Boots & Hearts 2021 Emerging Artist Showcase Semi-Finalists Preview!
Live country music is coming to Burl’s Creek in 2021 – but not how we normally experience it. Boots & Hearts may not be coming in full steam ahead… that’s doesn’t mean there’s not going to be a party though!
The Endless Summer Series is bringing two weekends of country music to the event grounds – and on the weekend of August 6 & 7, 2021 (Friday and Saturday), the Emerging Artist Showcase will join Brett Kissel, Jess Moskaluke, Tebey and more Canadian country on stage.
It’s big for a lot of reasons. 1) We’ve all missed live music. 2) It’s an all-Canadian lineup. 3) Live music! 4) The Emerging Artist Showcase can truly be someone’s big break.
In years past we’ve watched Tebey, James Barker Band, Jade Eagleson, The Reklaws and others win the contest – and it’s worked out pretty well. This year, 8 more country music artists will take their shot.
Related: Boots & Hearts Set to Bring Country Music Back to Burls
The showcase goes down on Saturday, August 7, 2021 – and will feature the 8 artists listed below. The winner will be looking at a prize that includes…
‣ A single release with Warner Music Canada
‣ The chance to perform at the 2022 Boots & Hearts Music Festival
‣ Professional songwriting Session
‣ Management sessions from Invictus Entertainment
Every one of these artists is working hard to get to the next level, and this is a chance to take a big step. Here’s to all of them – good luck, kick some ass, enjoy yourselves up there!
The Emerging Artist Showcase Semi-Finalists
◦ Buck Twenty
Hometown: Windsor, ON
From their bio: Fans recognize Buck Twenty for their trademark sound, which is bursting with harmonies, catchy hooks, as well as the surplus of positive energy they have on stage.
◦ Jaclyn Kenyon
Hometown: Burlington, ON
From her bio: A lot of Country and a little Rock and Roll is what you can feel just by meeting this 22-year-old Ontario Native who has been going Back and forth to Nashville since she was a young teenager. Jaclyn’s Vison statement is to “Inspire Lives, Touch Hearts and Give back through the Gift of Music”
◦ Riley Taylor
Hometown: Burton, NB
From his bio: Specializing in country music of days gone by, and the diamonds in the rough from today.
◦ Elyse Saunders
Hometown: Peterborough, ON
From her bio: Country music has always felt like home for Elyse Saunders. From the dynamic stages of Toronto to the bright lights of Nashville, the Peterborough, Ontario native has followed a path of steadfast determination and artistic inspiration – regularly captivating crowds with her powerhouse vocals, engaging live show personality, and interactive charm.
◦ Mike Whiteside
Hometown: Port Perry, ON
From his bio: After receiving his business degree in university a career in financial planning seemed like a set in stone future. It wasn’t until a Kenny Chesney concert in the summer of 2018 inspired him to get back to his artistic roots. A breakup, a table saw accident and a haircut are the unique events that led him down the road of writing and recording country music.
Instagram – @mikewhitesidemusic
◦ Mallory Johnson
Hometown: Conception Bay South, NL
From her bio: Raised on icons like Dolly, Merle and Loretta, it’s no surprise that Mallory wanted to pursue country music. However, hailing from Newfoundland and Labrador, another genre of music is near and dear to her heart — Celtic music. Mallory started her professional career performing with the 6-time MusicNL award-winning and ECMA-nominated Celtic family band “The Cormiers”.
◦ Andy Bast
Hometown: Renaulds Mills, NB
From his bio: Andy Bast is a country singer and multi-instrumentalist… known for adding his personal vocal acrobatics in his interpretations. From his biggest musical influence in Keith Urban, sounding similar to Rascal Flatts with a touch of Vince Gill, it only takes few notes and his genuine smile to get his crowd wrapped around his finger.
◦ Jesse Slack
Hometown: Peterborough, ON
From his bio: Growing up, Jesse had the opportunity to explore a wide variety of musical styles and creative ideas. Eventually, this allowed him to develop a very personal and one-of-a-kind sound, which makes his music stand out from the crowd.
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