Concerts

Jack Johnson

2008-08-09T00:00:00Z

It was during his college years as a film student at University of California at Santa Barbara when Johnson began writing songs. He and old mates Chris Malloy and Emmett Malloy produced a surf cinema documentary entitled Thicker Than Water, in turn spotlighting Johnson as a talented cinematographer as well as a burgeoning singer/songwriter. His peers in and around the surf circuit praised his work, and Thicker Than Water received props in Surfer magazine for Video of the Year during 2000. The follow-up surf flick The September Sessions also earned the Adobe Highlight Award at the ESPN Film Festival that same year.

Still, Johnson steered away from a blossoming pro sports career and stuck with music—something that would soon earn him additional honors. G. Love & Special Sauce quickly took notice to Johnson’s lazy blues stylings, which also molded folk and hip-hop for a modern rock twist, and included Johnson on “Rodeo Clowns” from G. Love’s 1999 release Philadelphonic. Johnson’s four-track demo also caught the ears of Ben Harper’s right-hand man, J.P. Plunier. This was surely mind-blowing for Johnson, for Harper’s college rock mainstay Fight for Your Mind was one of his favorites and remained an inspiration. Aside from Plunier’s production work, Harper also added his lap steel guitar work on Johnson’s sultry debut, Brushfire Fairytales (Enjoy Records), in winter 2001.

Two co-headlining tours followed throughout spring and summer 2002; Johnson’s sophomore effort, On and On, appeared in May 2003. Stateside dates with Harper followed in June and July. A third album, In Between Dreams arrived in March 2005, narrowly missing the top of the Billboard album chart in the process. Johnson earned two Brit Awards for In Between Dreams: International Male Solo Artist and International Breakthrough Act. In February, Johnson issued the soundtrack Curious George. Nielsen SoundScan sales topped at 163,000 copies in its first week of release, earning Johnson his first-ever number one album on Billboard’s Top 200 and Rock Albums charts. His sixth album, Sleep Through the Static, was released in February 2008.

Before Jack Johnson perfected his rock star ways, he was a champion surfer on the professional route, with a sponsorship with Quiksilver. It was a life that was second nature for the Hawaiian native, for he began chasing waves as a toddler, and by the time he was 17, he was an outstanding athlete on the pipeline. However, Johnson was also testing his other creative outlets -- one being film and the other being music.

Natalie MacMasteer

2008-08-02T14:00:00Z

Well-known to international audiences as one o fthe major talents of our own Canada, Natalie has been an ambassador for traditional East Coast music, and is credited with lifting the style to its present prominence. While acclaimed for taking Celtic music to new heights, each album Natalie releases displays a creativity and range that constantly expands the boundaries of her chosen specialty.
At age nine, Natalie first picked up the fiddle and has been playing ever since with great joy. She is the niece of famed Cape Breton fiddler Buddy Mac Master. She won numerous awards for her early traditional recordings, Her newest releases have been boldly ground-breaking and welcomed by her fans.
Natalie has a Bachelor of Education degree from the Nova Scotia Teachers College, and has received honorary doctorates from St. Thomas University and Niagara University.She was one of the youngest ever named a member of the Order of Canada. So come and enjoy an evening with Natalie MacMaster.

With a talent that mixes raw and wondrously refined, backed by a band any top musician would be proud of, Natalie Mac Master continues to stun crowds around the globe with her feverish fiddling and mesmerizing step dancing.

FEIST

2008-08-05T23:30:00Z

She has toured Europe, entertaining her fans with her award winning songs. She is noted for her wide range of music, Pop rock, anti-folk, indie folk, and baroque pop . She sings, plays the guitar, piano and banjo. This show is being held outdoors in the beautiful Deer Lake Park amphitheatre. A great place to spend the day and enjoy the concert too.

Leslie Feist, known to her fans as "Feist" is a Juno award winning and Grammy nominated Canadian singer and songwriter. She performs as a solo artist and is a member of the indie rock supergroup Broken Social Scene. In 2008 in Calgary, she was the top winner of five awards, songwriter, artist, pop album, and single of the year.

