2024 BANDS
LARRY MERCEY
In 1991 he was nominated for Country Male Vocalist awards at the Junos and the Country Music Awards. By 1994 he had landed a deal with Rodeo Records who picked up the tab on album number 2 – ‘Let’s Deal Again’.
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MARIE BOTTRELL
Marie has been rewarded with RPM’s Big Country nomination as Outstanding New Artist, as well as winning Female Vocalist Of The Year 1983 & 1984 at the CCMA Awards and in 2010 Inducted into the Country Music Hall Of Fame.
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U-TURN
For the past 20 years, U-Turn has entertained with their classic country sound, playing monthly dances at the Cambridge French Club, Legions, the Conestoga Trail Bluegrass Festival, & more. The band is anchored by father & son Leonard & Josh Fortier who share the lead singing duties. Depending on the venue & band configuration, you may see Leonard playing bass or acoustic guitar; with Josh on electric guitar, bass or drums. During the past 5 years, they have been joined by Mike Weber on pedal steel for most of their gigs, with other talented country musicians making regular guest appearances.
The Barrel Boys
A bluegrass powerhouse featuring rich vocal harmonies, killer picking, and a fun-loving, down-to-earth stage presence, The Barrel Boys are a unique staple of Canadian roots music. Informed by the deep traditions of bluegrass, country, old-time, and Americana, The Boys have crafted their own unmistakable sound into an exuberant and deeply soulful musical experience.
New Cumberland
Featuring inventive solo work, driving rhythms and three-part vocal harmonies, New Cumberland’s musical integrity and joy in playing together resonates in every performance. The resumes for the various individuals in New Cumberland include bluegrass stints with the Dixie Flyers, Rural Retreat and Cumberland Wail – as well as wide ranging experiences outside bluegrass in rock and folk music.
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The Highbanks Bluegrass Band
HighBanks is one of the most entertaining bluegrass bands you’ll find anywhere. The band draws from a wide variety of material including traditional bluegrass music, pop and show tunes, country, originals and more. Their outstanding instrumental talent and tight vocal harmonies bring new life to many of the standards that bluegrass fans are familiar with as well as creating innovative arrangements for originals and songs drawn from other genres. This is a group you don’t want to miss!
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Granite Hill
Granite Hill is based out of Southwestern Ontario and includes members with many years of experience in bluegrass and other musical genres. They entertain with a mixture of contemporary and traditional bluegrass material, including harmony vocals, dynamic instrumentals, and even a few numbers imported from country or folk.
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The Nelson Family Bluegrass
The Nelson Family Bluegrass is a family band from Southern Ontario, Canada.
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Rescue Junction
Rescue Junction is an award winning Canadian bluegrass band based in Ontario that has been travelling and singing together since 2009. Originally comprised of brother and sister, Kyle & Kaitlyn Gerber on mandolin and guitar respectively, the band has grown to include Roger Martin on banjo, Dallas Roth on upright bass and Nick Huber on dobro.
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2025 BANDS
Crystal Gage
Crystal Gage is a country music entertainer from Windsor, Ontario who travels all over North America with her own self- produced Stage show and truly unique performance style. With more than 25 years in the business she has perfected her craft and now performs more than 250 shows a year. Through country music covers and other favourite music styles, she puts on a high energy, audience participating show for all ages that is guaranteed to leave everyone wanting more without sacrificing her professional vocals. Crystal’s show is jammed packed with songs that will make you tap along, sing along, and even dance along “Country-Style”, and she wouldn’t have it any other way!!!
Fast Track
The members of Fast Track are not only all highly decorated in awards from the IBMA and SPBGMA organizations, but are also veteran players on the Grand Ole Opry stage, across the United States, Canada, and throughout Europe. Between all of the gentlemen, they have performed with, recorded on and participated in countless projects with bluegrass and country music royalty throughout their most impressive careers.
The Fast Track members are: Dale Perry (banjo, bass vocals), Steve Day (fiddle, vocals), Duane Sparks (guitar, vocals), Shayne Bartley (mandolin, vocals) and Randy Barnes (bass, vocals). The band has successfully released four full-length albums with Engelhardt Music Group out of Nashville, TN. It truly seems there is just no stopping once you jump on this FAST TRACK!
Wendell Ferguson
Wendell Ferguson is a multiple award winning guitarist and Juno nominated performer. His easy-going but hilarious stage patter also gets him many emcee gigs. He’s performed at most of the folk and country festivals in this country and has hosted many industry and
corporate functions as well as many television and awards shows with his unique combination of musicality and humour. He also plays guitar… a little. In 2014 he was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame.
Avery Drive
Established in 2019, in a small garage on Avery Dr. in Espanola Ontario. Their blend of hard-hitting, upbeat bluegrass and rich vocal harmonies lends itself to progressive, contemporary, and traditional stylings. On stage their mix of modern, traditional, and original songs promises to be an energetic good time.
