Salmon Festival Lineup 2008

Posted on: June 09, 2008

Councilor James Courtney, Chairperson for the 2008 Exploits Valley Salmon Festival, announced the lineup for this year’s Exploits Valley Salmon Festival concert. This year’s event features the multi-platinum Blue Rodeo, winner of the 2008 Juno Award for Group of the Year, Finger Eleven, winner of the 2008 Juno Award’s Rock Album of the Year, Hedley, Metric, Crash Parallel, Papa String, and guest hosts the Trailer Park Boys. Councilor Courtney stated: “You asked for it, and you got it, the best line-up to date for all concert goers. This year’s lineup will include the award winning Canadian icons, Blue Rodeo as well as Finger Eleven, who joined Blue Rodeo as Juno winners this year.”

Blue Rodeo:

Blue Rodeo is a Canadian country rock band which was formed in the year 1984 in Toronto. Up-to-date, including Outskirts, they have 11 full-length releases along with multiple solo albums, side projects, and collaborations. Blue Rodeo is one of the most successful and well known contemporary Canadian bands, having released 11 full-length studio albums, 3 live recordings, 1 greatest hits package and 5 video/DVDs.[4] Their studio albums have sold over 3 million copies. Cuddy, Keelor, Donovan and Egan have all released solo albums, and Glenn Milchem performs his own solo music under the pseudonym "the swallows". Blue Rodeo members have collaborated extensively with other notable Canadian artists, including Sarah McLachlan, The Tragically Hip, Burton Cummings, Great Big Sea, Jann Arden, The Sadies, Skydiggers, Crash Vegas, the Cowboy Junkies, Sarah Harmer, and Kathleen Edwards.

Finger Eleven:

Finger Eleven (also known as F11 and Finger 11) is a Canadian alternative metal band formed in 1989. From Burlington, Ontario, they have currently released five studio albums; with their 2003 self-titled album Finger Eleven bringing them into the mainstream with the hit single "One Thing". Their 2007 album Them vs. You vs. Me launched the single "Paralyzer", which went on to top numerous charts including the Canadian Hot 100 and both US rock charts, as well as reaching #6 on the US Hot 100.

Hedley:

There’s no denying that Hedley’s new album, Famous Last Words, shows an edge, a purpose, a defined personality that only comes from experience and development. So while they continue their legendary goofball rock ‘n roll antics, their music is evolving and maturing to a whole new level. Famous Last Words is filled with sweet turns and surprises.

Hedley was Nominated for 6 Much Music Video Awards in 2008- including Favorite Canadian Group. They won a Much Music Video Award 2007 for Best Pop Video (Gunnin’).Their current single “Never Too Late” was the most added and most increased spins week. It is currently top 5 at Hot AC, top 10 at Top 40, and climbing.

Recently, Hedley completed a sold out cross-Canada Live Nation Canadian tour, with 2000+ seaters. They had a 12 date fall 2007 Canadian stadium tour with BON JOVI, putting them in front of 200,000 fans. Hedley also completed extensive US and Canadian touring: headlining as well as supporting Nickelback, Simple Plan,

Yellowcard, and 3 Days Grace.

For the latest Hedley news, hit http://www.hedleyonline.com/.

Metric:

Metric's Emily Haines (vocals/synths), Jimmy Shaw (guitar), Josh Winstead (bass) and Joules Scott-Key (drums), the most exciting thing is being able to play for both sides. Over the course of 2004-05, Metric were everywhere, from MTV and commercial rock radio to French art-house cinemas (the band made a show-stopping cameo in Oliver Assayas' 2004 junkie drama CLEAN); depending on the night, you could find Emily playing sombre solo piano shows in churches, or diving off the stage at Toronto's Mod Club Theatre, where Metric played an unprecedented four sold-out nights in a row in January '05. This is a band comfortable making music for both the misfits as the masses.

Crash Parallel:

Crash Parallel is a alternative band from Toronto who have been compared to Lifehouse, Counting Crows, the Fray, Coldplay, and David Gray. Their debut album, World We Know, was released May 6, 2008 and includes the first single and title track, "World We Know" which is rapidly climbing the charts. The band became a five-piece when they were joined by Rob Bezanson shortly after it was announced that the band had signed a deal with Sony BMG Music Canada.

Papa String:

Papa String will grab you from the first downbeat with its upbeat, familiar tunes and force you to throw your hands up in the air and get down with your funky self. Drummer/vocalist Craig Jeans and guitarist/vocalist Jason Hobbs were the catalysts behind getting Papa String off the ground. Originally starting out as a blues band, the group began to incorporate more funk and classic rock into its set list around the same time bassist Sam Mehaney came into the fold in the fall of 2006. Rounding out the foursome is lead vocalist Alison O¹Keefe, who joined the group in 2007.

Trailer Park Boys:

The Trailer Park Boys will be making their first visit to the Salmon Festival and will host the concert. The show was a great success for the cable network Showcase, where it was the network's highest-rated Canadian series. The show's lead trio formerly toured with Our Lady Peace, and with Guns N' Roses. The Trailer Park Boys have also appeared in music videos with The Tragically Hip, while Bubbles has appeared with George Canyon and Snow, and they have been presenters at numerous award shows - always in character.

Chairperson Courtney is quoted as saying that “Concert goers will be very pleased with Hedley, Crash Parallel, Metric and Papa String. It doesn’t stop there. They will be joined by the famous, the great, the outrageous Trailer Park Boys.”

Early Bird tickets start at $49.50 and go on sale this Saturday (May 31) until June 29. Advance Tickets go on sale June 30 for $54.50. Credit card sales and camping information may be accessed by calling toll free at 1-877-julyroc (585-9762) Tickets may also be purchased at selected Irving outlets on the island. Get them while you can. Bubbles can’t wait to party with you guys.

Details on other Salmon Festival events will be announced in the coming weeks.

This year’s Exploits Valley Salmon Festival runs from July 17-21. For more information on the festival, log on to www.salmonfestival.com