July 12, 2021

This week's 'CASUAL COVER MONDAY' is brought to you from a group predominantly from the Ottawa, Ontario area. Brothers Jeff & Cory Papineau live by the saying 'when life hands you lemons, make lemonade.' So much so, that they named their band Lemon Cash.

Lemon Cash started out as a cover band, forming an alternative rock band with some local friends from their hometown. The band had success playing lots of gigs, receiving radio traction, and formed quite a substantial following for only a couple of years of playing together. After 3 years of playing as a five-piece band, the members of Lemon Cash decided to end their days as a rock band and start over as a country band. The inspiration to switch to the country genre came from their parents who introduced Jeff and Cory to country music at a very young age.

'Wine Tonight' is the first single from the forthcoming album. Written by Jeff and Cory and Jeff Diesel (who also produced the single), is an upbeat, hook-driven song, sure to have you singing along, and craving a cold margarita on a tropical beach.

One of the shows you can catch them at this summer is Crooks Rapids Country Fest on September 4th in Hastings, Ontario alongside the River Town Saints, David Boyd Janes, Big City Lights, Leah Daniels, Shawn Austin, JoJo Mason & The Road Hammers! Get your tickets NOW! https://www.crooksrapidscountryfest.com/tickets 

We can't think of a better way to start your week off than with their cover of Chris Stapleton's smash hit 'TENNESSEE WHISKEY'!

Perseverance, talent, hard work, and a whole lotta heart, are qualities that this week's 'CASUAL COVER MONDAY' featured artist Jason Mercer has, that are going to get him where he wants to go in the Canadian country music industry! This London, Ontario artist is not new to music, it’s his passion, he’s been around a while! When others have given up because of their current state & circumstances, he’s taken the opposite approach and has pushed on through.

His hero’s and influencers,  include Blue Rodeo, The Band, The Eagles, Tom Petty for the storytelling, to name a few! You can see hints here and there, of their inspiration in his music, by creating music with meaning. 

We're finally getting to hear Jason live this week at The Moonshine Cafe on Wednesday, July 7th as he is part of In The Country with Dave Woods 'Country Nights In The City' summer patio series. Enjoy his cover of Neil Young's hit 'Hey, Hey, My, My' (Into The Black).

You can check his last single 'Nobody But You' here~ https://open.spotify.com/album/4KgQEX2M9jisQfpKwWFq0h...

Or Follow him here~> https://www.facebook.com/jasonmercermusic
https://www.instagram.com/jasonmercermusic/e.

Today's 'CASUAL COVER MONDAY' feature is from one of the lucky recipients vying for the title of winner of the Sirius XM 'Top Of The Country' contest! Kalsey Kulyk grew up in a family of farmers in Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan. At age 3 she began performing in talent shows across the country and knew from early on that music was all she wanted to do. After being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in high school, Kalsey is now over ten years in remission and strives to make music that makes people “feel something.” 

Winning both the Canadian Country Music Association’s Discovery Artist program, and Anthem Entertainment’s (formerly ole) “On the Spot” competition in one day in 2017 her musical path has since been gaining momentum. Her self-titled debut EP was released in August 2019.

Since then her life has been a whirlwind of success & excitement. In the past few years she married Canadian country music artist Eric Ethridge and they are expecting a baby boy later this year. 

Today is the LAST day for voting in the SiriusXM Canada 'Top Of the Country' contest so get your vote in quick!! https://topcountry.siriusxm.ca/

Last week she released her latest single 'Better Off' available for download here~>https://smarturl.it/Kalsey-BetterOff

Enjoy Kalsey's cover of Taylor Swift's single 'the 1'. Have a great week everyone!

For our 'CASUAL COVER MONDAY' feature this week we came across a cover done 5 years ago from Ontario's own Nicole Rayy. Nicole has been continuously pushing forward the limits of country music in Canada and abroad. And with her unquestionable talent and incredible showmanship – she has gained the attention of music lovers and the Canadian country music industry alike. 

In 2020 she was up for 'Female Vocalist' of the year at the Country Music Association of Ontario Awards and this year she has secured herself a spot as a 'WILD CARD' finalist for the Boots & Hearts Music Festival Emerging Artist showcase. The contest closes Friday June 25th so if you haven't voted you still have time to vote once each day this week! https://bootsandhearts.com/showcase/

We wish her the best of luck! Nicole is going to go far in the Canadian country music industry and she's definitely one to watch! Enjoy her cover of Shawn Mendes hit 'Stitches'.

