Packed lineup for Summer Jam
By Kendall King on July 19, 2022.
Audrey 3, seen here performing at Summer Jam in 2021, is one of many groups to be taking the stage at this year’s event next Monday. -- NEWS FILELocal Journalism Initiative Reporter
Local talent is taking centre stage during Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede’s Summer Jam on July 25.
The show, which kicks off at 7 p.m. — preshow at 6:30 p.m. — at the grandstand, features southeast Alberta-based acts Mahoney and Friends, Willow Creek, Brodie, Audrey 3, Three Hole Punch and Reese Klaiber, with Broad Band headlining.
While country music remains at the heart of Summer Jam, organizers say the show has something for everyone.
“That’s the thing about Summer Jam, we have young kids, like six or seven-year-olds, all the way up to 70 and 80-year-olds; so, there’s a huge age group we have to try to cater to which can be fairly challenging,” Ryan Massini, event co-ordinator, co-host and musician, told the News. “We tried to keep it about 40 per cent country (music) but we do try to mix it up every year… to keep it fresh.”
Massini, one-half of Medicine Hat-based duo Mahoney, has been involved in Summer Jam since it first began. Over the years, he says he’s seen the crowd grow and is glad Hatters are showing support for local musicians.
“The reaction has always been overwhelmingly positive,” said Massini. “It’s really fun getting together with all these other local musicians, spending time together and doing the show.”
Massini is excited to share the stage with fellow musicians and welcome the many newcomers to Summer Jam.
“Broad Band are newer to on the scene and there’s so much buzz about them,” said Massini. “Usually we have bands which have been around for years headline, but because they have so much buzz and we know so many of the musicians in the group we thought, ‘let’s give them a shot.’”
Abigail Johnson, Broad Band pianist and vocalist, says the group, which just passed its one-year anniversary, is honoured to take part in the show.
“We put a lot of effort into to being a good band – especially being five girls,” said Johnson. “And for us to be the headliner is just awesome. It shows our hard work paid off. So, we’re all pretty pumped to play it.”
Johnson and her band mates, lead singer Danita Grace, drummer Rena Lemarellec, guitarist and vocalist Karli Colter, and bassist Lisa Minklash, will be performing cover songs from a range of genres.
“We play everything,” Johnson laughed. “We go through blues, dance, pop (but) it’s very popular music which will get you dancing for sure… We want everybody there to have an incredibly good time, to drink as much as they can and dance the whole night.”
Baylie Grunewald, lead singer of Brodie, another band new to Summer Jam, says she’s excited to see the audience reaction.
“I love it when I see people clapping and singing along,” Grunewald said. “We definitely want (to put on a show) where people can feel like they can join in.”
Comprised of current and recently graduated Medicine Hat High School students, Brodie is another relatively new group, and youngest participating in this year’s Summer Jam.
“It’s very crazy considering we are such a small band and how young the majority of our band members are,” she said.
As well as Grunewald, the band includes drummer Adam Suelzle, singer Jayda Grunewald, guitarist Lukas Wihnan, bassist Mahki Gervais, and keyboardist, guitarist and vocalist Natalie Roberts.
Grunewald says she hopes all attendees enjoy the songs they’ve lined up to cover, particularly other young and aspiring musicians.
“That would be amazing to inspire others to pursue their own dreams,” she said.
Summer Jam tickets are $10 per person. For more information contact Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede.
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