I'm using this as a thread of bands that will be in this Wheat City for (or around the time of) the Western Canadian Music Awards!  
 
A few bands that have confirmed include:  
Hey Ocean! A band from Vancouver that Gene Simmons has an interest in. They have some great live music  
http://www.myspace.com/heyocean  
 
The Wheat Pool.. possibly the best named band to be playing The Wheat City, this rock band from Alberta is a great band, they even caused a bit of controversy on CBC Radio 3 (with help of me weirdly enough) because of their song "Geographic Centre of Canada". There was a debate on the CBC Radio 3 program "R3-30" which is a weekly Canadian indie countdown that regularly discussed "where IS" the centre of Canada, I might have added fuel to that fire saying that it was Brandon. But it gave the band alot of exposure.  
http://www.myspace.com/thewheatpool  
 
I haven't heard anything concrete yet, but there's a cool band from Vancouver that's planning to come to Brandon the weekend before the festivities called Mojave. They're a two piece acoustic band and they're doing a tour across Canada and on Sept 13 they're performing at the North Hill Inn.  
http://mojavemusic.ca/  
 
If I hear more updates of bands that may perform in Brandon, I'll keep everyone posted!

I got a few more confirmations, but things could change by then  
 
Dan Mangan  
I'm a fan of this guy, and he's really starting to get popular  
http://www.danmanganmusic.com/  
 
Library Voices  
Great band from Regina  
http://www.myspace.com/thelibraryvoices  
 
The Sheepdogs  
Another great Saskatchewan rock band  
http://www.myspace.com/thesheepdogs

There is a list of 52 bands that have been selected to play at the Festival.  
 
Local bands 'Take with Audio' and  
'Effect and Cause' are on the list.

A press release that was just sent my way...  
 
Alberta Funk Invades Manitoba  
 
WCMA nominees Souls in Rhythm bring their high-energy live show to Brandon!  
 
Calgary, AB – Souls in Rhythm (a.k.a. SiR), hailing from Calgary, AB, combine generous portions of funk & soul with elements of R&B, blues and rock, to deliver songs with ferocious bass lines, sing-able melodies, inspiring lyrics and outstanding musicianship, resulting in a strong, distinctive groove that is uniquely their own. With their sophomore album, Funklore, nominated for Urban Recording of the Year at the 2009 Western Canadian Music Awards, SiR is riding high and eager to bring their high-energy show to Brandon, MB. They will be performing at Houston’s (3130 Victoria Avenue) on Saturday, September 19, 2009 as part of the WCMA Festival’s Urban Showcase. This is the first time SiR has been nominated for a WCMA, but the second time they have performed as part of the festival (the band previously performed in Regina for the 2003 WCMA Festival).  
 
“The regional support feels really great. We’re happy to have fans from wherever but the WCMA nomination for funk/soul music that we’re passionate about really hits us hard - we’re really appreciative! ”says SiR’s lead singer, Scott Henderson.Souls in Rhythm is currently featured in the July/August 2009 issue of Canadian Musician Magazine in their Showcase section. Earlier this year, Alberta’s Big Rock Brewery distributed 50,000 copies of their Untapped Vol. 2 Compilation CD across Canada, showcasing fresh, promising Canadian talent - SiR’s song, So I Can Live With Myself, was 1 of 15 tracks selected for the CD (over 176 artists applied). In September 2008, Souls in Rhythm performed at the CP Spirit Train Event in Calgary, supporting the 2010 Olympics and featuring headlining act, Colin James. The band also performed as part of the Opening Ceremonies for the 2008 Alberta Summer Games in Medicine Hat. SiR also participated in the festivities surrounding the 2008 Juno Awards, which were held in their hometown - lead singer, Scott Henderson (also founder of 2 time Juno nominee, R&B vocal group The EarthTONES), played in the Juno Cup and the group performed as part of JunoFest.  
 
Upon releasing their debut album, Can’t Fake the Funk in 2006, Souls in Rhythm won Vibe 98.5’s $100,000 Unsigned Vibe Songwriting Competition: this win allowed them to head back in to the studio and create Funklore. While the new album was mostly self-produced in Calgary, the band did travel to work with accomplished producers Jeff Dawson (Daniel Powter) in Vancouver, and Trey Mills (X-Quisite) in Toronto. The lead single from the album, “Girl Work”, was mixed by New York’s Ken Lewis (Kanye West, Janet Jackson, Usher, John Legend) and serves up the lighter side of SiR’s songwriting. Currently writing material for their 3rd album, SiR continues to expand the boundaries of funk and soul, proudly paying homage to tradition while clearly welcoming the future and delivering their sound to the world!!  
Weblinks:  
EPK: http://www.sonicbids.com/soulsinrhythm  
Official website: http://www.soulsinrhythm.com  
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/soulsinrhythm2

Just received a note from one of the guys in One Bad Son, who will be playing Houstons on the 18th. A few details...  
 
