Two of Canada's biggest country music names are coming to Prince George together.
Paul Brandt and Dean Brody are co-headlining a long run across the breadth of Canada - 21 cities altogether - and Prince George is on their calendar Sept. 29 at CN Centre.
“Dean and I are both deeply proud of our Canadian roots,” said Brandt. “Touring our country together this fall allows us to engage with both sets of fans and celebrate the heritage of country music that inspired our careers.”
“Canada has the greatest fans in the world,” added Brody. “We are truly excited to bring our two styles together and create an unforgettable experience for them.”
Brandt has won more awards for his music than any male country artist Canada has ever produced. The only other males in the genre to have similar popularity status are the likes of Hank Snow, Ian Tyson and Wilf Carter.
Newcomer Brody, too, has his own quarter-section in that field. While this is an unprecedented examples in recent years of other big-name men in the country genrre - Brett Kissel, Johnny Reid, George Canyon - the two that consistently rise above the others in record sales, at the award show table, and in pop-culture referencing are Corb Lund and Dean Brody.
Lund is offline right now, focused on the reunion of his former rock group The Smalls, so Brody has the place to himself right now. He is the reigning winner of both the Canadian Country Music Award and the Juno Award for top male in Canada.
According to Brody and Brandt, the two spotted a kindred spirit in the way they each approached the business of making music. Most notably, both are devoted to the telling of stories within their songs.
"They both set off for Nashville early in their careers, which proved to be a defining time for each of them. As a result, both continue to hold the rich history found in Nashville close to their hearts by still actively writing and recording there," said a joint statement issued by the two country gentlemen. "Brody and Brandt share commonalities beyond the scope of their success in country music, making the decision to partner on a national tour an easy one. Both were born in Western Canada and were raised with strong family values – a common thread that is clear not only in how they conduct themselves - including a deep investment and commitment to those in need - but a dominating force in their songs."
Brandt has released three chart-happy singles in the past year: Get A Bed, Forever Summer and the new hit Nothing.
Brody released his new album Gypsy Road on Monday, led by the hit single Upside Down.
Since Brandt and Brody are co-headliners, that leaves a clear spot for an opening act. Since the accidental theme of this tour is "cream of the country croup" why not bring along the No. 1 female country artist in Canada for good measure? Tickets to see the two Bs will also get you the reigning CCMA Female Artist of the Year Jess Moskaluke. It was an impressive accomplishment for someone riding the rails of her first major release, the overnight sensation album Light Up The Night. It provided the single Cheap Wine & Cigarettes which hit No. 11 on the Canadian country charts but also cracked the Top 50 on the pop charts. The album also picked up a Juno Award nomination for best country package of the year and she got another Juno nomination for Breakthrough Artist of the Year in all combined genres.
Prince George gets to see all three of these music forces this fall.
Tickets go on sale on Friday at 10 a.m.
