2016 Boots & Hearts Preview: Emerging Artists Q&A
Boots & Hearts has picked its finalists for the Emerging Artist Competition, but they still need your help! When you’re done reading and watching, come back and vote here!
To help you with the decision making, we did a Q&A with the finalists to help you get to know them a little better. We asked them about who they’re listening to, what they were doing when they heard they’d made the finals, what we can expect from them, and more.
Thanks to Vanessa Marie Carter, Jess and Tay, Ryan Langdon, Shylo Sharity, Kelsi Mayne, Robyn Ottolini, and Jesse Gold for playing along, and we can’t wait to meet you!
Q. How did you find out about the contest?
Vanessa Marie Carter: I heard about the Boots & Hearts Emerging Artist contest a few years ago. The Canadian Country music scene is a really tight community, especially within Ontario. With Boots & Hearts being the king of Canadian Country festivals, it’s a hard one not to hear about! I’m so happy that I have the chance to be there this summer.
Jess and Tay: We found out about the Emerging Artist Showcase through Twitter and we knew we had to enter.
Ryan Langdon: I’ve heard about the contest for the past couple of years now. Something came up online and I decided to enter.
Shylo Sharity: I was told I should enter by a friend.
Kelsi Mayne: I found out about B&H 3 years ago when I moved to Toronto and had a huge billboard right outside my window with Miranda Lambert (my idol) on it. Naturally, I looked into it which lead me to learn about the Emerging Artist Showcase. It’s been a dream of mine ever since!
Robyn Ottolini: I watched it last year at Boots and Hearts!
Jesse Gold: An incredible band and dear friends of mine, Birds Of Bellwoods, were one of the emerging artist bands in 2015. After watching them kill it and have an amazing time I decided I had to apply for 2016!
Q. Tell us what you were doing when you received the news you’d been chosen?
Vanessa Marie Carter: I was at work when I received the news that I’d been chosen for the showcase! I read and re-read the e-mail about three times to make sure I hadn’t mistaken something. As an up and coming artist, that really was THE best news to receive.
Jess and Tay: We had just woken up and Jess was heading to an exam when I (Tay) was just about to go back to sleep when I heard the email notification. I saw “Boots and Hearts Emerging Artist Showcase” as the description and immediately showed Jess and we were ecstatic to find out that we had been chosen.
Ryan Langdon: I was actually at the gym working out when I found out the news.
Shylo Sharity: I was at home when I received an email informing me I was one of the finalists. It is hard to describe how I felt but let me try. Elated, amazed, joyous, and incredibly happy!
Kelsi Mayne: I was in the middle of the Apple store getting help when I hopped on their wifi and saw an email titled “Boots and Hearts Emerging Artist TOP 8 FINALIST”. I had to read it three times over until I truly believed they were speaking about me. Then I did my best not to scream and bear hug the Apple genius next to me!
Robyn Ottolini: I was just lying in bed checking my emails when it popped up and I just started shaking I couldn’t believe it!!
Jesse Gold: I was actually in the middle of recording and I had forgotten to turn my phone on silent. In the middle of a perfect take, my phone made that little email “ding” sound. I screamed some profanities and then checked my phone to find that it was the incredible news from Boots & Hearts. I was not upset about the ruined take!
Q. If you were creating a playlist, what are the top three tunes?
Vanessa Marie Carter: This is such a difficult question!! Currently, my top 3 recently played are T-Shirt by Thomas Rhett, Mind Reader by Dustin Lynch and Fire Away by Chris Stapleton.
