PICKIN' BY THE POND - Cargill Ontario

09/05/2026

09/05/2026

With the clouds threatening only, and the weather turned the moist air into humidity and heat, the 1pm band lead by one of our new Pickin Entertainment Directors, Chris Miller, "Catfish Gumbo" took to our stage. Fellow band members is long time house band bass player, "Donny Maxwell" and past house band drummer, "Bucky McWaters". Joining them this year, from the house band wad fiddle player, "Leo Stock" -Steel guitar, "Gord Cottrill" and lead guitar, "Roger Williamson". True to form, the dancers heaedwedm to the dance f;loor and danced away the hour and the crowd listen to tradional country tunes.
If you didn't a chance to come see this very popular band that has been very busy this year playing in various venues across Ontario., they will be appearing at this year's International Plowing Patch and Rural Expo, outside of Walkerton. They will be in the CKNX Centennial Pavilion, on the GFO stage, on Friday September 25th, from 7 pm to 10 pm. If not camping, you can still attend, by entering through the RV Park, for and admission price of only $10.
Joining them, Chris, Donny, Bucky will also be Roger, Ian Leith on fiddle and Doug Dietrich on pedal steel guitar.

08/29/2026

Continuing on to Day 2 of Pickin 2026, with the morning showers ending, Northern Ontario Country Hall of Fame Inductee, "Bonita Mercer" and the House Band, took to our stage at on July 5th.
Starting off her set, with My Heart will Go On, and the Pickin dancers headed to the dance floor, while the heat and humidity started to climb. But a true showgirl, she kept pumping traditional country tunes, some that she had penned, for her hour set.
As the rain began to drizzle, she sang a song from the late iconic Dolly Parton, "Coat of Many Colors." Her hour flew by but we all knew we would see her again at the Sunday Gospel Show.

08/27/2026

Kudos to Bobby, Shaylyn, Ben & Katelyn, Bryce & Austin, & Seth, who mangaed to get through their sets in the dreaded heat and humidity of the first afternoon of Pickin flawlessly.
To to kick off the first evening of Pickin, was a band that formed in 2015, by lead singer Kevin Kinsella, "Dufferin County Line".
Band members dealing with the extreme heat and humidity along with Kevin who was experiencing some throat issues were: drummer Jason Pinhay, bass player BK Smith, electric guitar Dan Kolol. Together, they played top 40 country tunes. I personally loved them as did Jim Beech when he first heard them at the Hertiage Farm Show last year.
I am going to put it out there and step up and defend them, as I only heard a few complaints on their selection of music. Frankly, it happens but after being contacted by Kevin, that he realized that they should of played the oldies, but that was never communicated to them. They assumed being a festival, the genre that the crowd would of like would be new music. Told him don't sweat it. It happens a lot. The crowd was down, as many just didn't feel like coming out after long hard hot Friday at work. Not all our crowd are retirees but working class folks.
Hopefully, the new fellas of the Entertainment hiring, can look past this little glitch, and considering getting them back to Cargill in the future, as they gave us a high energy show, that had people heading to the dance floor, in spite of the heat.

08/23/2026

To close off the first afternoon of Pickin 2026, a Pickin favorite from Binbrook, was the young man with a unique and authentic country sound that always melts our hearts, as he makes us feel the emotions he portrays, when he sings, "Seth Ryan"
Once again, still at home with the post operation patient, I missed Seth's performance this year. However, I did my due diligence, and asked around, and made notes. I did however, get to get my hugs from him and his dad, before they had to leave, because Seth had another commitment then next day.
Seth has made time every year, since 2023, to join us here in Cargill, since he was invited up on our stage by Paul Anthony, to do a song. I personally can't imagine, Pickin without him, We, here at Pickin, love it when we can encourage young country performers to give us a taste of their talents and be a part of their future in the country music world.
According to my many sources, to add up Seth's set, "He was fantastic as expected and he sure didn't disappoint us"! They agreed that every year, Seth's shyness is melting away and it has almost disappeared. Not only that, his confidence up on our stage, is 500% better than it was in 2023. Of course, is these past few years, Seth has been busy performing in many other different venues.
So if you get a chance to catch him performing in a festival or any other venue, take the time to go and enjoy his music. Be sure to to reach out to him, as he loves to meet his fans, and tell him I sent you!!

08/17/2026

In the mid, of the first afternoon of Pickin 2026, MC, "Bryce Butcher" and new to our stage, his son, "Austin. Coming to Cargill annually with his parents, for most of his life, Austin finally got to share the stage with his dad.
Once again, I wasn't in the park, for their performance but I did gather info from those that were. Once again, Bryce, as usual, was flawless and Austin did a fantastic job. They say, Austin, if he was nervous, he sure didn't show it. The song list they selected was perfect for our crowd.
Austin has performed with his dad, at events this past winter and this certainly helped prepare him. Austin also played in the after hour jams last year.
Bryce has become part of committee now, co-chairing the hiring of the performers along with Chris Miller. Can't wait to see who they will be getting up on our stage for Pickin 2027. Got to add, that Austin took over my hubby's job as stage and tractor driver water and ice suppler. My hubby is so grateful, as stated earlier, health and mobility wise, wasn't up to it. Austin even brought a freind to help and his parents cane to join us here at Pickin for the first time!!
Must add wife and momma, Carla works with the Security crew and the Share The Wealth crew. Trust me, this family doesn't come to Pickin for a rest.
But they, are certainly always ready to receive and give hugs!! Can't wait to see Bryce at our wrap up meeting in about 7 weeks.
All I can say is this Butcher Family ROCKS! Oh yea, they have a your lad, I am sure we will be getting a job for too. lol

08/14/2026

The 3rd set, on the first day of Pickin 2026, and replacing Shaylyn on the Pickin stage, was Manitoulin Island's, father and daughter duet of Ben and Katelyn Lentir.
Unfortunately, I had to take my hubby home, as he was only 8 days post from hip replacement surgery and I thought he was getting sunstroke. But I did ask around how their set went.
They played a variety of songs with their unique bluegrass country flare. They showed the crowd why they are both Northern Ontario Country Music Inductees.