RGK Entertainment Group

Congrats to ORR / RGK Entertainment Group president Ron Kitchener on winning Industry Person of the Year at the 2019 CMAOntario Awards! 📸: Grant Martin Photography

NASHVILLE! Don’t miss The Road Hammers, Madeline Merlo & Hunter Brothers at CMA Fest!!

The RGK Entertainment Group and Open Road families are shattered today with the passing of Daniel Di Giacomo. Words alone cannot describe his character and talents but Dan brightened up every room with his presence. His humour was one of a kind; the clever wit and those impressions, he held hold court for hours when allowed.

Our sincere condolences to his family and the boys from River Town Saints. Missing you Pal, RIP. - Ron and your entire RGK family.

https://www.gofundme.com/support-for-di-giacomo-family

Heaven gained the world's funniest bass player today. As some of you may have already heard, Dan passed away last night unexpectedly. We're all in shock, and trying to figure out the next steps as we go. Many of you have reached out with kind words and prayers and we can't tell you how much this means to his family, and us - his band family. Anyone who had ever met Dan for more than 2 seconds knew that he was the funniest, wittiest and most genuine dude on earth. A heart of gold, wicked sense of humour, and killer hip-hop cred. To say we will miss him is beyond an understatement. Obviously we ask for privacy for Dan's family at this time. If you are able to donate, a GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help his family with funeral costs. We'll see you again brother - until then, keep holding down the low end up there. Love RTS.

That’s a wrap!

15 acts of kindness in 15 weeks to celebrate 15 years of Open Road Recordings!

The Open Road Recordings team and I had great fun with these initiatives and we were able to donate just under $18,500 in those efforts. Thanks again to the team, artists and all our partners for 15 great years and making all these efforts possible! - Ron

Goosebumps.

Stunning New Video from Jessica Mitchell Did you fall in love with Jessica Mitchell at the CCMA Awards? Watch the stunning new video for 'Maybe It's Me', the first single off her debut EP.

Week 15 of 15:

As mentioned 15 weeks ago, Open Road launched its first release, Doc Walker’s 'Everyone Aboard' this week 15 years ago at the CCMA Awards. It was 2003 and Calgary was the host city.

Our final Act Of Kindness goes to a fun-filled, musical driven, animal awareness event Friday in Hamilton!

Dogs bring so much comfort and joy to individuals and families. While it’s a shame many have to be rescued, I’m thankful these great volunteers exist and are so passionate about rehabilitating and finding new homes for these canines.
We are very happy to donate $1000 to the event supporting Team Dog Rescue, Ladybird Animal Sanctuary, Danes In Distress and more!

On a personal note my mother Gail Neilson was a dog rescuer and major supporter of dog rescue programs. This final Act of Kindness is in her honour.

Week 14 of 15:

The news on August 10th of the shootings from Fredericton, NB that took four innocent lives including two police officers who dedicated their lives to protecting others was shocking and traumatizing to all across the country let alone the Maritimes.

As always, when tragedies occur in Canada or elsewhere in the world, musicians step up. Artists of all genres offer their social platforms to rally support or draw attention to the needs and donate their time to perform. On Saturday, October 6th, The Fredericton Strong Benefit Concert at the Aitken Centre will feature among others David Myles, Ria Mae, Matt Mays, Classified, Tebey and our own, Madeline Merlo.

All proceeds will be donated to three key support services who helped those impacted immediately and will continue to service the community as they work towards recovery. The Canadian Red Cross in New Brunswick, The Chalmers Foundation and The Canadian Mental Health Association of New Brunswick.

Our friends at NewCap Broadcasting and Bell Media have been key to organizing, supporting and promoting this event to keep .

As part of Open Road’s 15 acts of kindness we will be joined by our good friends and associates at The Feldman Agency in purchasing a block of 26 tickets for affected family members and first responders to attend the concert.