Donna Summer

2008-08-09T02:00:00Z

Donna started out as a gospel singer. Her notable songwriting capabilities, were able to set her apart from others in the industry.
Though she is known for her disco hits, Donna’s performances have expanded to include contemporary R&B, rock, pop, and gospel. Summer is one of the most renown female recording stars of the 70s and 80s, and holds the record for having three consecutive double albums hit #1 on the billboard charts. She also had four number-one singles in a twelve month period. Summer has sold over 130 million records worldwide. So come on out and join us for a wonderful evening with Donna Summer.

Donna Summer is recognized with the disco era of music.She is a singer-songwriter and musician. She has expanded from disco to include rock, pop, and even gospel.

Trooper

2008-08-17T01:30:00Z

Trooper is a Juno Award winning Canadian rock band that developed from a group formed by vocalist Ramon McGuire and guitarist Brian Smith in 1965. As the principal songwriters for the group, McGuire and Smith have performed as Trooper—originally called Winters Green and later Applejack—from inception to the present day. Band members include Ra McGuire (Vocals); Brian Smith (Guitar); Paul Gogo (Keyboards); Scott Brown (Bass); and Clayton Hill (Drums).

This concert is the first in the summer night concert series sponsored by Global Television and The Vancouver Sun. Trooper has sold two million records, had a couple of dozen hits, sold out coliseums all across Canada, and has received a Juno Award for Band of the Year. The Vancouver Sun called this band "... the best performing band in Canada." More than one out of every 40 Canadians own a copy of Trooper's album "Hot Shots." The band has performed thousands of shows in almost every city in Canada and has toured from coast to coast in their home country. In America, the band has backed up such bands as Aerosmith, AC/DC, Steppenwolf, Alice Cooper, ZZ Top, Fleetwood Mac, Jeff Beck, REO, Styx, and others. Trooper often find fans from three different generations in their audience, proving that the band remains ageless.

Billy Ray Cyrus

2008-08-18T01:30:00Z

Billy Ray Cyrus is a Grammy Award-nominated American country singer-songwriter and actor, best known for his hit single “Achy Breaky Heart.” A multi-platinum selling recording artist, he has eight top-ten singles on the Billboard country music charts. From 2001 to 2004, he starred in the television series Doc. As of 2006, Cyrus is co-starring in the Disney Channel original television series, Hannah Montana, which stars his daughter Miley Cyrus. In Cyrus’ career, he has released 28 charting singles, 13 of which reached the top 40 and one reached the top of Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

This concert is the second in the summer night concert series sponsored by Global Television and The Vancouver Sun. Most of us know Billy Ray Cyrus for his international hit "Achy Breaky Heart." His latest release, Southern Rain, has influences from country to folk to retro rock to R&B to rockabilly to pop. Recently Cyrus has taken his career in a new direction by starring in the PAX-TV movie, "Doc." In Doc, Cyrus plays a Montana doctor who moves to New York City. He also appeared in the movie "Mulholland Drive" and stars in the action film, "Radical Jack."

The Bacon Brothers

2008-08-19T01:30:01Z

Perhaps no other band has gotten more mileage out of the element of surprise than the Bacon Brothers. At each tour stop, the Bacon Brothers encounter cynical or curious listeners expecting no more than a vanity project. What they encounter instead is a group of guys who can actually play. “We’ve been chipping away at that awareness, chipping away at the fact that most people think we’re gonna suck,” Kevin Bacon says, reflecting on he and his brother Michael’s first 11 years as a band. What most don’t realize is that guitarist/vocalist Kevin and his older brother Michael (guitar, vocals, cello) are lifelong musicians, which is of course part of the reason why they’ve become so good at turning heads and tweaking ears, harvesting an ever-growing fanbase along the way. Long before Kevin became a household name with such hit films as Footloose and A Few Good Men, he was writing songs on his own, and playing percussion in Philadelphia coffeehouses with his brother and other groups. Meanwhile, Michael, nine years Kevin’s senior, had already established himself as a professional musician.

