Music

This August, Vancouver is in for a treat as the two-time Grammy Award nominee and multi-plantium singer-songwriter, Chris Isassk, comes to perform at the River Rock Show Theatre, part of his upcoming North American tour.

Chris began his career hot out of college when he released his first album in 1985, and then his second album, Silver Stone. After releasing his third album, Heart Shaped World, in 1989, his single, “Wicked Game” become a top 10 hit, selling over a million copies.

Throughout the 1990’s, Chris released four more albums. In 2011, Chris released Boyond the Sun, a tribute to the influential sounds of Sun Records and the artists who helped shape the Rock and Roll industry.

Chris has also played roles on the silver screen including appearances in Married to the Mob, The Silence of the Lambs, and That Thing You Do!. He also appeared in his own sitcom show, The Chris Isaak Show, which aired for three seasons on Showtime.

Tickets for the Friday, May 23, 2013 performance are now on sale through Ticketmaster Outlets or by charging by phone at  1-855-985-5000. Doors open at 7:00pm, show starts at 8:00pm. Tickets start at $69.50 per person plus service charges.

Since Billboard Magazine featured singer, songwriter, and actor, Levi Kreis as one of the top three fan-funded artists in their annual DIY issue in 2011, the talented musician has been hard at work perfecting his latest album, Imagine Paradise.

Levi’s latest album, Imagine Paradise, set to release on June 20, 2013, is filled with passion and expression from his personal experiences of sexuality and relationships, infused with R&B and dance music beats. Combined, it’s a firestorm of rhythms and soulful lyrics that come right from the heart.

“I had a brilliant opportunity of sitting on the phone with some of my dearest fans, hearing them convey to me the things that were on their heart and mind,” said Levi as he described how each song was inspired and customized thanks in part to the generous backers of the kick-starter funded album. “I then gave my best effort to answer them with a positive uplifting theme song. I’ve never done anything harder, and I’ve never done anything more rewarding. You realize how we are all the same when you invite other peoples life story to be your creative muse. I discovered that our lives may look different, but core human emotions bind us together in a way that is truly profound.

The result is a patch-work of Levi’s personal experiences and those of the funders stories. Inspire Paradise will be Levi’s sixth album release. He has had several songs featured on major network television shows including The Vampire Diaries, Sons of Anarchy, and The Apprentice, and has appeared on The View, David Letterman, and Late Night With Jimmy Fallon.

It’s been 75 years since the Glenn Miller Orchestra was founded, and for one special night, they will make a stop in Vancouver, BC, at the Orpheum Theatre to perform the unforgettable classics. The world tour will include the timeless favourites including In the Mood, Moonlight Serenade, Chattanooga Choo Choo, Pennsylvania 6-5000, String of Pearls and Tuxedo Junction.

The two-hour performance of the greatest hits will be held on Saturday, July 6, 2013. The show will be performed by 20 musicians and singers, that will bring to life memories from the swing era of the 1930’s and 40’s. The show has been produced by Didier Morissonneau and is lead by Nick Hilsher.

Tickets are on sale now at www.ticketmaster.ca or by calling 1-855-985-5000.

Peter Noone started his life in entertainment as a child star named ‘Stanley Fairclough’ on the hit British soap opera, Coronation Street. By the time he reached the age of 15, in 1963, he reached international fame as ‘Herman’, as the lead singer of the now legendary pop band, Herman’s Hermits.

Over the years the group released several hits including, Mrs. Brown You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter, I’m Henry VIII, I Am, and Danny. The group released 14 singles, and seven of their albums hit Gold.

Not a stranger to the entertainment industry, Noone went on to perform in three movies, including, When The Boys Meet the Girls, and appeared on Broadway in The Pirates of Penzance. Over the years Noone was regularily featured on the covers of well-regarded publications including TIME Magazine, and made appearances on popular television showing such as The Ed Sullivan Show and The Dean Martin Show.

