Latest news with #DeanBrody
CTV News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Open Air Dunlop kicks off Troubadour Festival
The Troubadour Festival Summer Concert Series draws thousands to downtown Barrie, Ont., on June 14, 2025, for headliner Canadian country artist Dean Brody. Dunlop Street in downtown Barrie will once again be closed for Open Air Dunlop and the Troubadour Festival later Saturday evening. Downtown Barrie BIA along with the Barrie Foodbank got things started Saturday morning with the help of the world's strongest man Mitchell Hooper. CTV's Sarah Freemark interviews the worlds strongest man Mitchell Hooper CTV's Sarah Freemark interviews the worlds strongest man Mitchell Hooper (CTV NEWS/ Sarah Freemark) Hooper, pushed a van full of food down Dunlop to help raise money and donations for the Barrie Foodbank. Classics in the Park also returns to downtown Barrie Saturday along Open Air Dunlop and in the park across from Meridian Place. Classics in the Park Classics in the Park returned to downtown Barrie for Open Air Dunlop (CTV NEWS/ Luke Simard) Brandon Valley, president of Barrie Thunder Classic said its the second time Thunder Classics have made their way to downtown during Open Air Dunlop. 'We changed the name a little bit to give some heritage to our show that used to be here in the park,' said Valley. Hundreds of vehicles are lined up throughout Heritage Park and along Dunlop Street and Valley hopes the younger generation is taking notice. 'It's very important because when we're gone, we need the next generation of caretaker to take these things and keep this tradition going, because this is there's a lot of history here, not only of North American cars, but also with cars from all over the world,' said Valley. Michael Bartley has a 1994 Chevrolet Silverado and said Classics in the Park is one of the best. 'The location can't be beat, of course, near the waterfront and all the other activities going on it makes it a really well-rounded show for everyone, including people who are not necessarily car enthusiasts,' said Bartley. Bartley added its important for classic cars to be appreciated. 'Especially for people in our age group it's nostalgic for us to have something that goes back years and years,' said Bartley. 'In our younger days, we were driving these vehicles as kids and it's nice to have them back again.' Setting the stage for the second Troubadour Festival of the summer headlined by The 99s. The outdoor music series kicks off at 6:00 p.m. with a local artist showcase including alt-rock band Goofus, folk-rock Sydney Riley + The Bog Bodies, and Dorene, an indie duo from Tottenham. The 99s will take the stage around 8:30 p.m. with hits and covers from bands like Tina Turner, ABBA, and Avril Lavigne.
CTV News
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Summer concert series returns to downtown Barrie with some hometown high notes
After Dean Brody took over Meridian Place last month, the Troubadour Festival Summer Concert Series is set to return to downtown Barrie with another emerging artist showcase headlined by The 99s. The emerging artist showcase will feature three bands including Goofus, Sydney Riley, and Dorene. David Bechard, guitarist for Goofus, is excited to open the showcase and pumped the crowd. 'We range from very soft, melodic songs to high energy, loud, heavier songs or heavier rock songs,' said Bechard. 'So, there's going to be a bit of diversity in our set, but I think, honestly with that said, there's something there for everyone.' As a band, this is Goofus' first outdoor festival and are excited for the challenge. 'Just to get that exposure within the community is incredible because I find so much of our fan base is coming from that smaller music community or that local community,' said Goofus drummer James Reich. 'We get to see each other play live and everything, it's just it's incredible, so the fact that we get to support it and be a part of it this weekend is incredible.' Sydney Riley will also be featured in the showcase and is looking forward to performing for the crowd. 'We don't get to perform in public a lot for our hometown like this, so it's going to be really fun to engage with the community in that sort of way and represent what local music has to offer,' said Riley, adding the downtown location is the ultimate outdoor venue. 'Meridian Place is honestly one of the best live venues that we get to play in, so it's the perfect location,' said Riley. 'It's the middle of downtown, if you're going to get dinner beforehand, you can just walk on by, and you'll be able to see us.' Riley said the band's music offers something for everyone. 'We try to be as engaging as possible, so it's going to be lots of big bangers and just lots of excitement,' said Riley. 'Not very much sad songs.' Punk rock band Dorene will also take the stage and is ready for the big moment. '[The audience] can expect some loud guitars and loud drums. A bit of pop, a bit of blues, a bit of rock,' said drummer Gray Laine. 'A fair bit of original, some classic Canadian covers as well, keep people happy and mix of that,' added guitarist Vincent Eagan, who also sings in the band. Headlining this week's festival is The 99s, with vocalist Carleigh Aikins, a Barrie native. 'That's the place where I kind of cut my teeth performing, right on that strip on Dunlop at all the venues and bars,' said Aikins. 'So, you know, it's always feels like a full circle moment to get to come home and have a good time with friends and family.' The 99s bring a throwback vibe where the audience can sing along and enjoy the nostalgia of older music. 'Saturday will feel like going to the town square and putting a coin in the jukebox and you kind of don't know what you're going to get,' said Aikins. 'But that's kind of the joy of it, like a radio dial. It's a nostalgic kind of trip down memory lane and It's always fun to watch the crowd experience these songs that maybe they forgot they loved or that they have a core memory with.' Open Air Dunlop will once again close Dunlop Street Saturday at 10 a.m. with Classics in the Park on display along downtown leading up to the emerging showcase. CTV News Barrie, Pure Country and Bounce 104.1 are proud sponsors of Troubadour Festival Summer Concert Series.
