Old Country

As part of Canada's 150th celebration, there have also been several municipal initiatives. In Toronto, one of the organized events was a free musical series called Toronto 150. Spread out over 6 shows at different venues, each highlighted a genre of music with local talents past and present.

On Wednesday at The Horseshoe, it was the country music scene on Queen St. W. Given the many clubs along this street over the decades, many bands have played here. But with The Horseshoe, The Cameron House, and other now-defunct bars, there was a country vibe in the early days. Tonight, some old performers and a new one will take to the stage.

I missed opener Johnny and the G-Rays. Lori Yates and Hey Stella was setting up when I arrived. This country singer has aged better than most of the crowd who were also here back in the 80s. She had a powerful voice and her set was a mix of old and contemporary country. With the death of Gord Downie (Tragically Hip) just yesterday, Yates did a sing-along cover of Bobcaygeon.

If Johnny and Lori represented Queen St. W. back in the day, then head-liner Whitney Rose was a showcase of Queen St. now. This is a slight stretch. Rose did cut her teeth playing here especially her weekly gig at The Cameron House. But she has been living in Nashville and Texas for several years now. Oddly enough, although young both in age and career, Rose's music sounds the oldest, reaching back for the sound of Hank Williams Jr and Tammy Wynette. Tonight she did several songs from her new album Rule 62 as well as some of her older material. Given her fairly extensive repertoire (3 albums and 1 EP), it was odd that she still sings cover songs. I could have done without Harper Valley PTA. On the other hand, as an explicit acknowledgement of the MeToo movement, You Don't Own Me packed a punch.