Today, Noone and his bad, Herman’s Hermits, perform over 200 concerns each year. On Saturday, October 5, they will be performing at the Red Robinson Show Theatre at Boulevard Casino in Coquitlam. Tickets for the show go on sale on Thursday, April 11 at 10:00am. Tickets start at $29.50 for mezzanine, $34.50 for orchestra, and $44.50 for the golden circle (plus applicable service charges).

Tickets are available at Ticketmaster outlets, online, or by phone at 1-855-985-5000.

Who will be more excited to see the most successful ABBA tribute show to tour internationally, performing at the River Rock Casino Resort on Sunday, May 12, the mom’s celebrating Mothers Day, or the gay’s who love classic disco music from Sweden’s biggest music group?

Although ABBA disbanded over 30 years ago, the group continues to lure fans from around the world, young and old, straight and gay. Everyone loves their fun-loving, sing-along songs.

The Music of ABBA features Arrival From Sweden. Founded in 1995 in Gothenburg, Sweden, the 12-piece band has toured over 35 countries, and is the only tribute group in the world to be granted exclusive rights to the ABBA name, costumes, and original music.

It’s sure to be an evening of fun and song, with performances of the classic hits including “Dancing Queen”, “Waterloo”, Mamma Mia”, “Fernando”, and “Knowing Me, Knowing You”.

Tickets are on sale now and start at just $29.50 (plus service charges). Charge by phone 1-855-985-5000 or buy online.

After saying goodbye to Los Angeles in 2012 and heading to Chicago, openly gay music singer, songwriter, and actor, Levi Kreis, was on a new path and excited for his future.

“My partner, his family, and the people I’ve come to know in Chicago enrich my life in a very authentic way,” Levi reflected on his move from California. “Resolving the years in L.A. and taking a huge risk into the unknown was right for me. It feels light to me.”

In February 2013, Levi released his latest single, So Much Better, with Vision 9 Records and UK label Enriched Records, followed by a mini-solo tour  promoting his latest works.

“I release my sixth album on June 20 call Imagine Paradise,” said Levi, explaining what he has in store for the rest of 2013. “In between all the hustle to promote new media, I’ll keep throwing myself out there for new acting roles.”

Recently Levi has shifted his outlook on life, releasing this fear of control.

“I feel more peace when I trust that something greater than myself is capable of guiding me to my most fulfilling life,” said the very religious songer. “I don’t know what that is, but I’m willing to sit in the question.”

Although deeply moved by spiritual powers, Levi looks inward on himself as his inspiration to continue to grow.

“I’m inspired in those moments where I feel the most distance from the opinions of others,” says Levi. “So much of my past has been controlled by an addiction to people pleasing. It has made my art impure and uninteresting at times, thinking if I did it like this, it would bring me approval by others. In those brief moments of self-empowerment, when my self-expression is untainted by the need for approval, those are the moments that inspire me the most. They grow me, because I then see pieces of me that I might not have seen before.”

It has taken Levi many years to scratch the surface of self-discovery, to put trust in others, and to abstain from what he and others would consider the evils of addiction, he leaves these words of advice for other artists…

“Happiness is not found in the attainment of some idolized accomplishment. It’s a choice. Right where you are. It’s within you, not without you.  Choose to be happy now. Chase nothing.”

From Tim McGraw to Lady Antebellum, Bruno Mars to Jake Owen, the 2013 Houston Rodeo had a full line-up of concerts featuring a wide-range of fantastic acts. On Thursday, March 14, Pitbull hit the stage in front of over 144,000 fans at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas; the fourth busiest night of the 2013 rodeo.

The hip-hop artist was delivered to the stage in a black SUV and immediately had the crowd excited for the show. Performing hit-after-hit, the entire concert was electric. Pitbull thanked Houston and Texas many times for their support, pleasing the crowd.