This is the 3rd evening concert of 17 in the summer night concert series at the PNE Amphitheatre. The Bacon Brothers features Michael and Kevin Bacon. Michael Bacon does vocals, guitar, and cello and Kevin Bacon does vocals, guitar, harmonica, and percussion. Kevin and Michael Bacon have been writing songs and playing music together since they were boys. Their hallmark style has been writing songs that echo the lives of others. It's an art they've refined over three albums and in the 50 shows they play each year. The Bacon Brothers Live includes a performance of "Footloose." In eight years of recording and touring, the band has become a top live draw and continues to build momentum. "When we first started, the people who attended our shows came strictly to see Kevin Bacon, the movie star," says Michael. "Now people come to see and hear The Bacon Brothers." The Bacon Brothers are backed by Paul Guzzone on bass/vocals, Marshal Rosenberg on percussion, Frank Vilardi on drums, and Ira Siegel on electric guitar.

George Canyon

2008-08-20T01:30:00Z

“I guess I officially started in the music business when I went on tour with a country rock band 14 years ago,” Canyon has said. “We played every little place in Canada you could imagine. Sometimes, we’d have to each pay $50 at the end of a six-night run just to meet our bills. But over time we did well and that’s where I cut my teeth, which was an important part of my growth as an artist.” Canyon grew up in Pictou County, Nova Scotia, surrounded by folk, Celtic, country and rock music. “It was just kind of what we did,” Canyon has said. “Everyone would sit around after church or whatever you were doing and play and talk.”
He heard about the first round of Nashville Star second season auditions, but didn’t consider going at first. “At some point my wife said, “You really need to do this,” Canyon said. “I figured I’d just go see some friends in Calgary and at least try to make the first cut.” Several months later, Canyon was standing on the stage with fellow Nashville Star finalist Brad Cotter, waiting for the judges to announce the winner on live television. Canyon whispered to Cotter, “I think you’re going to win.” Cotter smiled back at Canyon. “I don’t think it matters now. We both won.” Indeed, nothing about Canyon’s life right now is as it was before this opportunity. His independently recorded single, “Good Day To Ride” reached #12 and stayed in the Top 50 for more than 20 weeks on Canadian Country Radio. The song won him a Canadian Radio Music Award in March 2005, when he was honoured as Best New Group or Solo Artist (Country) at the awards show during Canadian Music Week.
Canyon, who says he has learned to mostly set small goals in his life, nonetheless shyly admits to having big hopes for his new album.

Part of the summer night concert series sponsored by Global Television and The Vancouver Sun. With his own unique blend of folk, roots and country, Canyon has earned top-notch reviews and a dedicated fan base. This tall, modest 35-year-old Canadian cowboy singer placed second in the USA Network's Nashville Star talent search in May 2004, instantly making him a household name to millions of country fans. Since then Canyon has been making a splash on the country music scene with a number of awards, releases and chart toppers. In October 2007 Canyon released his third album, Classics, through Universal Music Canada. The first single from the album, a cover of Johnny Cash's classic song, "Ring of Fire," is already climbing the charts at country radio. Having been thrust into the spotlight by the USA Network/CMT Canada television show Nashville Star, Canyon's "One Good Friend" shot to No. 1 on the Canadian Country Soundscan charts its first week out. He followed that song up with 5 top singles. In 2005, Canyon won the Juno for Country Recording of the Year for his "One Good Friend," which started off an amazing run of awards for this artist. He went on to win a second Juno in 2007, is a three-time, fan's choice for Entertainer of the Year at the East Coast Music Awards and the 2005 Canadian Country Music Awards winner of the Cheez Whiz Fan's Choice Award. He has won an additional 5 CCMA and 6 ECMAs since. George Canyon is always happy when he's kicking up his heels on the road and the radio, performing for his fans.

Sheena Easton

2008-08-21T01:30:00Z

Sheena Easton is a Scottish pop singer and theatre and television actress. She became famous for being the focus of an episode of the United Kingdom television programme The Big Time, a 1980 reality TV series which recorded her attempts to gain a record contract and got her a deal with EMI. Easton is the only United Kingdom female artist to have two singles—“9 to 5” and “Modern Girl”—in the UK top 10 at the same time since 1959. Easton has sold over 4 million albums in the US, and 20 million records worldwide with 16 albums in her whole career and has 14 Top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. Sheena Easton is the only artist in the history of the US Billboard charts to have a top 3 hit on each of the Billboards key charts: adult contemporary, dance, pop, country, and R&B.

