Submitted. The province-wide search for an opening act for Merritt Rockin’ River Fest headliner Sam Hunt came to a close Thursday evening as nine talented individuals from across B.C. competed for the chance to open for him.
Pictured: Kylene Shannon of Maple Ridge. Photo credit: Jorge Parra of 604 Now and Underdog Productions
CMT Artist of the Year Sam Hunt will be playing at the festival Saturday, July 30. The Georgia-bred guitarist, pianist and songwriter, who is known for his gifted athletic abilities, is taking North America by storm with his Leave the Light On, House Party and Take Your Time singles.
For two months, contestants bravely performed at eight entertainment venues across B.C., singing covers of their favourite songs or original work. Those who were selected to compete in the finals were as follows:
Kylene Shannon – Maple Ridge, B.C.
Camryn Scott – Mission, B.C.
Derek Pitts – Vancouver, B.C.
Niki Watson – Coldstream, B.C.
Joel West – Burns Lake, B.C.
Louis Bigras – Penticton, B.C.
Teigen Gayse – Kelowna, B.C.
Tammylynn Filgate – 100-Mile House, B.C.
Chelsea Charlton – Aldergrove, B.C.
“It was a long road for this talented group who had to compete in their hometowns before being allowed to compete here at the festival itself,” said contest coordinator Annie Andrews. “As they were all very good, judges had an extremely difficult time deciding who the winner of the semi-finals would be but finally agreed on Kylene Shannon.”
You can catch Maple Ridge’s Kylene performing at 10:20pm right before Sam Hunt takes the stage at 10:30pm.