ARTISTS

Ruth Manning

Bio: Ruth is a Country singer/songwriter from Prospect, Kings County, NS where she has lived her whole life. Ruth grew up on country music, starting out singing with her older sisters. Ruth's dad could sing and play, but his focus was having his daughters in front of audiences throughout the local area. He took great joy from having them sing for others, either in their home or out in the community.

Music has always been in Ruth's blood, so alongside a full time career in teaching, she has pursued music as a second career for the past 30 years. Along with performing, songwriting became a focus in the late 2000s. Since then, she has been blessed to write and record many of her own songs, which have also resulted in several songwriting awards. She is super excited about all that is to come!

Ruth's band, Ruth Manning & the Prospectors, has been privileged to play shows, festivals and events around the province over the past 9 years and they look forward to celebrating the 10th anniversary of the band later in 2026.

Tyler Salsman

Bio: Tyler Salsman is a young country singer-songwriter from Windsor, Nova Scotia, known for his down-to-earth style, storytelling, and genuine connection with audiences. Growing up country and shaped by small towns and back roads, his music blends traditional country roots with a modern edge that feels both familiar and fresh.

Tyler’s live performances feature original songs, well-loved country favourites, and personal stories that bring listeners along for the ride.

Ryan Harvey

Bio: Award-winning Canadian recording artist Ryan Harvey blends bluegrass grit and storytelling with modern country appeal. A two-time ECBMA Composer of the Year, his music has charted on Canadian independent charts, reaching #1, and received Canadian radio airplay. He performs driving bluegrass, ballads, and '90s-to-modern pop-country originals, performing in multiple bluegrass bands and leading a country band across Atlantic Canada.

Jessica Russell

Bio: Jessica Russell is a two-time Josie Music Awards nominee for Song of the Year and Songwriter of the Year, recognized for her single She Can Keep It, which peaked at #3 on the Canadian Indie Country Countdown. The Nova Scotia–based country artist is known for her heartfelt songwriting, authentic vocals, and engaging live performances. With national touring experience across six provinces and the Yukon, Jessica has performed at venues including Ranchman’s Calgary, The Carleton, and TransCanada Brewing, and has shared the stage with Aaron Goodvin, The Washboard Union, Shawn Austin, and Emerson Drive.

Ken MAcpherson

Bio: Raised in Pleasant Bay on Cape Breton Island, NS, I grew up surrounded by music. Around kitchen tables lined with guitars, songs and stories brought people together, shaping my earliest memories and sparking a lifelong passion.

I began playing traditional Scottish bagpipes at 12. Over the years, I performed with a pipe band, competed in events, and played stages across the region. Those experiences taught me how music connects people, stirs emotion, and creates lasting memories.

Today, that passion has grown into a career as a country and folk singer-songwriter. I continue to write and evolve as an artist, grateful for the support of incredible people along the way. In June 2026, I will release an 18-song album featuring my original work to date.

My hope is simple: that these songs offer a story, memory, or feeling that resonates with you and perhaps brightens your day.

Keven Daken

Bio: Keven Daken is a Nova Scotia–born country singer, songwriter, producer, and performer with a career spanning more than two decades. From his early days in Halifax bands to becoming an internationally recognized artist, he has built his reputation on heartfelt storytelling, strong melodies, and an authentic connection with his audience.

As a songwriter, Keven has had dozens of songs recorded by artists including John Landry, Jamie Warren, Colin Amey, Tonya Kennedy, Derek James Tilley, and Jolene Harnish. His first professional cut, Bottom of the Ninth, became the title track of Landry’s sophomore album, while his co-write Getaway with Colin Amey reached the Canadian Mediabase National Country Top 25.

Keven is also an accomplished producer, having produced songs for artists such as Tyler Salsman and Lonewolf Country, among others. His own releases have earned critical and commercial success. Living Inside of Lonely reached the Top 10 on the Canadian Indie Country Countdown, surpassed 120,000 Spotify streams, and earned a Country Recording of the Year nomination at Nova Scotia Music Week. In 2025, Country Soon hit #1 on the same chart and has already accumulated nearly 200,000 streams. Overall, Keven has received six award nominations, including nods from the Josie Music Awards, the Intercontinental Music Awards, and Nova Scotia Music Week.