Part of the summer night concert series sponsored by Global Television and The Vancouver Sun. Sheena Easton's career has spanned the last 25 years. Her early musical influences were Motown, Barbra Streisand, rock and 70's soul. Her recording career has included Gold and Platinum albums in the United States, Europe and Asia. She has received two Grammys, and was the first artist to have top five records on five Billboard's charts. In addition to her recording success, Sheena is a top concert attraction around the world, having performed in the U.S., United Kingdom, Canada, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore and Taipei, her last album in Japan "My Cherie" was a number one hit. On Broadway, Sheena starred as Aldonza/Dulcinea in "Man of La Mancha," as well as in the Broadway hit musical "Grease," in the role of Rizzo. Sheena's acting credits include a five-episode appearance on Miami Vice, among others. During 2004 Sheena and Brian McKnight hosted a talk show originating in Las Vegas, which she especially enjoyed. Sheena has been busy with frequent appearances in Las Vegas where she has been a major attraction for the last decade, and was recently inducted into the Las Vegas Hall Of Fame.

Tower of Power

2008-08-22T01:30:00Z

Tower of Power has remained active through the years, and still tours extensively and worldwide today. Naturally, there have been personnel changes, and at least 60 musicians have been touring and/or recording members of the group through its now nearly 40 year tenure as a funk and soul band. Tower of Power has released 18 albums over the years and in addition to their horn section, they have become well known as a back up unit for other artists. Their horn section has appeared on many other recordings including Santana, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Jefferson Starship, Huey Lewis and the News, and Aerosmith, to name a few. Tower’s early song, “So Very Hard To Go” was featured in the soundtrack of the 2002 film City of God. The Tower of Power horns’ most notable touring was as part of the pop group “Huey Lewis and The News”, during the mid-80’s. Most recently, Tower of Power has been featured on Josh Groban’s Awake album, during an instrumental break in “Machine.”

With almost 40 years of recording and touring experience, Tower of Power has been making albums and touring steadily since the 1970’s, in addition to backing up countless other musicians. This funky soul group was formed in 1967 in Oakland, California, and was originally known as Motown’s Soul Band. The group’s leader since the beginning has always been tenor saxophonist Emilio Castillo. Castillo put together a group called the Motowns and the group specialized in 60s era soul. Eventually the group teamed up with baritone sax player Stephen “Doc” Kupka. The Motowns changed into Tower of Power. In June of 2004, The California Music Association inducted Tower of Power with a Lifetime Achievement Award and cited their 2003 Sony Legacy anthology Havin’ Fun as the Soul/R&B album of the Year. Recently, Tower of Power has added new members and a fresh outlook, but the band has always remained true to its soul music roots, never failing to please audiences.

Part of the summer night concert series sponsored by Global Television and The Vancouver Sun, each concert lasts approximately 90 minutes and begins at 7:30 p.m. Tonight's concert is the Tower of Power, a 10 member horn-based soul band. Their website states that no matter who you are, where you live, or your taste in music, Tower of Power will find you, inspire you and move you. The truest testament to Tower of Power remains the band's formidable concert appearances. Stand in front of the stage at their show and bathe in the sonic blast of brass and funk. "Tighter than a clenched fist," says The Hollywood Reporter, and The Fresno Bee has said "the band members let loose with an energy-filled show that [leaves] a sell-out crowd on its feet, dancing in the aisles and applauding with feeling for a band it's loved for more than 30 years."

Sass Jordan

2008-08-23T01:30:00Z

Sass Jordan became one of the first veejays in Canada as host and interviewer on a Montreal video show, the predecessor to MusiquePlus. Her first album, “Tell Somebody,” was released in 1988 and brought with it a Juno Award in Canada, and her first platinum CD. “Racine,” her next CD, brought her the title of Album Rock’s Top Female Artist for 1992 from Billboard magazine and praise from Creem magazine: “...she sings ... rock with a bluesy twinge that’d make Janis Joplin or Maggie Bell proud.” She also did a duet with Joe Cocker on The Bodyguard, and an had an acting role on the hit TV series Sisters.

