LITTLE CURRENT—Northern Ontario’s premier country festival, Manitoulin Country Fest, is excited to announce the newest addition to their 2017 line up–te legendary Dwight Yoakam. Headlining on Friday, August 11, Mr. Yoakam will join 10 previously announced acts for this three-day event, taking place August 10 – 12, 2017.
Kelly Timmermans, Manitoulin Country Fest co-organizer, said she and husband Craig are “thrilled” to have the country music icon coming to Manitoulin. Ms. Timmermans revealed that they have been working on getting Mr. Yoakam since before Country Fest 2016 but only just confirmed his presence this summer last week.
Having sold more than 25 million albums worldwide, Dwight Yoakam is a 21-time nominated, multiple GRAMMY Award winner. He has 12 gold albums and nine platinum or multi-platinum albums, with five of those albums topping Billboard’s Country Albums chart, and another 14 landing in the Top 10. In celebration of his critically-acclaimed album ‘3 Pears,’ he received the Artist of the Year award at the 2013 Americana Music Honors and Awards ceremony, the most prestigious award offered by the organization. His most recent album ‘Swimmin’ Pools, Movie Stars…’ was released this fall to critical acclaim with NPR proclaiming, “You can hear Yoakam making masterful choices on every phrase of these new versions.” The record hit No. 2 on Billboard’s Bluegrass Album Chart and No. 1 on Soundscan’s Bluegrass Chart, No. 6 on their Country Current Chart.
Ms. Timmermans was also pleased to note that Mr. Yoakam has only two Canadian tour dates on his 2017 schedule—Victoria, BC and Manitoulin.
“He’s still very relevant today,” she added. “He’s had a many decades career.”
Previously announced Manitoulin Country Fest acts include The Abrams, Washboard Union, Corb Lund (Thursday); David James, Meghan Patrick, Michelle Wright (Friday); Nicole Rayy, The Lovelocks, Western Swing Authority, and Chris Buck Band (Saturday). Two more additions to the line-up are planned to be announced in the New Year.
Ms. Timmermans encouraged Country Festers to get their early bird tickets before December 31 when they go from $99.99 plus tax for adults to $129.99 January 1. Limited VIP passes are still available for $259.99 plus tax.
For more information surrounding the Manitoulin Country Fest, artists announcement and ticket prices, please visit www.manitoulincountryfest.com. To book a campsite or purchase tickets, please call (705) 368-1998 or 1-866-755-7425.
