Itıs a sure thing that New Yearıs Day had its share of swollen skulls, aching muscles and sore blistered feet, but itıs a given that, it will be a long time until the boot and shoe heels of all the country music fans that attended the New Yearıs Eve Gala in Bentleyıs new agricultural centre will ever see this much action again. The sold out bash had close to 500 celebrators enjoying an evening of superb country music that featured local Nashville recording artists, Gord Bamford and Duane Steele. The beautiful smoke free hall boasts crystal clear acoustics that are second to none, and its super high gloss dance floor certainly received a polishing work-out from the nightıs long shoulder to shoulder two steppinı crowd.

Hard working Monkey Top Saloon-supplied waitresses made their efficient rounds catering to everyoneıs needs as Gord opened the show performing his monster radio hit Where A Cowboy Likes To Roamı along with his impressive tight 4 piece band. This of course started the eveningıs mad rush of revellers out on to the hardwoods to enjoy a non-stop, fine tuned set that included cover tunes and hits from his debut album Godıs Green Earthı. The fun loving entertainer then turned over the concert reins to singer/songwriter extraordinaire Duane Steele to strut his stuff. The multi-award winning artist also totally wowed the party crowd with hit after recognizable hit which included the ever popular I-65ı, Anita Got Marriedı and his latest chart burner, The Heart Of It Donıt Matterı. Steele later put on his gold foiled party hat and with a roaring ten second countdown, brought in 2004 with the traditional Auld Lang Syneı.

The show slowed down long enough for all to grab a quick tasty midnight supper and then it was back into party mode with Bamford, who before his closing set introduced all to 16 year old singing sensation Michael Carey from Innisfail. The moment Carey hit his first vocal note, he had everyoneıs full attention as new-found fans were literally seen picking their jaws up off their tables. The charming, soon to be huge star performed a much too short three song set that included the 1956 Leroy Van Dyke classic The Auctioneerı which totally blew away the wanting-to-hear more crowd! Michael is currently making a big buzz in the industry, having been taken under the musical wings and direction of Canadian rock legend, Randy Bachman ( The Guess Who, B.T.O, (Bachman, Turner Overdrive) and itıs obvious the youngster will soon be enjoying a successful singing career.