Jess and Tay:
1) House Party – Sam Hunt
2) I Know What You Did Last Summer – Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello
3) Redneck Woman – Gretchen Wilson
Ryan Langdon:
1) Chris Young – The Man I Want To Be
2) George Strait – Troubadour
3) Prince – I Would Die For You
Shylo Sharity:
Chris Stapelton – Tennessee Whiskey
Kacey Musgraves – Biscuits
Lana Del Rey – National Anthem
Kelsi Mayne: My top 3 favourite songs at the moment are: Blame it On Me- Chris Stapleton, Drink You Away- Justin Timberlake, and Die a Happy Man- Thomas Rhett
Robyn Ottolini: Beer Can in a Truck Bed- Old Dominion, Rich- Maren Morris and What the Hell Did I Say?- Dierks Bentley
Jesse Gold: I create playlists for different moods. But for a summer sun, country lovin’, good ol’ time, playlist… these would be the three top songs on it now:
Waves – Miguel feat. Kacey Musgraves
I Want Crazy – Hunter Hayes
Traveller – Chris Stapleton
Q. Who are you most excited to see at Boots and Hearts?
Vanessa Marie Carter: Cam and Chase Rice are two I haven’t seen before who I’m really looking forward to watching! Along with all of the headliners, I have so many friends who are playing the festival as well who I can’t wait to see. It’s going to be an awesome three days!
Jess and Tay: We are super excited to see everyone performing at Boots and Hearts this year, but we’d have to say that we are most excited to see Sam Hunt play because it will be the first time either of us is seeing him perform live.
Ryan Langdon: I’m really excited to see Tim McGraw. He’s a legend. One of my biggest influences in Country Music.
Shylo Sharity: I’m most excited to see Blake Shelton and Jake Owen!
Kelsi Mayne: This question is impossible… Obviously Blake Shelton and Tim McGraw (I would die to have them mentor me), Cam- because I covered her song “Burning House” and used it in my audition tape, Sam Hunt- because he is such a unique innovator; But also my friends River Town Saints, and other amazing Canadian talent!
Robyn Ottolini: OMG, Sam Hunt and Cam. <3
Jesse Gold: I am most excited to see Blake. His new record is fiiiiire.
Q. In 50 words or less, can you tell us and the fans what we can expect to see when you hit the Front Porch Stage at Boots & Hearts?
Vanessa Marie Carter: The most common compliment I hear from fans while I’m on stage is that it looks like I’m having a lot of fun. I hope that everyone who catches my set is ready to let loose and have a good time with us. Performing is something that I love and I won’t be taking this opportunity for granted! I invite everyone who’s there watching to come over and meet me after; I have so many friends that I’ve made at festivals and shows and I’d love to make a lot more. I can’t wait to see you all and party with you at Boots & Hearts this summer!
Jess and Tay: Everyone can expect to see a super energetic and lively performance. We just want to go up there, give it our best shot, and have as much fun as possible doing what we love. We’re extremely excited to be able to play at the festival this year, it’s a dream come true for the both of us, and we’re so excited to share this memory together and with all of you! Thank you to thereviewsarein for taking their time to get to know us and to everyone at Boots and Hearts and Sirius XM for this amazing opportunity!
Ryan Langdon: What they can expect is high energy, smooth vocals and somebody who is having a great time doing it. On stage, I provide new and old school concepts of Country Music, mixed with originality. Some comparisons I have received is being the “Ed Sheeran of Country Music”.
Shylo Sharity: You will see a very energetic entertainer performing classic, new country, revamped rock and roll to my own country style and some of my own originals.
Kelsi Mayne: FIRE. *Drop mic here* 😉
Robyn Ottolini: You can expect a small town girl having way too much playing her favourite tunes and straight up having a good time.
Jesse Gold: Performing is my all time favourite thing to do. There is nowhere I feel more comfortable than on a stage. I can’t wait to show Boots & Hearts the energy that my band and I will bring. We have some special moments planned, maybe a surprise cover, and a seriously killer band. It’s going to be absolutely wicked. Get ready!!
Competitors Entries
Competitors Boots & Hearts Trailers
(We’ll be updating as they become available)
Author profile
Writer/Photographer/Editor
Toronto Music Blogger
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2016 Boots & Hearts Preview: Emerging Artists Q&A
By Trish Cassling
Boots & Hearts has picked its finalists for the Emerging Artist Competition, but they still need your help! When you’re done reading and watching, come back and vote here!
