STORY & PHOTOS BY GLEN FORRESTER

Country Thunder Saskatchewan 2023 was held July 13 - 16. 

The weekend started at the beer gardens on Thursday night with the Canadian band Hight Valley, The lead singer of Hight Valley is Brad Rempel. The beer gardens were packed with country fans.  Everyone had a great time.

Friday afternoon on the main stage started with the “MC's” Bruce Williams and Terry Ree, known as “The Indian and The White Guy”. They have been the comedy host for Country Thunder for 40 years, that is very impressive. Also, this year joining them was Storme Warren. He was with SXM “The Highway” for about 17 year or so. He enjoyed being with SXM but life brings new paths to go on.  Storme’s new journey is with Garth Brooks “Big 615” on TuneIn.  Storme said “ I’m a fan first and an ambassador next and I want to continue that on a global level. When the world gets smaller, people get closer and when people get closer they’re nicer. That’s what we want country music to do.” Hailey Whitters, a 33 year old from Iowa, USA came on stage. She is a new upcoming star with some small town roots that you hear in her music. Parmalee came on in the evening which consists of two brothers Matt and Scott Thomas and Barry Knox is their cousin also best friend from childhood Josh McSwain. They came together to create their music in a barn in the small town of Parmele, North Carolina. That is why they call their band Parmelee. Midland performed next to the Country Thunder fans. They came together to form their band in Dripping Spring, Texas in 2014. The members are Mark Wystrach, Jess Carson and Cameron Duddy. Jon Pardi brought the Friday night to a close. An American Country singer and song writer, Jonathan Ryan Pardi is 38 years old and was born in Dixon, California USA. His first #1 hit was in 2015 with “Head Over Boots”. He is currently touring across 8 country’s.  

Saturday late afternoon, Halle Kearns came on stage. She was born in Missouri USA and now lives in Nashville. She is pursuing her career in easy-listening style country music which she will go very far. The Canadian Forces Snowbirds put on an air show over the Country Thunder grounds. Also did a show on Sunday late afternoon they are always unbelievable. Nate Haller was the next performer. He is a Canadian country singer and songwriter. In 2022 Nate released his debut album “Party In The Back”. Jess Moskaluke is another country singer and songwriter from Canada. She has a few awards under her belt. The 2014-2016 three time consecutive CCMA Female Artist of the year award winner also Juno Award for Country Album of the year in 2017.  Brett Kissel is the third Canadian of the day to go on the Country Thunder stage. He has four number one hits on the Canadian country charts. He had the crowd in the palm of his hand with his up-beat music. Closing Saturday night was Tim McGraw who has many accomplishments in his life. He is a country singer, songwriter, record producer and actor. He put on an excellent show. The crowd was thrilled to see Tim’s performance. 

Sunday, the last day of Country Thunder, started with Shane Profit. He is an American country singer. He had his first debut in 2022 and is a new upcoming country singer. Next up was Chase Matthew. He is a singer and songwriter.  First he was into Pop than found his way to country music. He always has a message to follow your heart in whatever direction that may be. Bailey Zimmerman is a American country singer and songwriter came on stage next to perform to the crowd of Country Thunder fans. For a young man in his 20’s he has a great future in country music. Carly Pearce came on in the evening to perform her traditional and contemporary country pop music. She began performing professionally in her teens and moved to Nashville at 19 years old from Kentucky. At 16 years old she worked her first job at Dollywood. Next up to close out Country Thunder was Keith Urban who is an Australian and American singer, guitarist and songwriter. He was born in 1967 in New Zealand. Between singing and playing his guitars, he electrified the crowd with his talent.

For COUNTRY THUNDER schedule and more information, go to https://www.countrythunder.com/