Skip to content

Thorold music festival enters day three

Day two of Rock 'N Blues on the Battlefield featured beautiful weather and a stellar lineup

The incredible Paul DesLauriers Band from Montreal capped off a stellar day of music yesterday at the Battle of Beaverdams Park, Thorold.

Today, the music festival, now in its third year, will feature four bands beginning at 2:30 p.m.

First, one of Thorold's favourite prodigal sons, Paul Muelli, will return with his band, Fat Bottom Daddy. Known throughout Niagara as a singer, songwriter and skilled keyboard player, Muelli will perform some classic hits, his own compositions and a healthy dose of southern rock and Van Morrison.

Next up, Andre Bisson from Hamilton will bring a big six-piece band and considerable talent to the stage. 

One reviewer wrote, "The award winning composer, arranger, guitar player and vocalist is one of the hardest working musicians around. Soulful, talented and sharp Bisson, was clearly born with a passion for music and performing."

From North Carolina, Brandon Santini is next to take the stage. Often compared to blues legends James Cotton and Paul Butterfield, Santini belongs to the new guard, bringing a fresh modern twist to the blues.

One writer noted, "International touring vocalist and harmonica player Brandon Santini is undeniably a worthy player to keep an eye on as the latest surge of young blues artists leave their footprint in blues history."

The final offering for the evening will be the outstanding JP Soars and the Red Hots. Known by Canal Bank Shuffle fans as one of the finest guitarists on the planet - in any genre - Soars will deliver smoking southern blues roots backed by a power trio from Thorold's bandshell.

JP is a former winner of the International Blues Challenge in Memphis and the Albert King best guitarist award at the same competition.

He was recently nominated as the best Rock-Blues Artist of the Year in a category that included musical giants, Billy Gibbons, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Tinsley Ellis and Eric Gales.

And that if all that weren't enough, JP will welcome to the stage a very special guest that is guaranteed to be one of those events fans will talk about for years to come.

HERE IS THE LINEUP FOR TODAY:

SUN. June 30    
2:30 p.m.  

Fat Bottom Daddy featuring
Paul Muelli 

4:30 p.m.   Andre Bisson
6:30 p.m.   Brandon Santini
8:30 p.m.   JP Soars & Special Guest