Get your tickets here: http://hyperurl.co/FStickets

Week 13 of 15:

Small farming towns in the prairies contribute greatly to Canada’s wider economy and are often a story line in country music.

'Born & Raised' by the Hunter Brothers is a perfect example of this idea. J.J, Dusty, Luke, Brock and Ty from Shaunavon, Saskatchewan grew up farming, playing hockey and singing gospel and country music.

The brothers are preparing new music to release this Fall and the RGK / Open Road team could not be more excited.

On August 3rd, Hunter Brothers played the annual Winkler Harvest Festival & Exhibition in Manitoba and the next day participated in the CCI Harvest for Kids fundraising effort to break the world record for “most harvester combines working simultaneous in a single field” which they did, 303 of them!! Congratulations!

The effort raised funds for CCI (Children’s Camps International) and as part of Open Road’s 15 Acts of Kindness we are donating money to ccicamps.com to sponsor a camp!

Week 12 of 15: Thousands of music fans made it through the late afternoon thunderstorms to see Dean Brody rock Budweiser Stage in Toronto last Friday night! This marked the second August in a row for Dean and his ace band to headline the waterfront Amphitheatre.

Alan Doyle​ and Michael Ray​ warmed up the crowd and performances from guests; Jess Moskaluke​, Charlie Major​ and Dallas Arcand made for a one of a kind evening of music and inspiration.

Dean’s heart is as big as his hits. Over the past several years he has quietly but passionately supported efforts to build safe houses in Brazil to protect innocent young girls that are lead or sold into prostitution. He has put boots on the ground there (in dangerous circumstances) & worked with others to rally local government leaders to work harder towards a solution. Dean’s now putting similar efforts into Covenant Children's Homes, India.

Very proud to manage Dean and be part of his success and happy to support The Dean Brody Foundation with a financial contribution this week as part of . - Ron
📸: Francesca Ludikar

Week 11 of 15: Summer festivals are a big part of country music culture and for “developing” artists, the busiest touring time of the year.

Madeline Merlo has had a summer of festival fun from BC to Ontario with a few more to go. Last weekend she killed it with a high energy set at Boots & Hearts near Orillia, Ontario.

Her latest and infectious summer jam “Neon Love” is on its way to top 10 at radio and seeing millions of Streams and video views. Another reason we are so excited about Madeline’s future.

Beyond her big voice, charm and world class talent Madeline is a “giving” soul and has pledged a portion of her Merchandise sales this summer to local Mental Health Centres in the communities she’s playing. As part of , we are excited to match her contributions 100% so more money can make it to these facilities that are so important in helping those in need.

Dekker Centre - Battlefords Mental Health Centre

Centerfield Music Festival - St. Paul Mental Health Service

Party in the Park - Child and Youth Mental Health at Children's Health Foundation of Vancouver Island

Jubilee Park - Spruce Grove Children’s Community Mental Health Clinic (Stan Woloshyn Building)

The Crazy Horse Stonegrill Steakhouse & Saloon - Kanata Psychology and Counselling Centre

Boots & Hearts Music Festival - Community Mental Health Services at Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital

Penticton Peach Festival - Penticton Mental Health

- Ron
📸: Whitney South

Week 10 of 15: Had a very rewarding visit last week to Antigonish, NS for Special Olympics Canada.

So inspired by the joy of so many athletes representing their provinces in the various sporting events. The teamwork, talent and competitive spirit was fantastic and they were energized by the crowds cheering them on.

Very fortunate to meet Dr Frank Hayden whose research and efforts with the Kennedy Foundation 50 years ago started the first Special Olympics in Chicago. He and his wife Marion continue to be great ambassadors to the games.

Our family friend, star aquatics athlete and country music fan Emily Boycott swam some great races and ended up with two silver medals for Ontario. Congratulations Emily!

A very enjoyable and touching day where I was able to present a $1500 cheque as part of to the lovely Sharon Bollenbach, CEO of Special Olympics Canada. Well done to Sharon, her team and the folks of Antigonish! - Ron