PICKIN' BY THE POND - Cargill Ontario

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

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.

08/08/2026

We are halfway through summer already, and what an incredible music season it's been! I've had the chance to perform at so many amazing festivals and events, and I'm truly grateful for all of your support.

As a thank you, I'm giving away a custom hat!

To enter:Comment the name of a country festival where you've seen me perform OR tag / comment the name of a festival or event you'd like to see me perform at in 2027.

The winner will be announced August 21, 2026 when I’ll be practicing with my buddies for festival country St Tite.

Nous sommes déjà rendus à la moitié de l'été, et quelle belle saison jusqu'à maintenant! J'ai eu la chance de participer à tellement de festivals et d'événements incroyables, et je suis vraiment reconnaissant de votre soutien.
Pour vous remercier, je fais tirer une casquette Yvan Petit!
Pour participer :Écrivez le nom d'un festival country où vous m'avez vu performer OU Identifiez ou écrivez le nom d'un festival ou d'un événement où vous aimeriez me voir en 2027.
Le gagnant sera annoncé le 21 août 2026, pendant que je serai en répétition avec mes chums pour le Festival Country de St-Tite!

Thank you for being part of this journey, and good luck! Merci de faire partie de cette aventure, et bonne chance à tous!

08/08/2026

Moving along to Pickin's second performer of the weekend, and taking over the stage from Bobby, is what I like to call her" Our Little Firecracker". Shaylyn's Kickin it Country hour went by so fast but it sure did prove why is is a Pickin favorite!
Dressed in the cool looking sunflower dress and cowboy boots, she covered the stage making sure everyone got to be in her eyes sight. True to her nature, down off the stage she came and wondered and danced around amongst the crowd.
With rain clouds threated to sprinkle on us, her singing chased them away but the heat didn't go away. But you would never know how hot it was up on the stage, because her and the band never missed a beat.
Never a disappointment with her deep vocals and passionate delivery, each song as she displays the emotions that the song conveys. Starting the weekend dancers off , she soon had the line dancers out on the wooden dance floor.
To spread some humor, Shaylyn received a love letter from a fans wife, that she read aloud and had the crowd roaring with laughter.
Some of the tunes she sang in her variety of lined up set songs were: Patsy's " Back in my Babys Arms"....Johnny Paycheck's " Take this Job", Willie's "Blue Eyes Crying" and Hank William's : Hey Good Looken".
Be sure to check her out on Facebook and you will see her postings where she will be performing in the weeks to come! If you get a chance to see her else where, be sure to say hi! She loves her fans and if you tell her I sent you, you get a free hug. lol!!

08/04/2026

Just found this. Enjoy!

08/03/2026

To kick off Pickin 2026. was local Bruce County singer and songwriter, with his unique style of bluesy, folksy, country sounds was "Bobby Scongack". New to our stage, with the house band behind him, he soon had the undivided attention of the crowd as he got the weekend off to an amazing start.
I got to meet Bobby before his set while the band was warming up, and I must say he is so down to earth and soon make you feel like a old friend. Knowing I am a hugger, he wasted no time providing one, and totally making me feel at ease.
There was no doubt he picked the perfect song list to led off our festival. He played his own penned originals like "Heart On My Sleeve" and "There Goes The Time". along with Cash's Folsom Prison Blues and Don Williams' Crying in the Rain. His hour flew by and there is no doubt he was a crowd pleaser. I will certainly be following his career and wanting him back to Cargill. Since he does a lot of appearances in the local Bruce and Grey County music scene, I will be attending events, where he will be performing.