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Looking at this year’s Big Valley Jamboree musical lineup, its midway attractions, marketplace, songwriters workshop and — perhaps most importantly — its sprawling, patio-lantern beer gardens, well, it all quickly puts to bed worries the 30-year-old music festival is undergoing any major surgery since being taken over by Country Thunder Music Festivals’ parent company, Premier Global Productions.
I mean, Bulls for Breakfast is these days called (indeed more accurately) “the Morning Bull Ride,” but …
“It has a great tradition and a long history,” says Gerry Krochak, director of corporate and media relations for Country Thunder, which runs seven fests by that name, from ground zero Craven to Calgary to Bristol, Florida. “It’s one of the longest-running festivals in North America — so it’s going to be Big Valley Jamboree.
“We’re going to come up with a lineup that’s going to blow people’s f—ing minds,” Krochak laughs, explaining the mandate leading up to the fest, noting this year’s headliners Dallas Smith, Eric Church and Tim McGraw — as well as a few more names we’ll dive into in a second.
BVJ runs July 28-31 within its city of RVs blasting Sweet Home Alabama on the stereo at Camrose Regional Exhibition Grounds.
“And we’re going to keep the traditions that mean a lot, and add improvements — but you have to get in there and get your hands dirty and figure it out.”
The pandemic — you know, that little monster — stopped the new management from being able to test drive BVJ in 2020 (and 2021), though five of its American festivals went ahead last year.
“I don’t know if there was a trepidation,” says Krochak for audiences returning. “More of an excitement and hope.
“One thing I think we’ve learned — with sports, too — it wasn’t the pro athletes, or rock stars, to country music stars that were the most important part of the equation, it was the fans. The fans are everything, because being in large crowds cheering for what we love it’s part of our DNA.”
Scan the ticketed seats and campgrounds online, BVJ’s audience is obvious in.
While not entirely sold out — there are plenty of general admission tickets left — assigned seats to the fest are getting scarce, and can be picked up at bigvalleyjamboree.com.
Which brings us to the music, starting with Dallas Smith headlining Friday night.
“He’s a bonafide superstar in Canada,” Krochak says. “A singular talent. I’ve seen him on a beer garden stage at 2 in the morning singing Zeppelin and Soundgarden and doing it justice.”
Terri Clark, Hunter Brothers and Mackenzie Porter lead up to Smith Friday.
“Eric Church is one of the biggest country superstars in the world, always pushing the envelope with every new record,” notes Krochak, who incidentally owns a record store in Calgary. “He’s going to challenge the crowd a bit, but he’s gathered that pile of hits. He’s built for festivals. It’s going to be a fun show.”
Up before Church’s show: Hardy, Lauren Alaina and Phil Vassar.
Moving from Saturday to Sunday, we get into BVJ favourite Tim McGraw. “He’s a veteran act that’s stood the test of time. If you forget about him, he’ll come out and put on one of the best shows you’ve seen yet.”
James Barker Band, Blanco Brown and The Washboard Union lead into McGraw.
“So just that 1-2-3 punch, it’s one you can’t help be proud of,” says Krochak.
Trace Adkins and Dustin Lynch are the Thursday night kickoff party, with The Road Hammers and Trevor Panczak warming it up.
Now, I’m not going to linger here, but you may have noticed a lack of female performers in any of the headlining spots. It’s news to no one that modern radio country is very “bro,” and Krochak responds to the fact just four of 24 acts are female-led.
“It comes down to ratio — there’s so many more male-fronted acts. And we can’t wait for the next hot female act, and I think where Mackenzie Porter fits on this bill — every time we have her she gains fans. Lauren Alaina’s someone who doesn’t spend enough time in Canada, so everyone’s thrilled when she takes the stage with that powerhouse voice.
“And Terri Clark and Michelle Wright represent — but we’re always looking for great female acts.”
Asked to pick a couple don’t-miss, lesser known acts, Krochak picks a few with ease. “Don’t miss Kameron Marlowe (1 p.m. Sunday). And don’t miss Mackenzie Porter (3 p.m. Friday). Those are the one that you’re going to be glad that you got there early.
“And Hardy may get one of the loudest receptions of the weekend. It’s a rock show, and he’s super fun and funny on stage, and he’s one that young people really gravitate to.”
Three-day general admission is $260 a person, a three-day standing pass right up front is $575. Single day general admission is $130 a day, the Thursday kickoff party is $50. What’s left of camping in the south-end Country Nation and Heartland Campgrounds, run at $205 for the weekend — with an extra $45 for a secondary vehicle.
“Music is love,” Krochak declares. “Music brings people together. That’s what’s special about a festival space like BVJ — it’s about enjoying the weather and being together maybe for the first time since the last one.
“Get ready to discover your new favourite band and enjoy some headliners that are going to blow your doors off,” he says.
“BVJ is back in town.”
Source: EdmontonJournal
