Troubadour Festival a massive success in Downtown Barrie

The first edition of the Troubadour Festival in Barrie with headliner Dean Brody.

Thousands of fans filled Meridian Place to sing along with Dean Brody at the Troubadour Festival, a crowd never yet seen at the outdoor amphitheater.

Country fans from around the region sang and danced the night away with local musicians from the local country showcase contest.

Three local artists had the chance to play at Meridian Place, building momentum for Dean Brody at the end of the night.

Lance Dobinson, from Wasaga Beach, was the first artist on the stage for the free concert and said it was a dream come true.

“Just a bonus to be on stage and doing what you enjoy doing,” said Dobinson. “But a bonus as well to be opening up for Dean Brody, it doesn’t get much better than that.”

Next, Rebekah Hawker serenaded the crowds with her signing and songwriting abilities. Her music influenced from growing up in Oro-Medonte.

She said the support and energy from the crowd was inspiring.

“Sometimes it can be really scary playing in front of new people you don’t know, and I felt like the whole time, everyone was just ready to cheer for me and ready to, be there to support me,” said Hawker. “So that felt amazing.”

Hawker added she’s thankful for the local artist showcase and the Troubadour Festival for supporting up and coming artists.

“It can change the course of someone’s life, and it absolutely enriches our community,” said Hawker. “It gives other people a way to access their emotions through other people’s writing.”

Country artist Cam Brown finishing off the local showcase with popular cover songs, as well as originals.

He said as an artist, the Troubadour Festival has been a premium experience for an artist like himself.

“I come by Meridian (Place) all the time, and just to see how it’s been transformed, and I got the green room here everybody’s been so welcoming,” said Brown. “Everyone’s all in support of the same goal, just, an amazing community event.”

He added playing at the festival a humbling experience.

“I’m scanning across the crowd, there’s people I know, some friends and family, people who just showed and it’s just it’s very humbling knowing that all the hard work you put in,” said Brown. “People come down, enjoy some music on a Saturday night and support you. It’s an incredible feeling.”

Country music star Dean Brody took the stage around 8:30 p.m. finishing the night off with some of his country song hits.

The 49-year-old Canadian has sold out stadiums across the country, but said his career started by his local community supporting his music.

“I just remember when I was young and I was just starting out and it was a dream, and it’s like, man, I’d love to get in front of some people,” said Brody. “It’s tough. It’s tough to get in front of a bunch of people that don’t know your songs and you have to start somewhere.”

He added he remembers when he first heard his music on the radio and the feelings that came with it.

“I remember when my local station played my stuff for the first time and I was over the moon,” said Brody. “It was just such an amazing, accomplishment and radio’s magic, I don’t think it will ever stop being magic.”

In case you missed the first edition of the Troubadour Festival, there are still 3 more summer concerts scheduled to take place this summer.

Saturday July 26, The 99s will rock Meridian Place, August 16, Hawksley Workman will take the stage, and on September 6, Brett Kissel will finish off the summer concert series.