John Hewitt and the New Americans with opener White Lightning at Music in the Park.

Trail and District Arts Council presents Kootenay Savings Music in the Park featuring John Hewitt and the New Americans with opening act White Lightning on Thursday, July 4th at 6:15 pm at Gyro Park.

Tonight, July 4, we open with White Lightning’s Blues, Rock and Boogie Band, followed by John Hewitt and the New Americans.
Headlining tonight are John Hewitt and the New Americans, led by John Hewitt a Canadian singer/songwriter influenced by 60’s folk and rock, Americana and films.

John Hewitt takes a page from the old school bible of Rock, folk and Americana and mixes it with extreme attention to detail and imagery. Born into a self-taught classroom that involved John Prine, Tom Petty, Neil Young and Bob Dylan as his professors. Originally from Sault Ste. Marie, in 2018 John moved to Edmonton and since 2020 has produced and released four albums, several singles as well as producing three full length Edmonton local releases.
His albums ”Life Blood & Tears”, “Dead Lovers” and “Broken Rebels” have all charted on the National Earshot! Charts for folk/roots and blues and garnered radio airplay internationally from CKUA to NPR in the US as well as several stations in the UK.

Joining the band on keys is Rossland’s Erik Mortimer who currently is a professional pianist living in Edmonton.

“With artfully crafted songs, masterful musicianship and humbled authenticity, John Hewitt is the full package…” Rhea March – Host & Producer ‘It Takes A Village CJSR Radio Network, Canmore Folk Festival, Edmonton Folk Festival

“Have you ever gone from “Who is this musician?” To “WHO is the musician?!!?” This was my experience in first seeing John Hewitt…” – Stuart Muir, New Moon Folk Club

Opening the night is White Lightning, a highly danceable 6-piece Blues, Rock and Boogie Band from Nelson BC, with a distinctive twin guitar plus harmonica sound. Playing classics from Little Walter to Chuck Berry, Little Feat and
The Beatles, plus Kootenay-themed originals. Their energetic, dance-focused songs will get folks moving.

The band’s rocking blues sound owes much to Gord Watt (guitar) and Kevin McKenzie (harmonica). Front man Dave Carroll has played Rock, Blues, Classical and Jazz over the years, whilst Glenn Mitchell (keyboard) adds a whole new dimension to the band’s vocal harmonies and full sound. Nelson’s busiest bassist, Phil Wilson-Birks teams up with drummer Bill Graham in a rock-solid rhythm section that powers this multi-talented line-up.

Bring a lawn chair. Admission is by donation – $3 minimum suggested. Or support the Trail Arts Council’s programming by buying a Season Pass for the whole summer for $30! You may buy a pass at trail-arts.com by clicking on any of the

Music in the Park events and clicking the “Buy” button. Or buy them in person at Gyro Park with cash or credit card.

Our two Night Markets on July 18 and August 15 will see us once again collaborate with Trail’s Incredible Farmers Market. These awesome events bring the community together for Music, Food, Beer Garden and Farmers Market. So much fun in Gyro Park. These special events run from 5-8:30 pm.

This show is made possible thanks to support from BC Arts Council, BC Touring Council, the Government of Canada, Kootenay Savings, City of Trail, Columbia Basin Trust, Hub International, Pharmasave Trail, Teck Trail Operations, and Tourism South Kootenay. We also gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia.

Upcoming shows:

July 11: Ron Halliday Band / Gabriel Palatchi Trio.
July 18: Night Market – Kym Gouchie Trio / Twin Fiddles with Geoff Horrocks / Lisa Nicole Band
July 25: Steve Marc / Melody Diachun and The Swing Bastards.
August 1:The Eisenhauers / Meredith Moon
August 8:KNS / Robin Layne & The Rhythm Makers
August 15:Night Market – Maritime Kitchen Party / Stubbs and the / Rhythm By Nature

Shows are moved indoors if the weather is not cooperative. Check our Facebook page by 2:00 pm on Thursdays for the exact location.