CTV News
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Country fans sing their hearts out at Troubadour Festival
Barrie Watch The first edition of the Troubadour Festival in Barrie with headliner Dean Brody
CTV News
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Troubadour Festival rocks downtown Barrie
Thousands of fans gathered in downtown Barrie to watch Dean Brody at the Troubadour Festival Thousands of fans filled Meridian Place to sing along with Dean Brody at the Troubadour Festival, a crowd never yet seen at the outdoor amphitheatre. Country fans from around the region sang and danced the night away with local musicians from the local country showcase contest. 3 local artists had the chance to play at Meridian Place, building momentum for Dean Brody at the end of the night. Lance Dobinson, from Wasaga Beach, was the first artist on the stage for the free concert and said it was a dream come true. Lance Dobinson, local artist showcase Lance Dobinson performs at the local artist showcase at the Troubadour Festival (CTV NEWS/ Luke Simard) 'Just a bonus to be on stage and doing what you enjoy doing,' said Dobinson. 'But a bonus as well to be opening up for Dean Brody, it doesn't get much better than that.' Next, Rebekah Hawker serenaded the crowds with her signing and songwriting abilities. Her music influenced from growing up in Oro-Medonte. She said the support and energy from the crowd was inspiring. 'Sometimes it can be really scary playing in front of new people you don't know, and I felt like the whole time, everyone was just ready to cheer for me and ready to, be there to support me,' said Hawker. 'So that felt amazing.' Rebekah Hawker, local showcase artist at Troubadour Festival in Barrie Rebekah Hawker, local showcase artist at Troubadour Festival in Barrie (CTV News/ Luke Simard) Hawker added she's thankful for the local artist showcase and the Troubadour Festival for supporting up and coming artists. 'It can change the course of someone's life, and it absolutely enriches our community,' said Hawker. 'It gives other people a way to access their emotions through other people's writing.' Country artist Cam Brown finishing off the local showcase with popular cover songs, as well as originals. He said as an artist, the Troubadour Festival has been a premium experience for an artist like himself. 'I come by Meridian (Place) all the time, and just to see how it's been transformed, and I got the green room here everybody's been so welcoming,' said Brown. 'Everyone's all in support of the same goal, just, an amazing community event.' Cam Brown, local artist showcase Troubadour Festival, Barrie Cam Brown, local artist showcase, plays in front of the crowd at the Troubadour Festival (CTV News/ Luke Simard) He added playing at the festival a humbling experience. 'I'm scanning across the crowd, there's people I know, some friends and family, people who just showed and it's just it's very humbling knowing that all the hard work you put in,' said Brown. 'People come down, enjoy some music on a Saturday night and support you. It's an incredible feeling.' Country music star Dean Brody took the stage around 8:30 p.m. finishing the night off with some of his country song hits. The 49-year-old Canadian has sold out stadiums across the country, but said his career started by his local community supporting his music. 'I just remember when I was young and I was just starting out and it was a dream, and it's like, man, I'd love to get in front of some people,' said Brody. 'It's tough. It's tough to get in front of a bunch of people that don't know your songs and you have to start somewhere.' He added he remembers when he first heard his music on the radio and the feelings that came with it. 'I remember when my local station played my stuff for the first time and I was over the moon,' said Brody. 'It was just such an amazing, accomplishment and radio's magic, I don't think it will ever stop being magic.' crowd at Troubadour Festival Crowds got their seats early in downtown Barrie for the first edition of the Troubadour Festival. (CTV NEWS/ Luke Simard) In case you missed the first edition of the Troubadour Festival, there are still 3 more summer concerts scheduled to take place this summer. Saturday July 26, The 99s will rock Meridian Place, August 16, Hawksley Workman will take the stage, and on September 6, Brett Kissel will finish off the summer concert series.
CTV News
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Barrie's Troubadour summer concert underway as live music, fans flood the streets
Live music is echoing through the downtown core as the Troubadour Festival Summer Concert Series kicks off at Meridian Place on June 14, 2025. (CTV NEWS / Luke Simard) Live music is echoing through the downtown core Saturday as the Troubadour Festival Summer Concert Series kicks off at Meridian Place, with Canadian country music star Dean Brody set to headline the evening. Crowds are already gathering as local openers Lance Dobinson, Rebekah Hawker, and Cam Brown get ready to take the stage in just a few hours. These three performers are warming up the audience with homegrown sounds ahead of Brody's 8:30 p.m. performance. Then when the clock strikes, sounds of multi-platinum, Canadian Country Music Award winner Dean Brody will flood the city. Brody is know for hits including, 'Canadian Summer,' 'Bring Down the House,' and 'Where'd You Learn to Do That?' Admission is free to all the concertgoers. Presented by CTV Barrie, Pure Country 106, BOUNCE 104.1, and the Downtown Barrie BIA, the series marks the return outdoor summer music to the waterfront. A free shuttle service is helping fans get downtown without the stress of parking, with stops running between Allandale GO Station and the heart of the action. Several roads are closed for Saturday's event, with detours in place. With awesome sunny weather, live music, and thousands in attendance, downtown Barrie is beginning to buzz.