To help you with the decision making, we did a Q&A with the finalists to help you get to know them a little better. We asked them about who they’re listening to, what they were doing when they heard they’d made the finals, what we can expect from them, and more.
Thanks to Vanessa Marie Carter, Jess and Tay, Ryan Langdon, Shylo Sharity, Kelsi Mayne, Robyn Ottolini, and Jesse Gold for playing along, and we can’t wait to meet you!
Q. How did you find out about the contest?
Vanessa Marie Carter: I heard about the Boots & Hearts Emerging Artist contest a few years ago. The Canadian Country music scene is a really tight community, especially within Ontario. With Boots & Hearts being the king of Canadian Country festivals, it’s a hard one not to hear about! I’m so happy that I have the chance to be there this summer.
Jess and Tay: We found out about the Emerging Artist Showcase through Twitter and we knew we had to enter.
Ryan Langdon: I’ve heard about the contest for the past couple of years now. Something came up online and I decided to enter.
Shylo Sharity: I was told I should enter by a friend.
Kelsi Mayne: I found out about B&H 3 years ago when I moved to Toronto and had a huge billboard right outside my window with Miranda Lambert (my idol) on it. Naturally, I looked into it which lead me to learn about the Emerging Artist Showcase. It’s been a dream of mine ever since!
Robyn Ottolini: I watched it last year at Boots and Hearts!
Jesse Gold: An incredible band and dear friends of mine, Birds Of Bellwoods, were one of the emerging artist bands in 2015. After watching them kill it and have an amazing time I decided I had to apply for 2016!
Q. Tell us what you were doing when you received the news you’d been chosen?
Vanessa Marie Carter: I was at work when I received the news that I’d been chosen for the showcase! I read and re-read the e-mail about three times to make sure I hadn’t mistaken something. As an up and coming artist, that really was THE best news to receive.
Jess and Tay: We had just woken up and Jess was heading to an exam when I (Tay) was just about to go back to sleep when I heard the email notification. I saw “Boots and Hearts Emerging Artist Showcase” as the description and immediately showed Jess and we were ecstatic to find out that we had been chosen.
Ryan Langdon: I was actually at the gym working out when I found out the news.
Shylo Sharity: I was at home when I received an email informing me I was one of the finalists. It is hard to describe how I felt but let me try. Elated, amazed, joyous, and incredibly happy!
Kelsi Mayne: I was in the middle of the Apple store getting help when I hopped on their wifi and saw an email titled “Boots and Hearts Emerging Artist TOP 8 FINALIST”. I had to read it three times over until I truly believed they were speaking about me. Then I did my best not to scream and bear hug the Apple genius next to me!
Robyn Ottolini: I was just lying in bed checking my emails when it popped up and I just started shaking I couldn’t believe it!!
Jesse Gold: I was actually in the middle of recording and I had forgotten to turn my phone on silent. In the middle of a perfect take, my phone made that little email “ding” sound. I screamed some profanities and then checked my phone to find that it was the incredible news from Boots & Hearts. I was not upset about the ruined take!
Q. If you were creating a playlist, what are the top three tunes?
Vanessa Marie Carter: This is such a difficult question!! Currently, my top 3 recently played are T-Shirt by Thomas Rhett, Mind Reader by Dustin Lynch and Fire Away by Chris Stapleton.
