James Barker Band hits the stage at Country Thunder Alberta Saturday night

James Barker speaks with Ian White about the James Barker Band’s upcoming performance at Country Thunder Alberta.

Part of the pleasure of Country Thunder for the James Barker Band will be hanging out with fellow artists.

“We’re musicians and country music artists but we are country music fans first. So, when we have the opportunity to go to these things and then get there early and stay late to watch some of the artists’ sets and get to hang out, we love to do that,” Barker told CTV News.

Barker and his band take the stage at the festival late Saturday afternoon, opening for Bailey Zimmerman and Jake Owen.

This fall the James Barker Band will release a new album, hot on the heels of their sixth number one Canadian Country hit – You Didn’t Hear It From Me.

Barker, guitarist Taylor Abram, drummer Connor Stephen and bass player Bobby Martin formed the band in Southern Ontario in 2013 and Barker says they remain close, as friends and bandmates.

“It’s almost more than just friendship. It’s like more of a brotherly type of thing where you’re not afraid to say what you need to say.”