There is a flow from Prince George to the biggest country music showcase in the province.
Rockin' River Fest in Merritt is only about 90 days away, but the energy is already being projected towards that enormous festival. The headliners are powerful: Sam Hunt, Dean Brody, John Michael Montgomery, The Road Hammers, High Valley, Randy Houser, The Chris Buck Band and many more.
A local vocalist may be joining the names on the marquee. A provincial competition is happening to uncover some of B.C.'s best singers, and Prince George is the site of the only northern arena.
Every Wednesday night until June 15, the Treasure Cove Casino has a panel of judges, a stage and a microphone set up waiting for... you?
"We have six weeks left. To get into the weekly showcase, you go online to www.roadtoriverfest.com and follow the links from their home page, or you can just show up early on Wednesday night and get signed up," said Amanda Chandler of Treasure Cove Casino.
The first week had a pair of winners: Genevieve Tucker and Chaz Amos. The second week's title went to Tessa Fraser. Each week's winner goes to the regional playoffs, and that winner will go on to compete at the provincial playoffs on the July long weekend. The ultimate winner gets to open for headliner Sam Hunt during Rockin' River Fest.
"I enjoy promoting local talent, because P.G. has so much of it," said Chandler. "Even in our first week we had extremely talented people come out, and we expect that to build. It is free entertainment for the audience. People can just come listen, support local talent, and be part of the whole night of live music."
Competitors have been travelling in from out of town to compete. The entry fee is $20 for your first attempt, and if you aren't picked by the judges on your first try, you can come back in subsequent weeks to sing again, and those additional trips to the stage cost $10.
Chandler also pointed out that the Rockin' River Fest genre is country but the competition is open to any style of music as long as it is presentable in that setting so folk, pop, southern rock, blues, even some forms of jazz, etc. could fit the bill. Anyone with aspirations is encouraged to give it a try and let the judges be the, well, the judge of that.
Registration is at 6:30 p.m., the singing gets underway at 7 p.m.
