Cochrane-born singer and song writer Lucas Chaisson will be performing at the 2018 Calgary Stampede Coca-Cola Stage on July 6. Since his self-produced debut No Loitering in 2010, Chaisson has become one of the brightest young stars in the Canadian roots music scene. His 2012 sophomore effort Growing Pains earned him the title "Young Performer of the Year" at the Canadian Folk Music Awards. The strong songwriting showcased on his recordings, and his ability to make an emotional connection with his audience has garnered him the opportunity to play high-profile venues such as the Edmonton, Calgary, Canmore, Vancouver Island and Winnipeg Folk Festivals. Recorded in Nashville with Grammy award winning producer Colin Linden, Chaisson's 2015 album titled Telling Time was released to much acclaim. Chaisson was short-listed for the Edmonton Music Prize, received a nomination for "Solo Roots Recording of The Year" at the Western Canadian Music Awards and seven Edmonton Music Award nominations that earned him Singer-Songwriter of The Year and Country Recording of The Year. Telling Time received considerable airplay on Canadian college radio, CBC, CKUA, SIRIUS and XM as well as several independently programmed stations in the United States. A seamless blend of folk, roots, blues and country flavours, this recording illustrates the unique sound Chaisson has been working towards for years. Currently taking time to work on his fourth full length recording, Chaisson has kept busy work-shopping new material at venues around Alberta and performing often as a regular member of alt-country band Lucette. As for his most recent achievement, the Cochrane performer was very excited when he was contacted to perform at the greatest outdoor show on earth. "It was pretty cool to hear that I had been selected to play (at the Coca-Cola Stage). I've seen lots of shows there over the years and I've played at Stampede before in different contexts but this is the first time on the Coca-Cola Stage," Chaisson said. "The organizers got a hold of me through my booking email on my website but I think they got my name from this radio contest (Wild 95.3 Project Wild) as lots of alumni from that contest are performing on the Coke Stage this year." Chaisson is a household name here in our province of Alberta, but hopes to build to his fan base from playing at a world renowned event such as Stampede by adding in a few new songs off the new album he's been working on. "I think it can definitely grow my fan base if they decide to go see shows on the Coke Stage. A lot of those people who are attending those shows during Stampede, aren't typically ones who would go see my show when I'm playing in different cities. There's a pretty big opportunity there for me to make a new fan base," Chaisson said. "I'm currently working on a new record. It won't be released before Stampede, but I'll definitely be playing that new material for the show." Chaisson will be taking to the stage at 1:30 p.m. on the opening day of Stampede. The Coca-Cola Stage is free to anyone who paid admission to get into the park.
