It’s starting took a lot like summer, so that means the South Country Fair is coming up fast. In just over a month the bulk of Lethbridge‘s roots music scene hit the road for three days a good times, good vibes and great music for the 30th Annual South Country Fair, which takes place July 15-17 in the Fort MacLeod Fish and Games Park.
Organizers announced the line up at a special open mic at the Slice, May 27. Host John Wort Hannam and special guest Bob Blair on dobro opened the night by playing a few songs including a brand new one plus “ Chasing the Song” and the title track to Hannam’s latest CD “Love Lives On.” Blair played a few Townes Van Zandt songs on guitar and Weissenborn before Hannam laid down the rules for the open stage— two songs each for the extensive list of popular local songwriters, promising they could sign up again afterwards.
I could only catch the first few. It was enough to see the variety about to happen.
After Blair played his Townes van Zandt songs , Ryan Phillips played a two acoustic songs from his band the Silkstones. And Gabriel Thaine played a couple smoking themed up tempo originals including a brand new song. This year’s South Country Fair line-up will have a lot of variety and a lot of familiar faces.
A couple excellent blues /rock acts on the bill include Toronto bluesman Big Rude Jake, Blues rock trio Miss Quincy and Montreal’s Cecilé-Doo Kingue. And there is a lot of roots and country including Carter Felker, Boots and The Hoods, Scott Cook and the long Weekends and Tim Hus.
Jr. Gone Wild will add their blend of country and punk.
And there will be lots of local performers including The Shaela Miller band and Ryland Moranz.
Other major highlights will be female folk trio the Fates, QuiQue Escamilla plus Amelia Curran and South Country Fair Mayor Washboard Hank.
Other performers include Billie Zizi,Blackfoot Medicine Speaks, M Bumaranga, Circus Act Insomniacs, Myrtle Family Band, Nomadic massive, Robert Sarazin Blake, Ryan McNally and the Imprints and more. More information is available at www.southcountryfair.com. Tickets are $100/ 90 in advance, $130/120 at the Gate and 12 and under for free.
— By Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor
