The Saugeen Times

Country stars overwhelmed
by friendly welcome
at Music in the Fields
By Erin Wilkins

A&E/Huron-Kinloss

To Comment on this article Click Here

Jaydee Bixby thrills the crowd at Music in the Fields, organized by the Lucknow Kinsmen, held Saturday at the Lucknow Soccer Fields
photos by Erin Wilkins

Members of The River Junction Band sign T-shirts to be auctioned off later, raising money for the Goderich Disaster Relief Fund

Dry County smiles for the camera backstage with birthday girls Julia Wardlaw and Tammy Delwo

Snakebite performs for the crowd at Music in the Fields

The huge stage is set for the Music in the Fields performers Saturday afternoon and evening

Canadian Idol winner Jaydee Bixby sat amazed after his set at the Lucknow Music in the Fields Saturday at the Lucknow Soccer Fields.

“Pretty rowdy crowd….its good!” he smiled.

This year's line-up started with such bands as Dry County, The River Junction Band, and Snakebite which gradually built up the energy at the star-studded country music concert.

When Jaydee Bixby and later Victoria Banks performed, there were already people at stage-side ready to get close to the national sensations.

The evening ended with the big acts, including Jason McCoy who celebrated his 32nd birthday on-stage, Lonestar, and finally headliner Blake Shelton.

“Great first impression of Lucknow,” said Bixby. “We’d love to come back.”

Jaydee Bixby is overwhelmed by the friendly atmosphere at Music in the Fields

Other bands also recognized the family-type atmosphere of Lucknow and the fantastic venue put on by the Lucknow Kinsmen.

“Friendly, friendly, friendly,” said Tammy Steeper of The River Junction Band, referring to Lucknow and the people she had met there.

“It makes you feel like home,” added Dave Steeper alongside Tammy.

Julia Wardlaw of York, Pennsylvania, and Tammy Delwo of Waterloo came to Music in the Fields to celebrate their 40th birthdays together. They were thrilled to meet the Dry County band and have their pictures taken with the group during the “meet and greet”.

“I hope this continues on,” said Wardlaw, with Delwo adding “...and everybody is so friendly”.

The show went off without a hitch. The weather stayed warm and sunny during the day and mild and clear into the evening. Several vendors served food and beverages, and the beer garden was offered again this year.

Only two men had to be escorted off the extended stage at different times in the night as they tried to get closer than was allowed. Both acts on-stage at the time responded to the outgoing fan with a sense of humor as the person was escorted away.

This is the third year for Music in the Fields. Much of the work is done by volunteers and proceeds go to the Kinsmen's charity, Cystic Fibrosis, and toward community betterment projects.

The Kinsmen gave 150 tickets to Canadian Armed Forces men and women this year in appreciation for their hard work.

Also, four Music in the Fields shirts were signed by the artists to be auctioned off at a later time, along with the proceeds from Jason McCoy's merchandise that evening, with the money going to the Goderich Disaster Relief Fund to help those in Goderich devastated by the tornado that hit Aug. 21.