2018 NCMA Country Open attracts 55 singers

Country open attracts 55 singers

Author of the article:  Christian Paas-Lang 

Published Aug 02, 2018  •  Last updated Aug 08, 2018  •

2018 Article

Bill Cameron has reached the podium a few times in the past, and now he’s looking for more. This time around, he’s in a new age group, which he believes will give him an edge. Cameron, from North Bay, is competing in the 30th Annual Open Country Singing Contest at the Bill Barber Complex & Community Centre in Callander, ON, starting Friday.

The prize total is $10,000, and it’s spread over a variety of classes, including a duet competition and karaoke for those 12 and younger. In 2017, the competition drew 43 contestants from across the province.

 The prize total is $10,000, and it’s spread over a variety of classes, including a duet competition and karaoke for those 12 and younger. In 2017, the competition drew 43 contestants from across the province.

This year, that number has jumped to 55, says Harley Renaud, president of the Nipissing Country Music Association, the group organizing the event.

Cameron is one of those 55, and he’s looking to take home the top prize in the men’s 50-plus class: $400.

He says that the atmosphere is a good time for the public, with lots of good music, and “good people to be around.”

For the singers, though, “it’s tense,” he says.

Cameron says he’s been busy preparing, he’s been practicing “from last year until now.”

He’s come out for the contest about five times, reached as high as second place, and got a third and fourth spot last year. Still, he’s no professional musician.

“I just play at pig roasts and stuff like that,” he says. At the competition, he’ll be playing Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound by Hank Williams Jr. and Working Man Blues by Merle Haggard.

Rehearsals began Wednesday at the community centre, and the event itself kicks off Friday around noon, and will run until around 6 p.m. on Sunday. The event is free to the public. “All they gotta do is bring their own chair,” Renaud says.

The country music competition is bringing contestants from across Ontario, including Timmins, London, Ottawa ,Toronto and Bradford, Renaud says.

“If it wasn’t for our many volunteers to help organize, this contest wouldn’t be possible,” adds Renaud, who is leading the backup band.