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Brock Zeman - Every Tuesday!
With nine-albums to his name and a few hundred live performances every year for almost a decade, singer-songwriter Brock Zeman is well-established as one of the Ottawa Valley’s hardest working musicians. All of this before the age of 30. He’s also highly regarded, having earned praise from critics across the country. Exclaim! magazine says Zeman “is a songwriter worth hearing over and over again,” CKUA hails Zeman’s work as “intelligent, tuneful, heart-felt songs served up with an authentic but understated style” and the KW Record says that “Zeman doesn’t surrender an inch to any Texas singer/songwriter you care to name. Closer to home, he has the chops to join the likes of Fred Eaglesmith on the lonesome outskirts of town after the street lights come on."
Zeman has also played on stage with some of the top talent of the contemporary roots and Americana scenes, including Steve Earle, Lynn Miles, Fred Eaglesmith, Blue Rodeo, Corb Lund, Toby Keith, Prairie Oyster and the Rodeo Kings, to name a select few. Keith Glass of Prairie Oyster calls him, “an emerging Canadian powerhouse,” while Juno-award winner, Lynn Miles says “he’s a master songwriter…he belongs on stage with the big boys.” By his mid-20s, Zeman signed with Busted Flat Records and had played most major music festivals in the country. So marks the first fine chapter in Zeman’s music trajectory.
The past year has seen Zeman take on new challenges and roles in the music industry and expand his musical horizons. He founded Mud Records, his signature label for releasing new material, including his most recent album “Me Then You.” But Mud Records also serves as the imprint for showcasing new roots talent handpicked by Zeman. The first release on Zeman’s label was “Nights Take Forever” from singer-songwriter, Robert Larisey who made the Top 50 Artists listing in the Roots Music Report for the recording, while altcountry.nl gave it a 4 out of 5 stars. More recently, Mud Records released the debut album by the Brothers Through the Hill, “Adelaide”; the album received a rave review in the Ottawa Citizen, which also added that Zeman “recognizes talent when he sees it.” Rootstime calls Mud Records “a promising young label.”
Zeman has also stepped away from his guitar for a time and worked behind-the-scenes in the production studio on his most recent album as well as both the Larisey and Brothers Through the Hill releases. Zeman also produced the debut album from renown fantasy author, Charles de Lindt. He is also planning and producing albums for a small roster of other musical acts to be released on Mud Records in the coming months.
Dave Balfour Hosts Wednesday Night Open Jams
Teaching by day, and playing by night, Dave Balfour continues to pack the Open Mic Night at O’Reilly’s bringing in a new & old mix of entertainers every 2nd Wednesday. This time you will be able to catch Dave solo as he entertains you on the Patio with his unique renditions of classic tunes from your past. This larger than life man, with a sweet soft voice will have you tapping & humming to your favourite tunes, from the likes of The Beatles, Dave Matthews & U2 and Little Feat.
Ali McCormick - Thursday Evenings
Ali McCormick grew up in the Lanark Highlands on an off-grid hobby farm. She was drawn to music at a young age, live music around the kitchen table a common occurrence on the farm. With help & encouragement from her family she began writing songs. When it was obvious that music/song writing came naturally her folks chipped in for an acoustic cutaway. She brought that guitar back & forth across the country playing open mics, coffee shops, basements, attics, around campfires & anywhere else people wanted to hear her music. After many years and many, many songs Ali has developed a musical style all of her own, a style that could be described as Folk-Grunge Pop & will be recording her very first full length album in the near future. Upon release of the album she hopes to play as many shows in as many places as possible. She has recently acquired a drummer to accompany her in her travels … keep your eyes & ears open for Ali McCormick, she's a performer you don't want to miss.




