he said. “In my younger days I would say bring a helmet because it gets pretty rowdy, but I think we’ve outgrown that.”
The doors open at 6 p.m. on Friday, with local talent Dayna Reid kicking things off.
“Her and her family live close to Wasaga – in Springwater - and she’s a remarkable young talent and we’re excited she’s going to be here to open for Tim Hicks,” said Wasaga Beach Mayor Brian Smith.
“It’s going to be an exciting time and it’s a great venue,” Smith added. “We had Burton Cummings and Blue Rodeo there last year, the sound quality was great, the atmosphere was great, and it’s Wasaga Beach, so it’s just a great place to have fun.”
The evening’s festivities will continue with the sounds of the Rivertown Saints, a foursome who originally met at church in the Ottawa Valley and now bring rich vocal harmonies to an extensive catalogue of hits that have been streamed millions of times.
Finally, Tim Hicks and his longtime band will take the stage at 8:30 p.m. and promise to take the time to connect with the audience.
“I might even do an acoustic tune. I try not to over plan. One of the things I’ve learned when I played bars for so long, you kind of have to feel the room out. So, if I get the vibe it might be a nice night to get the lighters in the air and do a tune on my own. I might send the band away so I can soak it up a little bit.”
And if you want to keep the party going, the fun doesn’t stop there.
Six-time Juno award-winning group Sam Roberts Band will be performing at Wasaga Stars Arena on Saturday night.
Tickets for both shows are on sale now through Ticketmaster and on Wasaga Beach’s website.
