01/13/2025
The 2025 Opry North Country Music Festival, June 5th to 7th in Stirling Ontario, Makes Welcome to Our Stage an Incredible Band that boast Multiple Canadian Country Music Awards between them. Please give a warm Opry North Welcome to Southbound.
SOUTHBOUND
RICK LOUCKS – Lead Vocals, Bass Guitar
Growing up in the small town of St. Williams, Ontario, Rick
starting playing bass and singing Country music when he was 17
years old. The youngest of 3 boys, he credits his father and oldest
brother for introducing him to the traditional Country sounds of
George Jones, Merle Haggard and Vern Gosdin. From there,
songs by George Strait, Alan Jackson and Keith Whitley have
always held their place on Rick’s set lists. A traditionalist by
choice, Rick can also “kick it” with Today’s Country and knows
the importance of mixing it up to keep the audience dancing!
In 1999 Rick finished in the top 10 of the Male Open category at the Canadian Open Country Singing Contest held for many years in Simcoe, Ontario, and he did it with his first entry to the
competition!
He has shared a stage with some of Canada’s most respected artists in Country music including Johnny Burke, Marie Bottrell, Terry Sumsion, Hee Haw funny-man Gordie Tapp and even
Grammy award winning polka king Walter Ostenek!
Two years straight, Rick head-lined the Friday night show at the week-long Auction Barn Jamboree held annually in Colborne, Ontario. Country stars Gene Watson, bluegrass songbird
Rhonda Vincent, Moe Bandy and Grand Ole Opry star Jeannie Shepard have also made appearances at this event in recent years and “filled the seats”!
In September 2014, Rick opened a show at the Sanderson Centre in Brantford, ON for one of his all-time heroes, the incredible Gene Watson. When asked about the experience Rick sincerely
replied “Awesome, truly a night I’ll never forget”.
September 2015 saw Rick performing at the Marmora Jamboree and the 2015 Spencerville Fall Fair where he opened shows for Country great Moe Bandy.
DWAYNE FRIESEN – Lead and Acoustic
Guitars, Lead & Harmony Vocals
Dwayne was exposed to music at a very young age. Growing up near Port Rowan, Ontario, his family enjoyed some traditional Country music but dearly loved the sweet acoustic sounds of
Bluegrass music, and still do today.
As a boy, Dwayne spent many summers camped at Bluegrass festivals watching his father perform. It didn’t take long for Dwayne to pick up an acoustic guitar and start playing it. Soon he was one of the performers! However, he didn’t stop there. He’s also pretty darn good with a mandolin and a very talented up-right bass player too!
One of Dwayne’s first “Country” gigs was a young, 4 man group known locally as RimShot. It was in this band that Dwayne really got hooked on the “gritty” Nashville sounds of the Fender
Telecaster. Many years later, he’s still hooked! No stranger to performing in front of large crowds, Dwayne spent years touring
with the late Terry Sumsion as a member of the Terry Sumsion Trio.
Like the other members of Southbound, he too has shared stages with some of Canada’s top artists, and during his time with the above mentioned Trio, opened a show for Nashville recording artist John Conlee! Remember Rose Colored Glasses?
Recently, Dwayne was thrilled to have the opportunity to play along side US Country entertainers Jim Ed Brown, Helen Cornelius and Marty Haggard as they passed through Canada on tour.
When not on stage with the boys of Southbound, Dwayne tours regularly with Canada’s Country sweetheart, Naomi Bristow.
Not only a terrific musician, Dwayne is a very respected sound man as well.
CHARLIE AGRO – Drums
Charlie also got interested in music at an early age. Growing up in Tillsonburg, Ontario his first band gig came at the age of 17, in a group called Touch Of Class. From there he spent the next few years playing drums in his father’s dance band, one of the most popular groups in that area at the time! It wasn’t long before Charlie became a very sought after musician.
One of the first Country bands he played in was a very talented, 6 piece group called Kix. Able to play an incredibly wide range of music, night after night, these boys rocked!
By now, Charlie had become well known on the drums for his solid shuffles, dependable halftimes and powerful ballads. Eventually groups Amarillo, Jean Cameron & High Ground, The
Blue Waves, and the incredible Danielle Hainer, would all benefit from his talent. More recently Charlie has worked with Canadian legend Johnny Burke, the very talented Wendy Lynn Snider, and Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame member Marie Bottrell.
For 4 years, Charlie “held the beat” in Band A, backing up inspiring contestants at the Canadian Open Country Singing Contest. Throughout its history, this annual event would draw thousands
of singers, songwriters and supporters from across Canada. For one weekend a year the relatively small town of Simcoe, Ontario would be the focal point of Canadian Country music and Charlie was right in the middle of it all!
No stranger to session work, one of Charlie’s best memories was the opportunity he had to play on the inspirational Terry Sumsion song , “Highway of Heros”.
A true performer live, Charlie thrives on crowds big or small, at any sized venue. When it comes to drummers, Charlie’s the real deal!
DOUG JOHNSON – Steel Guitar &
Harmony Vocals
Doug lives in the city of Brantford, Ontario and has been involved with music for many years. Doug was playing pedal steel for some of Canada’s best singers long before he was considered old enough. His unique talent and love for Country music happened
when he was quite young, and he’s never looked back. Widely respected in the music community, Doug brings 110% to every appearance.
A veteran of both stage and studio, Doug is constantly sought after for recording and fill in work. Winner of Canada’s Steel Guitar Player of the Year, it would be far easier to name the
entertainers he hasn’t worked with than those he has! Canadian artists Jason Blaine, Thomas Wade & Wayward, Terry Sumsion, and Terri Clark are only a few of the talented performers that Doug has worked with over the years. He even played a show with The Walters Family at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee! Over the last few years Doug has toured with 2 of his all time idols, Gene Watson and Moe Bandy during their visits to Canada. A regular in Band A at the annual Auction Barn Jamboree,
this year he’ll once again be working with some of the most gifted singers and entertainers that
Canada and the United States has to offer. How cool is that!
In most cases, if the topic of steel guitar or gifted steel guitar players happens to come up in conversation, the name Doug Johnson will at some point be mentioned. He has long been
considered one of the best steel guitar players our country has ever had. His incredible love for Country music never fades, you can hear it every time you see him
perform.
He truly has amazing talent.
SCOTT WOODS - 'THE FLIPPIN FIDLER'
Scott's love of fiddling has been passed down through six generations. He studied classical violin from age four and plays several instruments: drums, bass, piano, guitar, saxophone and clarinet. Scott is a multiple winner of the Canadian Open Fiddle Contest, the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Championships and a Canadian Fiddle Entertainer of the Year. Scott's famous trick fiddling routine where he turns somersaults and walks on a barrel while playing his fiddle has earned him the nickname "the Flippin' Fiddler" and three consecutive Canadian Novelty Fiddle Championship titles. For seven years Scott was the musical director of Memories of Don Messer's Jubilee, which toured extensively in Canada. Scott lives in Fergus, Ontario, enjoys riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle and travelling with his Airstream trailer.
*Don't Miss your chance to see and hear 1 of the most Decorated and entertaining bands in Canada...Southbound at The Opry North Country Music Festival, June 5th to 7th, 2025 at The Stirling Fairgrounds, Stirling Ontario. Call Today for Tickets and Info. 613 476-6535 or visit us at www.ticketscene.ca.
* Call Today for Tickets and Info. 613 476-6535.
Opry North Country Music Festival
MillPond Music & Entertainment Inc
Rick Loucks
www.millpondmusic.ca.