While the concert performance was fantastic, someone really needs to give Pitbull some new dance moves and help him out with his clothing options – at every live concert he only has three hip-shaking moves, and he only wears a black suit with a black shirt and sunglasses. Really? Come on.

The stage, which spun a full 365 degrees, was assembled in the centre of the stadium and featured eight massive screens. From the lighting to the fireworks, the show was visually impressive. The sound quality was very good for such a large stadium; concert goers were moving and shaking throughout the one-and-a-half hour long performance.

Tickets for the full evening of events, which included singing of the national anthem, professional rodeo events, kids rodeo event, and the Pitbull concert ranged from $18-$300.

First introduced to the dance scene in 1998 after moving to San Francisco, DJ Pornstar quickly became obsessed with becoming a DJ.

“I started DJing at house parties, clubs and raves, and by 1999 I was playing Castro Street Fair, the Halloween Block Party and San Francisco Pride stages,” said DJ Pornstar as he described how his career started to get off the ground.

The freestyle DJ blends tribal house and tech house with sprinkles of pop vocals.

“I’m inspired by South American producers and remixes from the UK,” explained DJ Pornstar. “I love funky fresh beat. If it’s too commercial, I won’t play it. I leave the fluffy stuff to the local bar DJ.

This is what separates the big name DJ’s from the amateurs. They push their creativity to the limit, seeking new ways to blend beats that have powerful movement and engage the crowds.

“Becoming known as a producer and an international DJ,” is what DJ Pornstar says his biggest personal achievements are today. “I performed in four continents and six countries within a matter of months, building a fan-base, and returning to several cities. I couldn’t ask for more.”

While DJ Pornstar has mixed some amazing songs over the years, his recent remix of Skyfall by Adel is his personal favourite track to date. He has plans to launch many more track throughout 2013.

“The moments that stand out the most are when someone comes up to me at the airport or at a random restaurant in a random city and asks me if I’m DJ Pornstar,” he laughed. “It’s interesting and inspiring to be recognized not only for my music, but for my persona.”

You can catch DJ Pornstar at a number of places throughout 2013 including:

• Share Night Club – Residency – Pornstars in Vegas (Las Vegas, NV)
• Gay Ski Week – Tom Whitman Presents (Mammoth Mountain, CA)
• Super Club (Dallas, TX)
• Jeffery Sanker Presents – Residency – FRESH (West Hollywood, CA)
• Liberace – TFD Presents – Celebrities Night Club (Vancouver, BC)
• Jeffrey Sanker Presents – White Party (Palm Springs, CA)
• Romain Presents – Booster – London Pride (London, UK)
• Flex Presents – Cleveland Pride (Cleveland, OH)
• Club Electro LuLu (Columbia)

It’s been almost 20 years since the British electronic rock band, MUSE, was first introduced to the music scene. High school buddies, Matthew Bellamy, Christopher Wolstenholme, and Dominic Howard, joined forces and their passion for progressive, alternative rock.

MUSE performed at Rogers Arena on Wednesday, February 6, 2013, as the final show on their 2^ND LAW North American Tour, western tour. They are on a quick trip back to the UK for one show, before returning back to North America for the second leg of their tour along the east coast and southern states.

Well known for outstanding concerts, the 2^ND LAW tour is a lighting, video, and audio spectacle. From a spaceship looking stage with screens all the way down to the floor, to a giant four-tier, multi-dynamic pyramid video and graphic projected screen system overhead; the show is full of colour and motion.

Throughout the almost two-hour set, the trio belted out a range of music from their six albums spanning from 1991-2012, including Survival, the official song of the London 2012 Olympic Summer Games.

In 2005, singer and songwriter, Levi Kreis, released his debut album, One Of These Ones. The openly gay musician wrote the collection of piano and vocal ballads based on guys he had made one-on-one encounters with, dated, deeply loved, and even a girl.

Openly gay musicians struggle to get recognized and picked up my major recording labels. It take a lot of time and determination for an artist to find success.

