This past Friday night amid torrential down pours, flooding, and opening day at the Ex, swarms of Country music fans still made their way to Budweiser Stage.
The reason for this gathering of cowbow boots, and plaid shirts, was Canadian country sensation Dean Brody.
And he brought along friends. Joining the C.C.M.A. & Juno award winning singer were Florida’s Michael Ray, and Canadian folk rock singer Alan Doyle from the band “Great Big Sea”.
Michael Ray warmed the crowd up, as did the shots of Jim Beam everyone was drinking. The first three songs he performed were; Fan Girl, Kiss You In The Morning, and Summer Water.
A brief intermission followed, allowing those who were thirsty to refill empty beverages in between the frequent showers.
Next on stage was Alan Doyle. The “Great Big Sea” singer is touring to promote his solo work, and to my and most other fans delight, he also performed some Great Big Sea material.
Joining him was Canadian violinist Kendel Carson, who was as much a pleasure to watch perform as she was to listen to. It sounded great, alongside Alan Doyle’s kind of gruff voice.
The first three songs that Alan Doyle played were; Come Out With Me, When I’m Up, and Now Or Never.
Time for the evening’s headliner and the stage is awash in brilliant red and white lights, and Dean Brody emerges on the stage, guitar in hand and cowboy hat on head.
He had fans on their feet, dancing in the aisles, and in puddles of rain water pretty much the rest of the night.
During his encore, Dean brought Alan Doyle back on stage to join him in the song “It’s Friday”. That pretty much summed up the mood that night.
It’s always nice to see how not even a wicked summer storm can put a damper on festive spirits at a summer evening concert in Toronto.