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November 1-5

‘Cabaret Corral’ live country music line-up announced for 49th Canadian Finals Rodeo

Oct 10, 2023 | 4:19 PM

The ‘Cabaret Corral’ country music entertainment lineup has been announced for the 49th Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR 49).

Right around the corner, this year’s CFR will run from November 1-5, with doors opening at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and 10:30 a.m. Saturday. The free nightly event features live music immediately following each rodeo performance in the Prairie Pavilion at Westerner Park (4847A 19 St.), showcasing Canadian talent, including:

Wednesday, November 1st – Brandon Lorenzo

Brandon Lorenzo is a homegrown country artist with a modern twist. Lorenzo was honoured with the titles of Male Vocalist of the Year and Male Entertainer of the Year at the North American Country Music Awards International (NACMAI) in Nashville in 2023. Additionally, he has received nominations for two categories at the upcoming Jose Awards in Nashville in October. Lorenzo is an eight-time Country Music Alberta Nominee, the 2020 Global Country Canada Winner and the 2020 YYC People’s Choice Award Winner. Lorenzo released his latest single, “One of a Kind”, to country radio in August, to showcase his evolving musical style. He has an ever-growing presence in the Canadian country music industry and has gained international recognition, opening for names such as Randy Houser and Brett Kissel, to name a few.

Thursday, November 2nd – Shantaia

2023 SCMA Female Artist of the Year Shantaia is a Nashville based singer/songwriter who was born and raised in the tiny town of Spiritwood, Saskatchewan. Showcasing powerful and unique vocals, some say Shantaia’s voice, much like her name, is unforgettable. Shantaia recently toured with The Washboard Union, and has also opened for names such as, Kane Brown, Chris Lane, Ryan Hurd, Emerson Drive, Charlie Major and more. Shantaia has played festivals all over Canada, including Cavendish Beach Music Festival, North by North East, Dauphin’s Country Fest, Country Thunder Saskatchewan, and because of SaskMusic and Breakout West, Shantaia played an official Americana Fest Showcase in 2019 in Nashville.

Friday, November 3rd – Quinton Blair

“Honest as a day spent on a tractor and driven like the drifting Prairie snow,” officials say. A seven-time Manitoba Country Music Association award winner, Quinton Blair is a road-running, tale-spinning singer/songwriter, playing his brand of 90s-infused country from the Shield to the Rockies. Sharing the stage with countless Canadian and American country acts, Blair has performed his brand of a troubadour, storytelling country that carries heavy undertones both of 70’s outlaw country and 90’s dancehall country flavour with fans all over North America.

Saturday, November 4th – Drew Gregory

Officials say this artist is back by popular demand as there is an undeniable authenticity and truthfulness to Drew Gregory’s music. The songs of this award-winning Alberta country music sensation are infused with a down-home realism, a gritty honesty, and a vibrant sense of rootedness that comes from years spent working the land as a farmer – an aspect of his life that is deeply connected to his talent as a musician, singer, and songwriter. Over his burgeoning career, to name a few, he has shared the stage and opened the concert and festival dates for Miranda Lambert, Kip Moore, Old Dominion, John Michael Montgomery, Big & Rich, Emerson Drive, and Chad Brownlee.

These artists will once again be backed by the “CFR All-Star Band,” a collection of Canadian musicians that boast dozens of Canadian Country Music Awards and CCMA Hall-of Fame Honours among them, playing with Canadian icons such as Dallas Smith, High Valley, Gord Bamford, James Barker Band, and many, many more.

The CFR Night Shift continues with the nightly Buckles Presentation at approximately 9:30 p.m., and the music rolls on late into the night with DJ B-Town returning to keep the good times going until the nightly 1 a.m. last call.

Additional entertainment announcements will follow in the days ahead. All Cabaret Corral entertainment is free for everyone of all ages to attend and a place to be for both pre and post rodeo performances at the Canadian Finals Rodeo.

Find details, including performance times, at CFRRedDeer.ca.