“I turned to my community after eight major record labels failed me,” Levi stated. “My community was the only audience I had, and some of them listened.”

In his second album, The Gospel According To Levi, gave Levi the opportunity to refocus and candidly tackle the issues around religion and sexuality.

“I wrote about my six years of reparative therapy to become straight, my redefining of God as an all-inclusive Love, and acceptance on self,” Levi explained as he described the journey of his life. “By my fourth album, Where I Belong, enough of my community was supporting my music that I was able to pour myself 100% in without a second job.”

Levi’s hard work paid off and whisked him off to Broadway. After seeing him perform on the big stage in New York and learning his story of his journey over the last seven years, success has been earned.

“I think the most fascinating things is to find songs that I’ve written for other guys used as theme songs for TV couples,” Levi said. “I Should Go, is a great example, written for a straight guy I had a painful crush on was used as a Damon and Elena’s theme song on the Season 2 finale of The Vampire Diaries, and Austin and Carrie’s reuniting theme song on Days of Our Lives.

There’s nothing more rewarding to Levi other than when he finds out that people learn about his music from their favourite TV moment and are shocked to find out the songs are written from a completely alternative perspective.

Levi Kreis is a Tony award winning actor, singer and song-writer who now lives in Chicago.

It’s bursting with energy, excitement and flare! This week, Vancouver dance/pop singer, songwriter and dancer, Tyrell Witherspoon is set to launch is sophomore EP, Scorpio.

“I am a Scorpio myself through and through,” Tyrell said as he explained how the EP was named after a reflection of what the album meant to him. “We’re a passionate and driven bunch and I think that this album reflects that not only in its creation process but in the lyrics as well.”

The eight brand-new tracks are inspired by hook-ups, break-ups, long distance relationships, and staying true to who you are regardless of the obstacles.

“When you pursue something really hard, you’re going to have more than a few people who are going to try and knock you down,” explained Tyrell. “The track ‘One’ is all about that personal struggle and I wrote it as a chance to vent a little about how I was feeling.”

The EP was a collaboration with up-and-coming Vancouver producer, Nick Bertossi. Funding for the new EP was made possible with the help of the crowd funding website, Pledge Music.

“I am so thankful for everyone who pledged to help make this a reality for me,” Tyrell said expressing his appreciation for the support. “It was amazing to have friends, family and fans involved in the process. I got to share with them the progress along the way which a lot of people may not know.”

To celebrate the release of the new EP, Tyrell will perform six of the tracks from the new album at the Electric Owl Social Club on Thursday, January 17, 2013. Doors open at 8:00pm. Tickets are $10.

“I can’t wait for people to hear this album,” says Tyrell. “I am so proud of the result.”

As an openly gay artist, Tyrell hopes his success will help inspire other LGBT artists.

“Yes I am openly gay but that doesn’t mean my music shouldn’t have a universal appeal,” explained Tyrell. “We all love, we all hurt. It’s all the same. I really want to make sure this album leaps over that sometimes harsh line LGBT artists can fall behind. I want to break down doors like Adam Lambert, Frank Ocean and Jake Shears did.

Scorpio is Tyrell’s second album; his first album, Just Dance With Me, debuted in 2011.

Scorpio can be heard on SoundCloud or downloaded on iTunes.

This past summer Joe Jonas came to Vancouver to perform at the Summer Playland Festival at Playland / PNE. The 45 minute set was a shot stopper for many Jonas Brother fans who were able to get within just a few feet of the outdoor stage.

R&B and dance singer/songwriter, Wynter Gordon, has been gracing the music industry with her powerful lyrics for years. Although she has only just recently began producing her own songs and going on tour, she’s been at it for many years.

“I had a gift,” explained 27 year-old Wynter as she described how she got started into her music career. “I knew I had to do something bigger. There wasn’t any one thing that really stood out. The only thing I wanted to do was to make music.”

