January 30, 1998
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

The following is being distributed at the request of the 1999 Canada Winter Games Committee:

"Everything's Alright" for Charlie Major to Perform
at Canada Games Centre

Newfoundland fans will be pleased to learn that they can hear, live, in our new Canada Games Centre, the Multi-Juno Award winner for Country Male Vocalist of the Year, Charlie Major and featuring our very own the Lisa Stratton Band. The concert will take place February 21,

8 pm and tickets can be purchased for $19.99 + HST starting Monday, February 2, at the Canada Games Centre.

Wayne Trask, President of the 1999 Canada Winter Games stated: "As indicated by the official opening of the Canada Games Centre and the Cabot 500 closing, both held this past fall, the quality of shows that can be staged at the centre is spectacular. We are again showcasing Newfoundland's top entertainment facility by bringing in one of North America's most listened to music artists. Come out and support the 1999 Canada Winter Games and enjoy an evening of top notch entertainment."

David Smallwood, Vice President Friends of the Games and Marketing stated: "This is one of our special fundraising events of the 1999 Canada Winter Games and we hope the community comes out to support the games. Charlie Major appeals to many different types of music fans of all ages and we would love to see the new Canada Games Center filled to capacity. This event will also put Western Newfoundland's stamp on our ability to host major performances."

In addition to being a multi-Juno award winner, Charlie Major has won seven Canadian Country Awards and six Big Country Awards along with having nine number one singles and a double platinum debut album. In 1993 Charlie Major became the first Canadian country artist to hit number one with the debut single "I'm Gonna Drive You Out Of My Mind." Over the next few years he followed this up by releasing his albums The Other Side and Lucky Man which turned platinum (The Other Side turning double platinum). Charlie's fans recognize his unique style of writing and singing for its honesty and everyday concerns. Many country music fans may remember that this talent for song writing provided him with his first taste of fame when he penned the song Backroads, sung by Ricky Van Shelton in 1990. This song soon became a number one hit on both sides of the border.

When talking about his music, Charlie says: "When you spend a fair number of years in bars and backup jobs, you see a lot of different kinds of people. I'm very sentimental and sympathetic, especially to others. Whether it's watching the news or walking down the street, I spend a lot of my life hurting for other people, so I think I try to point out the realities of a situation when I write." Now living in Nashville, his latest recording, for Vik/BMG Music Canada, is entitled Everything's Alright which includes all but one of its songs written by Charlie himself.

Also appearing with Charlie in concert is Corner Brook's own The Lisa Stratton Band, a dynamic group of performers consisting of four seasoned professional musicians from Corner Brook. With a vast repertoire of material, ranging from country ballads, rock and soul favorites to the latest pop hits, The Lisa Stratton Band is guaranteed to suit the most discerning musical tastes. The members of the group include Lisa Stratton, vocals, who graduated through the ranks of the Kinette talent shows to 1st place winnings three years in a row at the annual Labatts-Kixx Country Talent Show to outstanding professional performer. Bill Mahoney, guitar and vocals, whose first gigs were playing Irish and Country music on C.B.C radio. Since then he has played extensively throughout Canada in different Rock and Country groups. He has played with such artists as multi-juno award winner Dick Dameron and opened for Pam Tillis. Danney Solo, on drums, is well known to music lovers throughout Newfoundland and is a seasoned veteran of recording, concert, T.V., radio and night club performances. Paul O'Brien, bass guitar and drums, is a professional musician who has toured through Canada, the United States and the Virgin Islands with such groups as Maze, 12 Guage, Glen Simmons and the OB/Boom Band and The Trees.

Contact:

Email. admin@atcon.com Email. ethridge@newcomm.net