- Just signed a management deal with Union Entertainment (Nickelback, Default, etc), after our double showcase at this year's NXNE.  
- Current single 'Rustbucket' has become most requested song of the summer @ Rock 102 in Saskatoon.  
- Named Sask Artist of the Year 2008 (TheSaskTop30.com).  
- "Thin Lizzy meets early Zep meets Soundgarden, on uppers"  
- a link to the music video for their single "Rustbucket".  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fou5CO_jTEs  
-websites: http://www.onebadson.com, http://www.sonicbid.com/onebadson  
 
Just had a listen to another song of theirs, 'Retribution Blues'.... Can definitely understand why they're on the up and up!

Watch for this band, they sound awesome.

Just received another press release. I'm on the media list for the event and will add more as I receive them:  
 
---------------------------------------  
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  
September 8th, 2009  
ADALINE PERFORMS AT THE WESTERN CANADIAN MUSIC AWARDS  
 
Vancouver independent artist ADALINE is set to perform for a second time at the Western Canadian Music Awards being held this year in Brandon, Manitoba.  
 
The Double Decker – September 18th, 10 PM  
The City Center Hotel – September 19th, 9 PM  
 
After Twittering about a recent chance encounter with Twilight Saga star Robert Pattinson at the 2009 Juno Awards, an online frenzy was sparked and in under 3 weeks, ADALINE found herself with over 75,000 Myspace plays, thousands of messages from new supporters, hundreds of digital downloads, and stories in the National Post, Star Magazine, and Los Angeles’ E News. Her 2008 full-length debut, Famous For Fire, suddenly found itself “famous for vampire.” But ADALINE’s popularity isn’t all due to Pattinson’s handshake, instead it is a result of her long-time DIY work ethic.  
 
ADALINE’s compositions combine layers of piano, brass, strings, and vibraphone with electric guitars and programmed percussion achieving an intensity and passion similar to two lovers caught in the throes of a furious romance. It is this searing musical identity that has national papers such as The Vancouver Sun, The Calgary Herald, The Edmonton Journal, The Ottawa Citizen, The Star Phoenix, and The Montreal Gazette granting ADALINE a spot in the “Top Echelon of Canada’s Female Indie singer-songwriters” (February 2009). Often compared to the likes of Fiona Apple, Cat Power, and Tori Amos,  
ADALINE takes her place among these artists as one who is also inspired by the craft of songwriting and the power of performance.  
 
Having previously shared the stage with Juno Award winning artist, Divine Brown, Juno Nominees Eccodek and Kinnie Starr, as well as many of Vancouver’s top indie artists, ADALINE continues to be a sought after songwriter and vocalist for collaborations with local producers, bands, and DJs. She has brought her live performance across the country to events such as Canadian Music Week and NXNE, prompting The Vancouver Sun to describe her live show “like watching someone in the midst of some kind of massive physical and emotional release – intimate and raw and exuberant. She plays the keyboard like it’s an extension of her own body.”  
 
ADALINE has also had her music featured on numerous television programs including Fox’s “Defying Gravity”, ABC’s “Royal Pains”, Global TV’s "The Best Years", CTV’s “Degrassi”, LOGO's "Exes and Ohs" and CBC's "Heartland” all airing in 2009 on television stations in Canada and the US. As well, she was recently invited to speak at Next Media’s Digital Media Summit on The Power of Social Media and Networking.  
 
In addition to performing at the Western Canadian Music Awards, ADALINE is also tirelessly promoting independent Canadian music as a current top 20 finalist in The Peak Performance Project. As a joint venture between Vancouver radio station The Peak 100.5 and Music BC, the unique competition is an effort to develop and support independent BC musicians. Through the Project, ADALINE has the chance to win $150,000 to put towards career development.  
 
ADALINE - where sound and soul meet.  
 
----------------------------------------

The Wheat Pool are now performing two concerts, I'm excited since I won't have to rush from their concert to Dan Mangan

Another band that sounds very unique...  
 
Delhi 2 Dublin (nominated for Best World Music Recording) from Vancouver bill themselves as  
"the only Celtic Punjabi Electronica band in the world." They'll be playing at the awards show along with at the Roadhouse at 11pm Saturday.  
 