Prior to starting her own singing career, Wynter took her creative songwriting talents to some of the biggest names in the music industry, including Flo Rider, David Guetta, Mary J. Blige, and Jennifer Lopez.

As she developed her own love and deeper emotion for her music, Wynter put her solo career in high gear and released her debut album, With the Music I Die in 2011, featuring her three-time platinum (Australia) single, Dirty Talk.

In June 2012, Wynter released Stimela, the first song from a collection of four EP’s under the title, Human Condition.

“There are three more installments of the Human Conditions,” Wynter explained. “There are four parts per installment, and then the entire album will be released in early 2013.”

The second EP will be titled Human Condition: Sanguine.

“I hope to just be playing all over the world and reaching people,” said Wynter as she described what where she hopes to take her career over the next five years. “I want people surrounding me, who love me. I want to be as happy with myself as I am now.”

There’s a lot to come from Wynter in the coming months. Keep at watch out for updates!

*Photos taken at Northalstad Market Days Festival in Chicago, IL, August 2012.

Canadian based singer, songwriter, actor and dancer, Tyrell Witherspoon, has quickly become one of the fastest growing independent, openly gay recording artists in British Columbia. Since the release of his first single two years ago, Tyrell has travelled across Canada performing for thousands of people at a variety of festivals, Pride events, and at some of the hottest clubs.

Over the next two months, Tyrell will be working on the next part of his journey, expanding his music career through the help of his current and future fans.

“I have launched my first Pledge Music Campaign to raise money to help produce my new EP, Scorpio, which I would like to release this January,” Tyrell explained. “I’m looking to raise $3,000 to afford studio costs and production.”

As an independent recording artist, there are a lot of costs that go into producing an EP. Funds raised will be used to pay for studio sessions for vocal recordings, hire an engineer and producer to create the album’s overall sound, and to promote the album once it’s released to generate both awareness and sales.

“Twenty-five per cent of any dollars raised above and beyond my target will help benefit Out in Schools,” Tyrell said as he described how the organization helps combat bullying in public schools across British Columbia. “They truly do some amazing work that I absolutely stand behind and believe in.”

If you would like to make a contribution to the creation of Scorpio, you can make a pledge on Tyrell’s Pledge Music Campaign page. Each pledge comes with a  special thank you reward from Tyrell.

Gabe showing off his abs and Calvin Klein underwear during his performance at the Summer Playland Festival in Vancouver.

Lead singer for Cobra Starship, Gabriel Saporta, has enjoyed a very exciting and fast paced music career. He was the creative energy for the formation of the synthpop band, which has put out four albums since they formed in 2003.

Cobra Starship is made up of five members, including Gabe (lead vocals). The other band members are Ryland Blackinton (guitar), Victoria Asher  (keytarist), Nate Novarro (drummer), and Alex Suarez (bass).

The New York based band has released four albums and is currently signed to record label Decaydance.

• While the City Sleeps, We Rule the Streets (2006–2007)
• ¡Viva La Cobra! (2007–2008)
• Hot Mess (2009–2010)
• Night Shades (2011–present)

Prior to founding Cobra Starship, Gabriel was the bass player and lead vocalist for the dance-punk band, Midtown. Gabe was born in Uraguay on October 11, 1979 and moved to New York when he was four years old. Gabe is a vegetarian, an active PETA member, and is currently dating fashion designer, Erin Fetherston.

In 2011, Gabe and the rest of the Cobra Starship band appeared on Season 4, Episode 5 of 90210, ‘Rock the Vote’,  and performed their new song, #1night.

Gabe also made an appearance on Season 5, Episode 24 of his favourite TV show, Gossip Girl, where he played a drug-addict named Zeke.

*Photos taken at the Summer Playland Festival in Vancouver, BC, July 2012. 

“Legs” and “What a voice” were the two most commonly said things about the recent Carrie Underwood concert at Rogers Arena in Vancouver.