By the mid 1990s, Sass Jordan met her future husband, musician/songwriter Derek Sharp. She moved from Los Angeles to a farmhouse in Ontario and, in November of 1997, she gave birth to her daughter Stella. She subsequently recorded two more CDs: “Present” and “Hot Gossip.” As an actress, she was featured in the Toronto and Winnipeg productions of The Vagina Monologues before heading to New York to take on the lead role of Janis Joplin in the off-Broadway musical hit, Love Janis. In 2003 she took on duties as a judge on the TV show Canadian Idol. Jordan shared the stage with The Rolling Stones, AC/DC and others as part of the history-making SARS relief concert in Toronto.

Part of the summer night concert series sponsored by Global Television and The Vancouver Sun, each concert lasts approximately 90 minutes and begins at 7:30 p.m. Festival style seating is available on a first come, first served basis on a grass area directly in front of the stage; on bleachers facing the stage; and in the Central Park Bar-B-Q and Beer Garden. Tonight's concert is Sass Jordan. Sass Jordan was born in England, and raised in Montreal, Canada, and is a multi-platinum selling, multi-award winning artist who has toured and recorded with some of music's most legendary names. In 2003, Jordan took on duties as a judge on the TV ratings blockbuster, Canadian Idol, as well as continuing to write, record and tour. Her latest musical offering, "Get What You Give," was recorded in both Nashville and Toronto. She is currently at work on the 6th season of Canadian Idol, as well as writing and producing her 7th studio recording.

Glass Tiger

2008-08-24T01:30:00Z

Festival style seating is available on a first come, first served basis on a grass area directly in front of the stage; on bleachers facing the stage; and in the Central Park Bar-B-Q and Beer Garden.

It’s been almost twenty years since Glass Tiger first topped the charts, and they are still masters of creating the great song. With the recent release of their 20th Anniversary DVD “No Turning Back Glass Tiger 1985-2005,” the band shows not only why they are indelibly etched into the annals of Canadian music history but also how their writing style still remains vibrant and meaningful for today’s music scene. Glass Tiger is full of the same energy and talent that bought them their place in music history, and their show is one that is not to be missed.

Part of the summer night concert series sponsored by Global Television and The Vancouver Sun, each concert lasts approximately 90 minutes and begins at 7:30 p.m. Tonight's concert is Glass Tiger. Glass Tiger is a Canadian rock band formed in 1983 in Ontario. The band, originally named "Tokyo," produced several hit singles in Canada and put two songs on Billboard magazine's top 10: "Don't Forget Me" and "Someday," both of which came from their debut album, "The Thin Red Line." Glass Tiger won five Juno Awards in 1986 and 1987. They were also nominated for a Grammy Award in 1987. After their third album "Simple Mission" and a brief Canadian tour in early 1993, the band went on a lengthy hiatus. Lead singer Alan Frew released two solo albums before the band reformed and began touring again around 2003. In 2005 the band released a new DVD collection "No Turning Back." In June 2005, they appeared on the NBC television show Hit Me Baby One More Time, performing their classic hit "Don't Forget Me" and covering "Everything You Want." Although they lost the audience voting, Glass Tiger was judged the winner by online voters. In a mid-2006 interview on Entertainment Tonight Canada, Glass Tiger hinted they were back in the studio to record new material. Meanwhile, the band continues to tour throughout Canada. A new DVD titled "Glass Tiger Live in Concert" featuring the band in concert from the 1980s was also released in 2006.

Vanessa Hudgens

2008-08-25T01:30:00Z

Vanessa Anne Hudgens was born in Salinas, California in 1988. She has been performing since the age 8 in various musical theater and local productions. Her first professional job was as a munchkin in a local production of The Wizard of OZ. Hudgens also appeared in local productions of, to name a few, Evita, The King and I, Cinderella and Damn Yankees. Hudgens made television appearances in such shows as Quintuplets, Still Standing, and Cover Me. She also appeared in the Drake & Josh television series as Drake’s girlfriend. Teenage audiences mostly know her from her role in the hit TV movie High School Musical, a Disney Channel original. In that movie, she played the shy, intelligent Gabriella Montez, along with Zac Efron, Ashley Tisdale, and Corbin Bleu. Later, she appeared in various TV shows including The Suite Life of Zack and Cody. She also became a new spokes model for Neutrogena facial care.