Born and raised in Innisfil Ontario, Musician ᗷᖇIᗩᑎ ᒍOᕼᑎ ᕼᗩᖇᗯOOᗪ has been making some serious noise as a solo artist. Growing up, Brian was heavily influenced by the early sounds of country music, as well and rock and pop and is fusing together his musical inspiration into his own unique sound. He's garnished great success with several singles out this past year like 'Hotter Than Summer', 'All that I Was Missing', 'Getaway', and his most recent single that pulls at every dog owner's heartstrings called 'Good Boy'. On June 25th he'll be releasing his next single 'Make You Mine' which features Clayton Bellamy from The Road Hammers.

We recently came across a video on Youtube that we knew immediately would make an excellent choice for this week's 'CASUAL COVER MONDAY' feature. In 2020 Brian did a stunning cover of Riley Green's emotional ballad 'I Wish Grandpas Never Died'. We hope you'll take the time to check it out! Have a great week everyone!

This week's 'CASUAL COVER MONDAY' is brought to you from a 3-piece modern country band currently based out of New Brunswick, Canada. No Name Road formed in 2020 from a collection of seasoned musicians who met in a fast-food lunch lineup and who all just couldn't get enough country, family, and music. Their unique brand of entertainment fuses addictive lyrics and diverse musical styles with raw energy and authentic personality that will make you want to get lost in the music.

Lead vocalist Anthony Gray (Canadian Idol) and bassist Daniel Beattie (Eleven Past One - Warner Music Canada) have been friends for well over a decade. Joined by Maksim Osipau (local pop star from Minsk, Belarus) on lead guitar and the guys were all set to take on the world. Currently, the band has released their first single  "Like A Country Song" in March 2021.

Enjoy their cover of Morgan Wallen's song 'Whiskey Glasses'! If you get a chance, check out their new single here ~>  http://smarturl.it/likeacountrysong...

This week's 'CASUAL COVER MONDAY' is brought to you from a 16 year old singer-songwriter from St.John's, Newfoundland. At her young age Paige Penney has already received a Canadian Folk Music Award nomination for "Young Performer of the Year" & two MusicNL Award nominations, "Fan's Choice Entertainer of the Year" and "Pop Artist of the Year" for her Factor funded debut EP "Watch Out For Your Step" recorded in Nashville's Dark Horse Recording Studio! During that trip to Nashville, she also got the opportunity to sing at the iconic The Bluebird Cafe.. such an opportunity for such a young person!

She is a two-time winner of the MusicNL Newfound talent contest and won an Arts and Letters award for her original song "Natural Disaster". Paige's first single and title track "Watch Out For Your Step" features Newfoundland folk trio The Once. Paige's second single "Shooting Star" features a co-write with Alan Doyle and Doyle is also featured in the music video. Paige released a pandemic inspired song, "When All Is Said and Done" in the summer 2020. 

If you're from St. John's NL you can check her out this Friday June 4th as she opens for Justin Fancy at The Bella Vista.

Check out her cover of Tenille Townes hit 'Jersey On the Wall'. We're sure you'll agree that this young lady has a promising career ahead of her! 

 Happy Victoria Day everyone! For this week's 'CASUAL COVER MONDAY' we'd like to showcase a very special 'Victoria' from Canada! Hailing from Muskoka, Ontario, Victoria Banks originally moved to Nashville in 1997 and to date has had an amazing career writing songs for other artists.

This video is from the 2020 Songwriter Session at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, where Victoria performed “What Are You Gonna Tell Her?” — a single she co-wrote with singer Mickey Guyton, included on Guyton's 2020 EP, "Bridges" which Guyton performed - backed by Keith Urban – on the 2020 Academy of Country Music Awards. Guyton made award show history that night as the first Black woman ever to perform an original song.

The track — a frank discussion of women's continued struggle for equity — grew out of a near-decade songwriting relationship between Banks and Guyton, and a recognition of Guyton's own struggles navigating the country music industry. Enjoy the video and story behind how 'What Are You Gonna Tell Her' came to be and enjoy Victoria's beautiful portrayal of the song!

Enjoy the rest of your long weekend folks!!

Today's 'CASUAL COVER MONDAY' recipient is a young gentleman we've had the opportunity to get to know and watch grow over the past couple of years. Evan Farrell is an up-and-coming country music artist who is quickly making a name for himself with his high-energy shows and deep vocal tones. Inspired by the likes of Josh Turner and Scotty McCreery, this young man has an old soul which carries over into his music. 

Born in California but growing up in the small town of Stouffville, Ontario, everybody knows everybody in one way or another, Evan lives the traditional values of country music—when a friend asks for help, you help him, no questions asked.

Already a prolific songwriter at a young age, Evan saw his first single, co-written with Ben Hudson Music, make it to the Top 100 of the 2019 CBC Searchlight Competition out of thousands of entries from across the country. His well-received first single “Out There Somewhere“ was released in early 2021. Enjoy his recent cover of Luke Combs hit 'She Got the Best Of Me'.

 Hoping everyone has a great week as we head into our Victoria Day long weekend!