Song after song, Carrie belted out ballads and her bit hits. Her voice perfectly in tune and on key as if she was recording each song in a studio, destined for final mixing. Each note she sang was clear and confident. Her stage presence, almost flawless.

Just as she can carry on a tune forever, her legs go on just as long! Carrie’s legs were the show-stopper in each of her dazzling outfits. She wore it all, including flashy skin tight metallic blue pants, a spectacular layered blue, purple and white short dress, a black dress with a slit that went all the way up to her hip, and a feather-inspired skirt with black high heels. Her wardrobe screamed fashionista!

The stage production wasn’t over the top like other concerts, however she won approval with the crowd as her floating plexiglass stage gracefully floated across the arena, brining the songstress close to her fans.

The most awkward moment of the entire evening was her duet with Brad Paisley. Paisley, who was not on the tour, he pre-recorded his portion of the duet Remind Me and Carrie sang along with him as it displayed on the LCD screen flanking the stage.

Opening for Carrie was Hunter Hayes, who later joined her on stage during her show to perform a duet. It was a huge surprise for all the country fans, which was clearly enjoyed by everyone.

Decked out in a black T-shirt, Diesel jeans, studded belt and a pair of leather wristbands, Jordan Knight strutted on stage at Venue Nightclub in Vancouver on Saturday, October 20, 2012, to a crowd of adoring fans.

For almost three decades, pop singer, Jordan Knight, has been gracing stages around the world; his biggest success coming from his days with his past boy band, New Kids on the Block. These days Jordan is on tour promoting his solo career. His most recent tour just wrapped up this past week in Western Canada.

Jordan has a strong stage presence reminiscent of his past pop-star days. He still performs and acts just like when he was on stage when he was at the peak of his career, only now at a much slower pace.

It was unclear what filled the room more, the chardonnay drinking cougars that couldn’t get enough of the aging boy-band singer, or Jordan’s huge ego as he posed on stage between songs, commanding attention. Either way, it was entertaining to be a part of the frenzy with his obsessive fans.

Making full use of the stage and engaging his fans throughout the performance, he knew all the tricks to getting the crowds attention. When he walked out on stage in a tank top, it was evident he is a regular at the gym and spends a lot of time focusing on his upper body. Just by looking at his silhouette, you could easily see he was hiding a six-pack underneath his shirt. It didn’t seem to matter to the women in the crowd either because they still screamed for him to take it off. To everyone’s dismay, he did not entertain their request; instead he just smiled and winked.

One of the Jordan Knight back-up dancers wore a pair of well-worn Calvin Klein underwear.

The back-up dancers, who were old enough to have been Jordan’s original back-up dancers when he first started his pop career, were as predictable and as cookie-cutter as could be expected. Like Jordan, they were moving at a much slower pace as they tried to keep up with the music. They had all the classic back-up dancer moves down as their carefully choreographed performance moved to the music.

Now in his early 40’s, Jordan Knight needs to admit his boy band days are over and realize it’s time for him to evolve his career and embrace the image as a talented middle-aged pop singer.

Jordan’s voice continues to be strong and powerful. If he plays his cards right, he could easily sustain a long and successful music career, pumping out new songs to hit the music charts.

Carole Pope is no stranger to the music scene. For four decades she’s been pumping out the hits, shocking the world with her avant-guard style and vocalizing her political opinions. Most importantly, Carole recognizes that the way musicians do business today has dramatically changed since she started her career.

“It’s a nightmare trying to get out there,” Carole said, describing her challenges as a solo artist. “Not everyone is out there [on the internet]. People who are under 18, who are older, or love retro music just aren’t online. It’s so time consuming.”

While today’s up-and-coming artists struggle with being found, many use social media to try to gain traction for their music. Sites like YouTube, Facebook Twitter and mySpace are all being used.