Vanessa Hudgens’ debut album, “V,” includes the hit singles Come Back To Me and Say OK. Also, her song Let’s Dance was featured on Dancing With The Stars’ new season. Hudgens has been busy preparing her second album, which is reported to be packed with R&B, pop and jazz, and is announced to be released this summer.

At the amphitheatre, festival style seating is available on a first come, first served basis on the grass area directly in front of the stage; on bleachers facing the stage; and in the Central Park Bar-B-Q and Beer Garden.

Part of the summer night concert series sponsored by Global Television and The Vancouver Sun, each concert lasts approximately 90 minutes and begins at 7:30 p.m. Tonight's concert is Vanessa Hudgens. Vanessa Hudgens has had great success as one of the stars of Disney's High School Musical. Not only did Hudgens star in the movie, which inspired loyal fan following, but she also released her solo album "V" (standing for Vanessa and variety) in September 2007. Originally wanting to make a dance album, Hudgens opted for a mix of pop, rock, electronic and R&B. Having started out in musical theatre, Hudgens is trained in dance, piano and voice, and has performed on Good Morning America and Live With Regis and Kelly. She also premiered her "Come Back to Me" music video on TRL. You won't want to miss Vanessa Hudgens live in concert.

Aaron Pritchett

2008-08-26T01:30:00Z

Aaron Pritchett was born August 2, 1971 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and is a Canadian country singer.

At the PNE amphitheatre, festival style seating is available on a first come, first served basis on the grass area directly in front of the stage; on bleachers facing the stage; and in the Central Park Bar-B-Q and Beer Garden.

Part of the summer night concert series sponsored by Global Television and The Vancouver Sun, each concert lasts approximately 90 minutes and begins at 7:30 p.m. Tonight's concert is Aaron Pritchett. Aaron Pritchett is a veteran of the British Columbia music scene. When he opened for Brooks and Dunn, Pritchett brought hometown fans to their feet. His singles, "Consider This" and "You Can't Say I Didn't Love You," among others, have topped the music charts and received rave reviews on CMT. Pritchett has that crossover appeal, which was evident when thousands of university students chanted the lyrics to his songs and even crowd-surfed; perhaps a first during a "country" performance. With more tour dates coming up, and new albums being released, Pritchett promises to be one of Canada's premier entertainers.

Air Supply

2008-08-27T01:30:00Z

AIR SUPPLY - With their profoundly orchestrated, charming ballads, the Australian soft rock group Air Supply became a common early 1980s radio smash group, with a string of seven straight Top Five singles. Air Supply was (mostly) the duo of vocalists Russell Hitchcock and Graham Russell. Other members came and went through the years, functioning mainly as back up musicians. The group’s sound, however, was always that of Hitchock and Russell. Hitchcock and Russell met while performing in a Sydney, Australia, production of Jesus Christ Superstar in 1976. The two singers formed a partnership and that is how the group Air Supply was born.

Part of the summer night concert series sponsored by Global Television and The Vancouver Sun, each concert lasts approximately 90 minutes and begins at 7:30 p.m. Tonight's concert is Air Supply. Air Supply is a soft rock twosome who had a string of hits through the 1970s and early 1980s. The group consists of British guitarist and singer Graham Russell and Australian lead singer Russell Hitchcock. Russell and Hitchcock first met in 1975 on their first day of rehearsals for "Jesus Christ Superstar." Clive Davis signed Air Supply to Arista Records and in 1980, their song "Lost in Love" became the fastest selling single in the world, leaping to the top of the all the charts. Their second song, "All Out of Love" went up the charts even faster then the first. Seven top five singles later, they had equaled The Beatles' run of consecutive top five singles. Their albums Lost in Love, The One That You Love, Now & Forever and The Greatest Hits, sold over 20 million copies. Hitchcock's tenor voice and Russell's simple, majestic songs create a unique sound that will always be known as Air Supply.