Performers

Jann Arden

Born in Calgary, Jann Arden cut her first single when she was 17, but success didn't come overnight. After several years of busking and playing in clubs, Arden signed with a major record label and recorded her first album, Time for Mercy, in 1993. Since then, Arden has become one of Canada's most-celebrated female performers, with awards and hit singles too numerous to mention.

Paul Brandt

A homegrown Alberta boy, Paul Brandt originally hails from Calgary, Alberta. He signed his first record deal at 23 and since then has seen phenomenal success, winning 12 CCMAs, six Junos, and selling over one million albums. Touring has taken him across Canada and the United States, and as far away as Bosnia, South Korea, and Africa. His musical influences are diverse, including Dwight Yoakam, U2, Harry Connick Jr., and Allison Krauss.

Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra

Corb Lund

Photo by Fish Griwkowsky

The Corb Lund Band got its start 10 years ago, signing with Edmonton's own Green Pepper Records, and since has progressed into a blazing roots-country band fresh off two fantastic years of promoting and touring in support of their highly acclaimed CD, Five Dollar Bill. Produced by Nashville's Harry Stinson (Dead Reckoners, Steve Earle, Lyle Lovett, Earl Scruggs), Five Dollar Bill appeared on the Best of 2002 lists in Americana UK, Toronto's Exclaim! magazine, Eye magazine and The Globe and Mail, and reached the top 30 of both the Americana Airplay Chart and the Roots Music Roots-Country Chart. The band has won two CCMAs, as well as a Western Canadian Music Award (2003) for Outstanding Independent Album.

The Emeralds

Who knew that the internationally renowned Bird Dance was created by Edmonton's own The Emeralds in 1982? Although they'll likely always be known as the one-hit wonder that inspired flapping and twisting in countless community halls, they've also recorded 28 albums and received six gold and two platinum awards and one double-platinum award for record sales and performed in Australia, Hong Kong, London, New Zealand, Trinidad and all over North America. Recently, their songs have been contracted to Paramount Pictures and featured on Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius and Crime Wave.

Adam Gregory

Adam Gregory released his debut CD The Way I’m Made when he was just 14, establishing himself as an emerging star in country music. The album earned him the Prairie Music Award for Outstanding Country Music Recording in 2001. He also won the Canadian Radio Music Award for Best New Country Artist for the first single from the album and was nominated for two Juno Awards and four Canadian Country Music Awards.

Danny Hooper

Danny Hooper is a multi-dimensional performer and recording artist with almost 30 years in the entertainment business. He also acts as master of ceremonies, fundraising auctioneer, business and motivational speaker.

Tom Jackson

Tom Jackson is a singer, songwriter and actor. He has recorded 12 albums, two of which have received Juno nominations. He is also an award-winning actor, appearing most notably on the CBC series North of 60 for six seasons.  He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2000 for his music and humanitarian work.   

Rebecca Jenkins

Rebecca Jenkins is an Alberta-born actor and singer. She toured with Canadian singer Jane Siberry and the group Parachute Club in the 1980s and began her film career as a stuntwoman. Her first acting role was in the 1988 CBC-TV movie Family Reunion and she has since carved out a successful movie and television acting career in both Canada and the U.S. 

k.d. lang

From kicked-up country tunes, to soulful ballads and Canadian standards, k.d. lang’s strong vocals have mastered many musical styles and entertained millions. A native of Consort, Alberta, k.d. lang has been entertaining fans for more than two decades. She has been awarded multiple Grammy Awards and recorded more than 13 albums. Her most recent release, Hymns of the 49th Parallel, explores the works of favourite Canadian song writers.   

Maren Ord

Edmonton native Maren Ord-the eighth of 10 children-has in the last several years become one of her hometown's best-loved performers. She released Waiting in November 2000 to great success and followed up with her sophomore album Not Today in September 2004 to critical acclaim. Her songs have appeared on shows like Felicity and That's Life. Maren has come a long way since performing with her family as the Ord Family Singers in and around Edmonton. These days Maren is likely to be sharing the stage with such big names as Sheryl Crow or the Cowboy Junkies.

Ian Tyson

Ian Tyson is one of Canada's most respected and inspirational singer-songwriters. His career began in the early folk boom of the '60s. Today, he continues to sell out concert venues across North America. Ian's most recent CD, Songs from the Gravel Road, is his first CD of new songs since 1999. Ian Tyson’s list of honours include the Order of Canada, platinum records, Juno Awards and Canadian Country Music Awards.  He currently lives with his wife and daughter on a ranch near Longview, Alberta.

Wide Mouth Mason

Saskatchewan high-school buddies Shaun Verreault, Safwan Javed and Earl Pereira have been playing together for over 10 years and in that time have become one of Canada's most successful blues-rock bands. Taking their name from a canning jar, the band is known for their diverse musical style that is best heard live. With four albums to their name, they've opened for acts as diverse as ZZ Top, George Thorogood, Big Sugar, AC/DC, the Rolling Stones, and the Guess Who.

George Blondheim

George Blondheim is one of Canada's most notable film and television composers-not to mention conductor, arranger, music director and producer of pop, rock, country and jazz music. A winner of both a Genie and Gemini, George has been involved with many successful American and Canadian movies and TV shows, including The Jewel of the Nile, 9 1/2 Weeks and Davinci's Inquest. He has conducted orchestras including the Edmonton Symphony, Calgary Philharmonic, Toronto Festival, Vancouver Symphony, Hamilton Symphony, Kitchener-Waterloo and Orchestra Canada London. His piano performances have been described as "innovative" and "wildly energetic" pieces that surprise the listener with "sensitive maturity."