“That’s the good thing about the Internet, you can reach world-wide,” Carole said, explaining how she’s leveraging social media to promote her new work. “You can be on iTunes too. Everything is just out there.”

But Carole also quickly notes, as good as the technology is, it also has its downfalls.

“Anyone can make a video,” Carole said in disgust. “They aren’t good. That’s annoying. The internet is a great way to get your music out, most people can’t perform live.”

While Carole has a long history of being a rock star, she finds traditional media, like radio, doesn’t play her music. She’s found it to be extremely frustrating and limiting. Instead, she’s turned to social media to get her music out.

“I have a PR person, but I still go on,” Carole said as she described her love / hate relationship with social media. “I like Twitter. It’s like a little sound byte. But I need to find more time to get on stuff like Facebook.”

Even experienced artists struggle with getting their music heard. It takes a lot of time and dedication.

“I have a duet with Rufus Wainwright that people don’t even know about!” Carole said.

Carole leaves these words of advice for upcoming LGBT artists, “Perform at Prides. Many will try to stuff LGBT artists, but play wherever you can. Be true to yourself as an artist. It’s very competitive.”

Photo contributed.

She’s a legendary Canadian rock icon. Carole Pope (born in Manchester, England). She’s best known for her avant-guard music, fierce attitude, and for her success as a lesbian performer.

“I was a closeted performer,” explained Carole Pope, as she described the beginning of her music career. “I wanted to be a rock star!”

Driven by politics, creative energy, theatre, and art, Carole’s band, Rough Trade, made a big impact on the music industry.

“With Rough Trade, we didn’t care about others opinions,” Carole explained. “We wrote what made us happy. We liked anything that was shocking and titillating. S&M and the leather-daddy thing was very exciting to me.”

As Carole’s popularity rose, and she continued to creatively express her feelings, the Canadian born singer-songwriter found it difficult to come out as a lesbian singer.

“It was hard to come out,” Carole explained. “There was no lesbian bar. Life and art just got smashed together. I came out on stage. I wore a bondage suit. I just started making out with chicks. I didn’t come out being a dyke; it just happened.”

Carole especially enjoyed her years with Rough Trade; however, she does have regrets, especially around not having found a good manager.

“I was shocked by our success,” Carole said as she recalled the fun times she had with her band. “We gigged for years.

Her most memorable moment was when she was playing in New York.

“I remember the first time we started working in New York and Lou Reed showed up with his tranny lover,” Carole said with a giant smirk. “I often thought about the audience that would show up. And the celebrities. I would think, ‘What are they doing here?’”

After years of success with Rough Trade came to a close, Carole branched out and started her own solo career.

“I don’t have anyone to answer to,” Carole said point blank. “I have nothing to prove now. I love performing. People dig it. I mouth off. It’s so much fun. Performing really is my strong suit.

Recently, Carole has been focused on promoting her latest album on a cross-Canada tour, with the highlight being Elton John’s fashion show launch in Toronto, Ontario. She’s continues to work on a new video, and this fall she can be found in both New York and LA as she continues to build her solo career profile.

It’s been almost three decades since Diamond Rio first got together in Nashville, Tennessee, and today, the original six musicians who founded the group are still together, making and performing country music.

The American country music group is well-known for their country rock style, with influences of traditional bluegrass. In their early days their songs were very traditional country-music themes, however, their more recent work is considered to be more pop-ballads. Consistently their music has had themes of religion.

Their first single, released in 1991 by Arista Records, Meet in the Middle, reached number one on the country music charts. Over the years they have earned 32 additional chart singles, including four number one hits, How Your Love Makes Me Feel (1997), One More Day (2001), Beautiful Mess (2002), and I Believe (2003).

To date, Diamond Rio has collected 13 Grammy Award nominations, two Top Vocal awards, four Group of the Year awards and three nominations for the GMA Dove Awards. In 2011 the group received their first Grammy Wards for Best Southern, Country of Bluegrass Gospel Album for The Reason.