How they describe how they got started:  
"A couple of Punjabi guys walked into an Irish Pub and had a couple of drinks with the fiddle player. Then they all decided to go hear a DJ playing at an afterhours warehouse party. On the way there they picked up a Korean guy busking with his sitar on the side of the street. The rest is history... We've been together for 3 and 1/2 years, have played some of the biggest festivals on the continent, and are just getting back from a tour of Taiwan. We're looking forward to our first trip to Manitoba!"  
 
A little more about them:  
promo vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN-7dpAzNPg, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=173nuNuQ2ko  
website: http://www.delhi2dublin.com  
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Delhi-2-Dublin/9711795199

ALI MILNER: LIVE IN CONCERT  
WESTERN CANADIAN MUSIC AWARDS FESTIVAL  
CLANCY'S EATERY AND DRINKERY, SEPTEMBER 18 AND 19, 2009  
http://www.westerncanadianmusicawards.ca/  
 
ALI MILNER brings her pure sound and remarkable vocal depth to Clancy's Eatery and Drinkery on Friday, September 18, 2009 at 10:00 p.m. and Saturday, September 19, 2009 at midnight. The young, accomplished musician will delight fest-goers with an intimate performance of her new album I Dare You, including the single "Crystal Clear."  
 
Milner has created a deep and earnest catalog of her own pop compositions and rhythm and blues pieces. She often sings with her band, but has proven she can entrance audiences with only her piano skills and sonorous voice radiating from the stage. The 45-minute set will provide fans with an essential experience and make faithful followers of the newly introduced.  
 
Musically inclined at an early stage, Milner began building her music foundation as the lead voice in the internationally acclaimed Vancouver Childrenís Choir. Sheís since established her place amongst professional musicians with performances at the Canadian Music CafÈ during the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival, the Sunshine Coast Musicfest, the Rockanagan Musicfest in Kelowna, B.C., the Temecula Valley Film Festival and Musicfest near Los Angeles and the Westjet Street Party during the 2009 Juno Awards in Vancouver.  
 
Check out www.myspace.com/alimilner  

i read through the guide and it has no aboriginal performers i heard of two nominees but wouldnt it be great to hear them perform in the wheat city, im pretty sure its Crystal Shawnda n Tracy Bone please correct me if im wrong

11 PM Friday at the Roadhouse...  
 
----------------------------------------  
Matt Walker Makes the Blues Rock!  
 
When it comes to the blues, there are the staunch authentic blues enthusiasts and those who like their blues with a rock approach. Matt Walker rocks but he rocks with a lot of respect for the blues tradition. He believes that there is a warmth attached to blues music that he simply can’t imagine living without.  
 
Back in Alberta since 2000, Matt has worked with the Graham Guest Band, Donald Ray Johnson, Billy Joe Green, Russell Jackson, Doug Jenson and the Feelkings, theRault Brothers Band, Studebaker John, Shelly Jones, and Rick Holmstrom. The respect Matt has garnered across the country for his solid drumming and solid work ethic is evident by the roster of talent on his debut album Low Down.  
 
When it came to recording his own CD, Matt wanted to create an exceptional recording that would incorporate the raw feel and spontaneity of 1950's Chicago blues. Matt approached his old pals from his club days in Toronto and his Edmonton buddies — some of the who's who of Canadian blues performers. The album, first created in Matt's mind and inspired by his passion for the blues, began to take on a life of its own. Matt harnessed the intense, deep energy that makes the blues a true art form of the soul, and expressed that landscape of emotion song after song. The result – Low Down – an exceptional album, a mixture of Blues and Rock filled with passion, and with outstanding arrangements.  
Low Down covers a lot of ground musically. Low Down leaves you wanting more, and is a testament to the virtuosity of everyone involved in the project. Low Downis a tasteful blend of strong, well-written original songs, and songs made famous by blues heroes like Elmore James, and Junior Wells. This album is rounded out by a natural vocal sensibility that moves and propels the songs on this record into new territory.  
 
-----------------------------------

Thanks for the heads up Adam!  
 
I have a few friends excited to come into Brandon (wow that's a first) for the WCMAs, it's going to be a fun time!  
 
Library Voices will be a great band to hear opening up at RTB tonight

cher13 said "i read through the guide and it has no aboriginal performers i heard of two nominees but wouldnt it be great to hear them perform in the wheat city, im pretty sure its Crystal Shawnda n Tracy Bone please correct me if im wrong "

Billy Joe Green, and I believe Jaylene Johnson.

ok my bad

check out Effect & Cause. They are playing Friday, 9pm @ Clancy's. They are a great local band.....the best young band in Brandon (most of them are 17). These guys are definately up and comers so take this chance to see them playing on the same stage as they other bigger name acts.