Killarney Guide

Kissel for Christmas? Get your tickets now!

BY JAY STRUTH

Country music star Brett Kissel is coming to Killarney on Saturday, July 6 to headline the Kick Off To Summer Concert.

He’s “beyond excited” for Killarney’s third annual one-day festival, after hearing glowing reviews from his friends, and last year’s headliners, The Reklaws. 

When The Guide caught up to him recently on his farm in Flat Lake, Alberta, Brett and the band were ready to head down to The Bahamas the following day for a video shoot. 

“We’re filming a music video for my new single called Two Of Us,” said Kissel. “I’m only going down for one day. I’m literally going to fly to The Bahamas, Exuma, and then I’m flying right back up to head back on tour. So no rest and relaxation this time.”

But Brett hasn’t been too worried about rest and relaxation lately, putting “the pedal to the metal” on his current tour, with sell out show after sell out show.

“That’s the best part about it, and it’s exactly what you want as an entertainer, is to get that opportunity to go out and travel the world, and travel across Canada, and play your songs,” he said. “And when so many people are coming to see the show, it’s just the best thing in the world. We’re really, really grateful for that. Our shows out west have just been so exciting, and we just put more dates on sale. Everything has been great. We’ve got the pedal to the metal and we’re cooking with gas.”

Kissel is looking forward to a little downtime at Christmas, but his busy tour schedule isn’t bothering him in the slightest.

 “I can’t claim to be in peak physical form, but the reality is that you just have to train for it,” said Kissel of cross-country touring and back-to-back shows. “You have to do vocal warm-ups, you have to eat clean, and I’ve really got to manage my drinking, which is tough because I’m a country singer and I like a cold beer or a nice whiskey after the show.” 

Kissel said he just has to be conscious of staying rested and in good form. 

“Alcohol dehydrates you, and that’s just a fact, but at the same time I’m going to have a few drinks over Christmas and enjoy that,” added Brett, who was watching his dog curled up by the fire, in what he described as a scene fit for a Christmas card. “I’ve always got to make sure that I do the very best that I can to honour my audiences by delivering a great show night after night after night. That’s my plan and that’s what I’m going to do.”

The second annual Killarney Community Events Committee (KCEC) Canada Day Concert caught Kissel’s attention, after talking to his buddies who headlined the event.

“The Reklaws that played there last summer, they’re really good friends of mine, and they told me that it’s a great time in Killarney,” said Brett. “And that’s why I talked to my agent and said, ‘hey, did you see that Killarney, Manitoba put on a country festival. It’s like a mini Dauphin (Country Fest).’ I love small town stuff. So I’m really, really grateful that we were able to do something like this.”

Kissel loves the small town life, and has even partnered with the town of Minnedosa to help them with tourism.

“I just took on a spokesperson roll for tourism in Minnedosa, Manitoba, and that was really cool for me,” he said. “Like if anybody really wants to get to know me, they need to listen to my song I recorded called ‘Make a Life Not a Living.’ It just talks about how I love small town life, and living back on the farm. That is the truth, and I really do. I was excited to do that partnership with Minnedosa. I’m so excited to be coming to Killarney.”

There’s a long list of entertainment at this year’s Kick Off To Summer Concert in Killarney, and Brett Kissel is right at the top.

With three Platinum and ten Gold singles, two Gold-certified albums, and sixteen Top-10 radio hits, Kissel has become one of the country’s most celebrated artists. 

Having toured with legends such as Garth Brooks and Brad Paisley, and completing record breaking runs across the country, Kissel has firmly planted himself as one of Canada’s most beloved entertainers. 

Also on tap is the rest of last year’s fantastic line-up, including Justin LaBrash, Hicktown, TangleBox, and Sentinel, plus the addition of the Mike Sacharko Band, a 2023 Manitoba Country Music Awards nominee.

“I think Killarney has done an incredible job putting together a really special event, and I hope everybody gets their tickets, especially for Christmas,” said Kissel. “Get your tickets for your friends and your family, and make a great memory. Come on out and have some fun with us. We want to sell out that festival, and we want to show off our small town pride.”

Get your early bird tickets to the July 6, 2024 show now at eventbrite.com: adults (13+) $65, and children (6-12) $25, or call the Shamrock Centre at 204-523-8920. Adult tickets increase to $75 on January 1, 2024, so get yours now.

Share this story below.