Killarney Guide

BY JAY STRUTH

Sixth generation Saskatchewan farmer Justin LaBrash, who opens up for The Reklaws on Canada Day in Killarney, added some big awards to his trophy case earlier this month.

LaBrash picked up Male Artist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, and Country Album of the Year at the Saskatchewan Country Music Association (SCMA) Awards on June 10, and he couldn’t be more grateful.

“I’m absolutely flabbergasted,” he said. “Late last year we released a new album (The Neon Palm Tree) that I co-produced with one of my best friends and long-time drummer Carter Kent. We recorded it in my home studio at the tail end of COVID, and amazingly it won Country Album of the Year at the SCMA Awards.”

 Now LaBrash says he just wants to carry on the momentum and have an absolutely awesome summer. His band is booked every weekend but one, which he’s taking off for his best friend’s wedding. And Canada Day in Killarney is one of the gigs he’s looking most forward to.

“The Hunter Brothers raved about this concert and how well they were treated in Killarney,” said LaBrash, who’s friends with the boys in the band that headlined last year’s concert on July 1. 

“On Canada Day I much prefer being on the road and I love getting to celebrate the greatest country in the world with the greatest music fans in the world. I’m just very excited to get out there,” he added. “We haven’t gotten the opportunity to play in Manitoba a whole ton, so I’m super pumped to get out there and have some fun with our eastern neighbours.” 

The Killarney Community Events Committee (KCEC) is ready for another colossal Canada Day festival, and this year’s headliners, The Reklaws, are also ready to celebrate (see the full story at killarneyguide.ca).

Before Justin LaBrash and The Reklaws take the stage down at the Killarney Ag Grounds, popular Treherne band Hicktown will be back to warm up the Canada Day crowd again, along with local southern Manitoba groups Tangle Box, and Sentinel. Food trucks will be available for great grub on the grounds as well.

And Killarney native and QX104 Country radio personality Brody Jackson will emcee the Canada Day party. What an event it’s going to be.

Ticket prices for the Killarney Canada Day Concert are $50 for adults, and $20 for children aged six to 12 years, and they’re available at eventbrite.com, the Shamrock Centre, and Lewis & Jones.

“It’s one day of the year that you can’t just sit at home,” added LaBrash. “I insist on being on stage somewhere someway on Canada Day, and I’m looking very forward to performing in Killarney.”

Keep scrolling for a full list of Canada Day activities below, including plenty of free ones.

RISING STAR – Rising country music star Justin LaBrash is excited to hit the stage in Killarney on Canada Day. See the full list of Canada Day activities below.