Stoney Lonesome
Stoney Lonesome is a bluegrass band based in and around Orangeville Ontario. Formed
in 2021, they are made up of veteran bluegrass musicians as well as players new to the
bluegrass stage. Their material is a mix of traditional, new acoustic, and original songs
and instrumentals, all laying solidly in the bluegrass genre. Vocal harmony is a key
ingredient in the group and sets the groove and feel for a unique sound that soulful,
honest, and fun.
Granite Hill
Granite Hill is based out of Southwestern Ontario and includes members with many years of experience in bluegrass and other musical genres. They entertain with a mixture of contemporary and traditional bluegrass material, including harmony vocals, dynamic instrumentals, and even a few numbers imported from country or folk.
Richard Dugal and The Fabulous Bluegrass Quartet
Usually, a Trio playing restaurant bars, Royal Canadian Legions and Craft breweries. Featuring Richard Dugal guitar, vocals, Larry Johnston banjo and Rich Koop upright bass and vocals. Richard Dugal’s Bluegrass Quartet: we’ve added Norm Tellier on mandolin and vocals – for your Bluegrass Festival entertainment!
2026 BANDS
Authentic Unlimited
Authentic Unlimited from East Tennessee is a dynamic bluegrass band that blends rich harmonies with skillful instrumentation to create a sound that is both timeless and innovative. Comprised of seasoned musicians, including former members of the legendary Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, the band brings a deep-rooted passion for traditional bluegrass, infused with fresh energy.
BAND WEBSITE
The Edgar Loudermilk Band
This Georgia-based band is led by Edgar Loudermilk, a two-time, back to back winner of SPBGMA’s “Bass Fiddle Performer of the Year” and also a Josie Music Awards 2024 Bass Player of the Year. Edgar Loudermilk’s signature voice, award-winning bass skills, and songwriting have become his trademark. Edgar and the band, individually and collectively, have garnered over 50 industry awards and nominations. The music styling of the Edgar Loudermilk Band encompasses bluegrass, gospel, country, and Americana genres. The Edgar Loudermilk Band tours coast-to-coast and throughout Canada.
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Naomi Bristow
Naomi is a young cowgirl from a small farm in Ontario whose rodeo roots led her to discover a passion for country, western, and gospel music. Over the past 18 years, she has traveled throughout Canada and the United States, performing for thousands and earning the admiration of audiences of all ages. Her deep love for traditional country music inspired her to teach herself the art of yodeling, which has since become a signature part of her performances and a fan favorite everywhere she goes. Throughout her career, she has recorded 11 CDs, featuring her unique blend of traditional country, gospel, and yodeling.
Joining Naomi is Scott Woods on fiddle, Rick Louks on vocal and bass, Doug Johnson on steel, Fred Lewis on Guitar and Charlie Agro on Drums.
WEBSITE
Granite Hill
Granite Hill is based out of Southwestern Ontario and includes members with many years of experience in bluegrass and other musical genres. They entertain with a mixture of contemporary and traditional bluegrass material, including harmony vocals, dynamic instrumentals, and even a few numbers imported from country or folk.
BAND WEBSITE
The Highbanks Bluegrass Band
HighBanks is one of the most entertaining bluegrass bands you’ll find anywhere. The band draws from a wide variety of material including traditional bluegrass music, pop and show tunes, country, originals and more. Their outstanding instrumental talent and tight vocal harmonies bring new life to many of the standards that bluegrass fans are familiar with as well as creating innovative arrangements for originals and songs drawn from other genres. This is a group you don’t want to miss!
BAND WEBSITE
Duke Street Turnaround
Six piece bluegrass and Canadiana band from Toronto, Ontario showcases tight vocal harmonies and killer acoustic playing. The show consists of a mixture of traditional bluegrass, Canadian folk classics, fiddle instrumentals and original material. Our shows get toes tapping and heads bobbing!
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The Blackwell Bluegrass Band
The Blackwell Bluegrass Band was established in 1984. Over the years the band has
been performing bluegrass music in Canada and the USA drawing from a blend of
traditional and contemporary music. The combination of outstanding vocal harmonies
along with accomplished instrumentation creates the melodious sound that the band
has become known for. Currently the band is working with Jacques Brousseau, Robin Thompson, Brian Abbey and David Jack.
Sourwood
Sourwood is a progressive bluegrass band with a heart firmly rooted in traditional music. Led by Waterloo-based songwriter Lucas Last, the group bridges the gap between the technical drive of modern bluegrass and the narrative focus of late-90s indie folk. Drawing on influences like Molly Tuttle and Jason Isbell, Last is the centerpiece of the sound, delivering confessional lyrics supported by collaborative, intricate arrangements. The music respects its Bluegrass and Celtic origins while incorporating the diverse backgrounds of a collective that spans Ontario, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