Jess and Tay:
1) House Party – Sam Hunt
2) I Know What You Did Last Summer – Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello
3) Redneck Woman – Gretchen Wilson
Ryan Langdon:
1) Chris Young – The Man I Want To Be
2) George Strait – Troubadour
3) Prince – I Would Die For You
Shylo Sharity:
Chris Stapelton – Tennessee Whiskey
Kacey Musgraves – Biscuits
Lana Del Rey – National Anthem
Kelsi Mayne: My top 3 favourite songs at the moment are: Blame it On Me- Chris Stapleton, Drink You Away- Justin Timberlake, and Die a Happy Man- Thomas Rhett
Robyn Ottolini: Beer Can in a Truck Bed- Old Dominion, Rich- Maren Morris and What the Hell Did I Say?- Dierks Bentley
Jesse Gold: I create playlists for different moods. But for a summer sun, country lovin’, good ol’ time, playlist… these would be the three top songs on it now:
Waves – Miguel feat. Kacey Musgraves
I Want Crazy – Hunter Hayes
Traveller – Chris Stapleton
Q. Who are you most excited to see at Boots and Hearts?
Vanessa Marie Carter: Cam and Chase Rice are two I haven’t seen before who I’m really looking forward to watching! Along with all of the headliners, I have so many friends who are playing the festival as well who I can’t wait to see. It’s going to be an awesome three days!
Jess and Tay: We are super excited to see everyone performing at Boots and Hearts this year, but we’d have to say that we are most excited to see Sam Hunt play because it will be the first time either of us is seeing him perform live.
Ryan Langdon: I’m really excited to see Tim McGraw. He’s a legend. One of my biggest influences in Country Music.
Shylo Sharity: I’m most excited to see Blake Shelton and Jake Owen!
Kelsi Mayne: This question is impossible… Obviously Blake Shelton and Tim McGraw (I would die to have them mentor me), Cam- because I covered her song “Burning House” and used it in my audition tape, Sam Hunt- because he is such a unique innovator; But also my friends River Town Saints, and other amazing Canadian talent!
Robyn Ottolini: OMG, Sam Hunt and Cam. <3
Jesse Gold: I am most excited to see Blake. His new record is fiiiiire.
Q. In 50 words or less, can you tell us and the fans what we can expect to see when you hit the Front Porch Stage at Boots & Hearts?
Vanessa Marie Carter: The most common compliment I hear from fans while I’m on stage is that it looks like I’m having a lot of fun. I hope that everyone who catches my set is ready to let loose and have a good time with us. Performing is something that I love and I won’t be taking this opportunity for granted! I invite everyone who’s there watching to come over and meet me after; I have so many friends that I’ve made at festivals and shows and I’d love to make a lot more. I can’t wait to see you all and party with you at Boots & Hearts this summer!
Jess and Tay: Everyone can expect to see a super energetic and lively performance. We just want to go up there, give it our best shot, and have as much fun as possible doing what we love. We’re extremely excited to be able to play at the festival this year, it’s a dream come true for the both of us, and we’re so excited to share this memory together and with all of you! Thank you to thereviewsarein for taking their time to get to know us and to everyone at Boots and Hearts and Sirius XM for this amazing opportunity!
Ryan Langdon: What they can expect is high energy, smooth vocals and somebody who is having a great time doing it. On stage, I provide new and old school concepts of Country Music, mixed with originality. Some comparisons I have received is being the “Ed Sheeran of Country Music”.
Shylo Sharity: You will see a very energetic entertainer performing classic, new country, revamped rock and roll to my own country style and some of my own originals.
Kelsi Mayne: FIRE. *Drop mic here* 😉
Robyn Ottolini: You can expect a small town girl having way too much playing her favourite tunes and straight up having a good time.
Jesse Gold: Performing is my all time favourite thing to do. There is nowhere I feel more comfortable than on a stage. I can’t wait to show Boots & Hearts the energy that my band and I will bring. We have some special moments planned, maybe a surprise cover, and a seriously killer band. It’s going to be absolutely wicked. Get ready!!
Competitors Entries
Competitors Boots & Hearts Trailers
(We’ll be updating as they become available)
Author profile
Writer/Photographer/Editor
Toronto Music Blogger
Jess and Tay,
Your remarks are very sincere. Congratulations to you both for all of the hard work you two ladies have put in this year. Good luck!