Oh Canada: The Best of 2014 in Country Music
Chuck Schultz
Posted On December 11, 2014
When you live in Nashville and cover country music, there are times you are blinded by thinking that the only country artists come from the United States. Well, I’m here to tell you friends and neighbours, that our neighbour and friend to the North, Canada, produces some of the best in country music period.
Here are some acts that impressed me with new releases. They are generally just amazing people and artists, and are willing to give their time whenever the need arises.
High Valley – County Line
Brad and Curtis Rempel come out swinging with a solid set of songs on the album County Line. Brad, who helms the band as a top notch songwriter, brings honesty, grit, and a true warmth to his songs. The duo hit high marks with the title track, “Why God Made a River,” and “Make You Mine,” where icon Ricky Skaggs lends a hand and takes the song to the next level. High Valley just completed their first headlining tour in Canada. Look for them on multiple dates all across North America in 2015.
Corb Lund – Counterfeit Blues
Recorded at Sun Studios in Memphis, this collection of rockabilly and gritty country shows all the colours and layers that make up Corb Lund’s music. Armed with just a couple guitars, some mics, a pedal steel guitar, stand-up bass, drums, and the amps they plugged into, the foursome eschewed studio trickery for the lightning-in-a-bottle approach. They blasted through 12 songs with a confidence and swagger that can only come from years of playing together. The end result serves as both an exciting introduction to the acclaimed band’s early material and as fun must-have reinterpretation of the classics for the fans. Great album from a pretty badass man.
Road Hammers – Wheels
“I’ve Been Everywhere” drives all the wheels on this record, sets the tone for a solid album. Road Hammers — an amazing live band — really brings that raw energy and vibe to this solid record. Winning a Canadian Country Music Association Award for Album of the Year doesn’t hurt. If you want to be bumping along to some solid roaddog songs, this is your jam.
Tim Hicks – 5:01
This album blew into town in August with “Here Comes the Thunder,” and to me was my Country Album of the Year. Front to back, Mssr. Hicks can be heartfelt with “She Don’t Drink Whiskey,” and some fun on “A Little Drink Along Song.” Hicks would be King in Nashville, if Music Row would just get out of its own way.
Do yourselves a favour and check out these records. Also check out Dean Brody, Doc Walker, Gord Branford and Brett Kissel. It’ll do your body good.
Photo Credit, Kelly E Schultz /k3schultz.com
