Believe it or not, the 2014 Juno Breakthrough Artist of the Year is coming to play in tiny Neilburg, Saskatchewan, not one night but two.
Neilburg, a town of only 448, will be hosting hot new country artist Brett Kissel at a dinner and dance Dec. 5 and 6.
When interviewed by telephone Kissel was on his way from Halifax, N.S., to Montreal, Que., where he was to play at a sold-out Bell Centre, opening for Brad Paisley. Despite the many accolades that have come Kissel's way this year, and the fact that he has now played all over the world, Kissel said, "There's no community I'd rather play in or concert I'd rather do."
Kissel first came to Neilburg in 2011, to a fundraising event organized by the Saskatchewan Speckle Park Association. Then relatively unknown, the organizing committee, including John and Dale Herbert, who raise speckle park cattle in the Neilburg area, had to do extensive promotion to sell enough tickets to make the concert and dance profitable.
Those who attended in 2011 thoroughly enjoyed the music and Kissel stayed overtime, performing request after request. He was immediately booked for a return engagement the following year. Next week's events will be his fourth annual performance in Neilburg.
Kissel, originally from Flat Lake, Alta., said coming to Neilburg is like coming home and is a great way to end his 2014 touring season.
After the Neilburg dates, Kissel will be taking a break over Christmas and is looking forward to having time to reflect on the past year. "It's hard to take it all in," he said, adding there was no way he could have predicted he and his band would have "as much fun and as much success as we've had this year."
Besides Juno Breakthrough Artist of the Year, Kissel's 2014 accolades include the title of Best New Country Artist, a Canadian Radio Music award, and two Canadian Country Music Association awards - CMT Video of the Year (3-2-1) and Interactive Artist of the Year. Currently 24 years old, Kissel is the youngest ever nominee for a Canadian Country Music Association award.
Three of Kissel's songs reached Top 10 Single status this year - Started with a Song, Raise Your Glass and 3-2-1.
After the Christmas break, in mid-January, Kissel will be sailing off on the Grand Ole Opry country music Caribbean cruise out of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. On board ship he will be on the play bill alongside such stars as Martina McBride and Charlie Pride. With family, friends and band members booking tickets on the cruise, Kissel is looking forward to "a very fun time," before heading back out on tour later in 2015.
Dale Herbert describes Kissel as "just the nicest, down-to-earth young guy you could ever meet. I have had a soft spot in my heart for Brett from the first time I met him." Dale added, "He's been such a success story in the past year I don't think he needs me anymore but we are very, very, grateful to him for coming back to Neilburg every year when we know he could be making more money at shows elsewhere."
Remembering back to 2011 and Kissel's first performance in Neilburg, Dale said, "We can't thank those enough who trusted us that first year and came out to the unknown to support us. Many of those that came that first year have never missed a year." Since then, attendees have come from as far away as Saskatoon and Asquith, and even from Okotoks, Alta., and Abbotsford, B.C.
The Speckle Park Association uses the funds they raise at the event to promote speckle park cattle across Canada and beyond, especially to commercial cattle ranchers. They will have displays at cattle shows, run newspaper ads and work with 4-H. They also hire industry speakers to come and share expertise and knowledge with all cattle ranchers.
Kissel himself has speckle park cattle at the home ranch in Flat Lake. After his first appearance in Neilburg, he was paid with a purebred bull. "My dad absolutely loved the speckle park offspring," he said. Now Kissel and his father have started their own speckle park herd.
The personal friendship that has developed between Kissel and the Herberts no doubt helps in bringing Kissel back to Neilburg. This year Kissel will be coming to Neilburg from an event in Phoenix, Ariz., that he is doing for the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League.
From the NHL to a Saskatchewan cattle association may seem an unlikely progression but Kissel said, "I couldn't be happier to return. It's one of those annual events they do so well and we have so much fun. I hope never to miss it."
On the part of the organizers, Dale said, "He's got such a big heart and there's just no words to express how much we, the SSPA and the community appreciate him coming."
To enjoy a catered banquet featuring speckle park beef and to kick up your heels to Brett Kissel, live in Neilburg, contact the village office or the Saskatchewan Speckle Park Association for tickets.
