Country music fans in Estevan were delighted to the music of three of Canada’s most well-known country music acts Saturday night, as the Hit After Hit tour made its way to Affinity Place.
George Canyon, Charlie Major and Doc Walker took to the stage to entertain fans. While Canyon was billed as the headliner, all three groups were given plenty of time to sing their biggest hits, as well as some other songs.
The concert saw the acts alternate throughout the night, which meant each performer would have a few songs before the next musicians took to the stage.
Many of the fans who attended stood on the arena floor to get as close to the stage as possible. There wasn’t the floor seating like at many of the concerts at Affinity.
Other spectators sat in the permanent seats in the arena’s bowl, or stood and watched from the standing room area.
Canyon, who hails from Atlantic Canada, compared the concert to the “kitchen party” concept, which is popular in the east. There was even a kitchen table set up on the stage, where musicians could sit and relax when it wasn’t their time to perform.
He also encouraged fans to dance throughout the night, and many fans were seen moving to the music.
Canyon started by playing three songs, and then Major came on stage for four of his own. The crowd was singing along for one of his biggest hits, (I do it) For the Money. He also shared stories on the background of his music.
Doc Walker then took to the stage for two songs, before Canyon returned.
Most of the songs were originals by the groups, but they also played music by others famed songwriters, such as the Tragically Hip, Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash.
Partway through the concert, Canyon, Major and Doc Walker lead singer Chris Thorsteinson came together on the stage for the songwriter’s session. After singing excerpts of songs that incorporated the words “Saturday night” into the lyrics, they each sang one of their original songs, with Canyon playing Looks like a Good Day to Ride, Thorsteinson singing Rocket Girl and Major playing I’ve got an Angel Watching Over Me.
The hits continued in the second half of the concert. Canyon played one of his best-known songs, Drinkin’ Thinkin’, a fitting song for the night considering it was a cabaret style gathering on the arena floor. Then Canyon and Major teamed up for a duet.
All of the musicians were on the stage together at the end of the night for a rendition of Stompin’ Tom Connors The Good Ol’ Hockey Game, and for the encore song.
Manny Blu, a newcomer to the Canadian country music scene, served as the opening act for the night.