Beyond his own music, Keven founded Country Cares, an annual charity event uniting Maritime artists in support of meaningful causes. He is currently preparing a new EP for spring 2026, produced with CCMA and Juno Award–winning producer Jason Barry.

Jackie Putnam

Bio: Jackie Putnam is a country-pop sensation from Debert, Nova Scotia, known for her powerful vocals and inspiring storytelling. She released her debut album, “The Phoenix” in 2023, which has garnered eight charting singles and several accolades, including INTERNATIONAL FEMALE ALBUM OF THE YEAR AWARD 2024 from the INTERNATIONAL SINGER SONGWRITERS ASSOCIATION. Her music is influenced by country legends like Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton, and she has received nominations for multiple awards, including JOSIE MUSIC AWARDS and MUSIC NOVA SCOTIA. Jackie’s performances are a testament to her talent and dedication to her craft, making her a standout artist in the country-pop genre.

Lucas Whitehead

Bio: Lucas is 19 years old and has a great love for country and bluegrass music. This year will be his 9th year performing at the Hank Snow Tribute Festival in Liverpool. He was in a contest in Pigeon Forge Tennessee and was awarded 2019 International Male Vocalist and 2019 Male Entertainer of the year, from ages 7-12. In 2024 Lucas was awarded 1st prize in the Passions That Bloom competition at the Apple Blossom Festival. He also was awarded 1st prize in the Road to The Stage contest at the Bridgewater Exhibition and 2nd place in the ECCMA's East Coast Country Star Search. Lucas has sung at many jamborees across Nova Scotia and is part of a country bluegrass band called County Connection who have sung in PEI and NS.

Clark & Winter

Bio: Clark & Winter are a Nova Scotia-based acoustic act performing along the South Shore, in HRM, and beyond. When performing as a duo, the group is comprised of Courtney Clark (vocals, piano, guitar) from Eastern Passage and Dillon Winter (guitar) from Blockhouse.

The two met while playing in an ECMA-winning band, where they discovered a natural musical connection that carried into its own project. They began performing together as a duo in April 2025, focusing on soulful, intimate, stripped-back arrangements. Their original music draws from a wide mix of influences — including blues, country, pop, classical, and singer-songwriter elements — while their cover selections range from 70s classics to modern hits.

They played Country at the Cross last year and really enjoyed the event’s atmosphere — an attentive crowd and a welcoming group of artists — and have since been steadily building their presence across local venues.

Kyle O'Brien

Bio: Kyle O’Brien is a 31-year-old East Coast artist whose music blends heartfelt storytelling with a modern country and singer-songwriter edge. Originally from Springhill, Nova Scotia—the hometown of Canadian music icon Anne Murray—Kyle’s connection to honest, roots-driven music runs deep.

From 2022 to 2024, Kyle toured extensively throughout Nova Scotia and New Brunswick as part of a band, gaining valuable experience performing live, collaborating musically, and connecting with audiences across the Maritimes. Those years on the road helped shape his confident stage presence and strong foundation as a performer.

Now based in Chester, Nova Scotia, Kyle has stepped into his own as a solo artist, drawing inspiration from country, alternative, and classic songwriting traditions. Influenced by music from the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s, and today, his sound balances nostalgia with authenticity—delivering originals and reimagined covers that resonate with listeners of all ages.

Offstage, Kyle is a proud father of two daughters, a role that deeply influences his songwriting and fuels the sincerity behind his music.

HAnk Middleton

Bio: Hank Middleton is a songwriter, arranger, guitarist, playwright and reluctant singer! He has recorded three CD’s of original music with the help of family and his many musical friends as well a CD with Collage.

He performs with Thompson and Middleton, the bilingual group, Collage, and the Lost in the 60’s Show Band where he is musical director.

Hank has written songs for theatre including, “Glimpses”, Lunenburg Dinner Theatre, various school productions and many of the shows for South Shore Players.

His material is performed by a number of local artists and chorales. Hank also plays guitar with several local performers, including Jessica Russell, Ken MacPherson and Patricia Watson.

Stewart Franck

Bio:

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