Date: February 2nd, 2010
Show Time: 8:00pm
Tickets - $30 Advance $35 door
HEY ROMEO (opening for Deric Ruttan)
Hey Romeo is a hard working country act based in Edmonton and has been together since 2002. The band won the 2008 Canadian Country Music Association Top New Group of the Year. They were also nominated for a Western Canadian Music Award and a Canadian Radio Music Award for their debut record and hit single "Second Hand News". This year they were nominated for the 2009 CCMA Group of the Year and Rob Shapiro from the band won the 2009 CCMA Keyboard player of the year.
Deric Ruttan - Country / Acoustic / Folk
From the first notes of its title track, Deric Ruttan's new album First Time In A Long Time roars out of the speakers with a cool confidence and hip swagger that both illustrate Ruttan's understanding of his craft, and underscore his commitment to its straightforward, honest delivery. With its sing-along, infectious chorus, "First Time In A Long Time" is like a wink to Ruttan's fans who know exactly how long it's been since he's delivered new music.
Reclining in a worn leather chair in a back room at Sony/ATV Publishing in Nashville, the singer contemplates the last few years. "I know it's been a while, but for me, it's always been about the songs -- not a pre-determined marketing schedule," says Ruttan, referring to the time between the release of his critically-acclaimed, self-titled debut disc, and the delivery of First Time In A Long Time. "I needed the songs to be right before I made another record." "And," he says, smiling, "I've been pretty busy."
That's a bit of an understatement. After the release of his debut Deric Ruttan, the Nashville-based singer found himself flying all over the continent, performing his music everywhere from clubs to county fairs to some of North America's biggest festival stages, sharing the bill with everyone from Brooks and Dunn to Randy Travis. He was invited, on three separate occasions, to perform on the Grand Ole Opry. Country audiences are drawn into his good humored, charismatic performances, while among industry insiders his self-penned songs and vocal style draw comparisons to Bruce Springsteen, Waylon Jennings, and Steve Earle.
Deric Ruttan was raised just outside Bracebridge, Ontario, on land where his great grandfather made moonshine in the 1930's. It was the perfect backdrop for the singer/songwriter, who grew up listening to everything from CCR to Gordon Lightfoot to Johnny Cash. After touring with several country bar bands, Ruttan moved to Nashville, and signed a publishing deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing. Soon he had inked a recording contract with Disney's Lyric Street Records, and teamed up with veteran songwriter and producer Steve Bogard, to record his debut album. When the disc was released in Canada, the accolades and awards piled up quickly. The CD yielded 5 Top Ten singles, (including the hits, "When You Come Around", "Shine", and "Take The Wheel"), and earned him a "Best Album" nomination at the 2004 Canadian Country Music Awards. "Male Vocalist" and "Rising Star" nominations followed, as did the Grand Ol' Opry appearances, and a high-profile national tour. In 2004 he was named "Best New Solo Country Artist" at the Canadian Radio Music Awards. Stateside though, Ruttan's artist career was about to be eclipsed by his songwriting success.
