Entertainment

Headliner Performer Biographies

America Rosa

Friday July 17 – Taste Stage - 9:30pm to 11:00pm
America Rosa began as a 5-piece band under lead singer Sergio Gonzalez in 1991, but as years passed the band evolved into an 11-piece band featuring full percussion, rhythm and horn sections. Specializing in salsa, meringue, cumbia, and Latin jazz, America Rosa has performed at many nightclubs, community events and festivals across western Canada.

 

The Stampeders

Saturday July 18 – Taste Stage - 9:30pm to 11:00pm
Kim Berly, Rich Dodson and Ronnie King make up The Stampeders, one of Canada’s top rock groups in the early 70’s. They have won Juno Awards for Best Group, Best Single, Best Producer and Best Composer for their platinum single “Sweet City Woman”. With 130 reunion concerts under their belt, and a new album called “Sure Beats Working,” fans everywhere are delighted The Stampeders are back!

 

Johnny V’s House Rent Party Band

Sunday July 19 – Taste Stage - 9:30pm to 11:00pm
Over the last 30 years, Johnny V has come to be known for his fire-brand style of blues. His distinctive phrasing and monster guitar tones make the V-man stand out. He has shared the stage with such icons as B.B. King, Otis Rush, Eddy Clearwater and Frankie Lee. World renowned bluesman John Hammond said “Johnny V is a hard working guy who really plays the blues.”

 

One More Girl

Monday July 20 - Taste Stage - 9:30pm to 11:00pm
Britt and Carly McKillip are EMI Music Canada recording artists collectively known as One More Girl. In addition to receiving 2005, 2006 and 2007 Group of the Year nominations from B.C. Country Music Association, the girls took home the prestigious Horizon Award for Best New Artist of 2004. Their first single and video for “I Can Love Anyone” saw immediate success on CMT and country radio stations across Canada.

 

Le Fuzz

Tuesday July 21 – Taste Stage - 9:30pm to 11:00pm
Le Fuzz is a dynamic five-piece band from Edmonton, Alberta that performs music steeped in cultural diversity. Le Fuzz invites you on an energetic and global music journey destined to make you laugh and dance. Their repertoire includes a whirlwind of languages and cultures - French, Spanish, Russian, Mandarin, Hungarian, and Senegalese - leaving listeners spellbound.

 

Hey Romeo

Wednesday July 22 - Taste Stage - 9:30pm to 11:00pm
Stacie Roper (vocals), Rob Shapiro (keyboards) and Darren Gusnowsky (guitarist) are the 2008 Canadian Country Music Association Top New Group of the Year. The dynamic Edmonton, Alberta country trio released its debut single “Wrap These Around You” in 2005 under the humorous band name, Udder Maddness. Sanity prevailed; the name of the band changed to Hey Romeo and has since chalked up more than 700 shows throughout Canada, making them the busiest touring band in the country.

 

Jack Semple

Thursday July 23 - Taste Stage - 9:30pm to 11:00pm
Much Music’s 1992 “Guitar Wars” winner, Jack Semple is one of those rare guitar players who leave a crowd speechless and astonished. He has a set of pipes smooth as silk and as raw and jagged as rocks. Semple has played all across Canada, worked for CBC Radio and TV, won a Juno and shared the stage with a variety of artists, from Martha Reeves, to k.d. lang.

 

Twenty Two Foot Funk

Friday July 24 – Taste Stage - 9:30pm to 11:00pm
What started out as a simple idea between Dan Foreman and Marlana Verhagen (bass & vocals) and Ross Vaneldik and Shane Larmand (guitar & drums), to create a marketable product, quickly got out of hand with the addition of Ross Bulcock as the keyboardist and musical director. Ross takes the blame for the addition of two more vocalists Mark Mercier and Alison Bulcock, as well as the 5 piece horn section: James Dempsey-Baritone Sax; Adam Ostashek -Tenor Sax; Nicole Menzies – Trombone; Tanya Tkachyk – Trumpet; Ryan Lacroix – Trumpet.  In the words of the esteemed director himself - “This style of music can’t be sold any other way but BIG.”

 

Harlequin

Saturday July 25 - Taste Stage - 9:30pm to 11:00pm
2006 Western Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductees, Harlequin is a staple Canadian classic rock band. They began as Canadian circuit band in 1979. Their debut album, Victim Of A Song was produced by Jack Douglas, who'd previously worked with Cheap Trick, Patty Smith, Aerosmith and John Lennon. Harlequin has achieved Canadian Platinum and Gold status on previous releases and has had radio hits with "Innocence," "Thinking Of You," "Superstitious Feeling," and "I Did It For Love”. Harlequin has extensively toured the U.S, South America and Canada.

 

Tom Jackson

Sunday July 26 - Taste Stage - 9:30pm to 11:00pm
Appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2000 for his music and humanitarian work, Tom Jackson is well known to Canadians as an accomplished musician and actor dedicated to helping the less fortunate. Tom has recorded 14 albums, two of which have received Juno nominations. His rich bass baritone is recognized by country music fans and concert goers across the country. He has produced two compilation CDs and along with The Huron Carole and Singing and Swinging for Supper has raised over $4.5 million for food banks and family agencies across the country

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