4w MITCHELL ADVOCATE WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 Local flavour promises to add to Mitchell's Tailgate Music Festival Max Smith's country career just getting offthe ground ANDY BADER If anyone can say that music is in their blood, it’s Max Smith. The youngest son of Les Smith and Stephanie Martin, who have both built their lives around music inand around the > region, Smithi is one of Asecond single, Ready To Go, will be released on Sept. 18 just in time for Tailgate. Ironically enough, his mom says Max showed the least inter- est in pursuing music, which he acknowledges. “I just went to work and didn’t really think aboutit too much. We did it for: a and it ended up work- ing out,” he said. Smith was asked by a board member of the West shat Village Seniors’ Community and its part- ner, Spottydawg Productions, if he wanted to have his fledgling act on atthe Tailgate Music Festival that’s taking place in Mitchell Sept. 20. “It'sbeen around, so Ikind ofhad to pickit up,” he. ae withachuckle luring a recent intervi and his older brothers, Due Jesse and Lucas, are also musicians and play various genres. Max is just the latest to hit the wrote a couple of years ago with Jesse’s help -- has proven to be successful. “We kind of sat down one night andhe started pryingme open: aes newly opened faciityinMitehel He jumped at the ch: “We're pumped,” He cate “The rors and I can’t wait to put ona wtchel native. Adam oe is for sure. Being sound ie all the time is so fun an iring. It was definitely aplace Tm going to ain.” goa The Tailgate Music Festival is headlined by Newmarket’s Ste- ven Lee Olsen while two other performers have some sort of connection to Mitchell and West Perth: Bradley Hale, who’s mater- nal grandparents and other rela- tives live in the municipality, and Adam Cousins, Lees sister, Pam Hinz, lives in Mitchell Janna Leduc of MINES, a frequent performer of The Boar's Head in Stratford, and Amelia Jordan of the Kitchener-Waterloo areaare also scheduled to perform. Food trucks and a FEATURING AX SMITH West Perth native Max Smith will be one of the opening acts of the upcom- ing We Nee Festival that’s set to take place in Mitchell’s Keterson Park Sept. 2 first performers hitting the stage from roughly 6p. m.. to 10:30 pm., tent will be on site in Keterson Park, with the main stage set up behind the arena not far from the is also on guitar and Eric ae plays drums. Smith has see recently been added to the Spottydawg show in Stratford on Nov. a Beadiined by The Washboard U1 Smith, who oiled 21 a few months ago in Nashville, the heart and home of country music, said ingI ‘ apa got it out of me and we wrote a good tune,” he said. “It’s just ate life doing wrong and trying to fixitand tying to do right.” oy was one helluva time. ... I wan he sai corner of the grounds. Advance tickets are still avail- able for $49.99 or, if still available at the door, $59.99, They are avail- ee at West Perth Village, from any member of the West Perth Village board, Turning Heads Sa- lon & Spa in Mitchell, and Joe’s Diner in Stratford. Families are encouraged to attend as it is not anage-of-majority event, although ed foracouple of Canadian: Country neater awards -- begins his set that ev Limited pais parking will be available on site while other parking will be made available in town, preferably the high school and Upper Thames parking lots a few blocks awa Smith lists Olsen as one of the acts he listened to all the time and is Peeing a fantastic evening of His hair might not be as long, but the guitar licks are likely similar as Max Smith - then four-years-old while performing at the Mitchell Fall Fair in 2007 as part of the air band competition - gets set to perform “To; pla lay with him is pretty cool. Wwe) Te going to be doing some, ore: “Tt was my first time there and it was all I could ever imagine, that’s ane upon arrival. scams 2 See 5p.m.,with the in Mitchell as part of the Tailgate Music Festival Sept. 20 not far from je arena stage. ANDY BADER “IellbeemaGyands each indie. rope will love it!” United Way Perth-Huron raffling Taylor Swift tickets { for | housing initiative Attention, Swifties. Ifyou missed out on a chance to spend thousands of dollars on Tay- lor Swift tickets, you might get to watch the pop Se me inconcert for a fraction of the co: The United Way san ‘Huron announced recently it’s holding a charity raffle for two tickets donat- ed by Dr. Erin and Mike Heisz to see Swift's performance in Toron- to on Nov. 23. The raffle supports United Way’s United Housing ini- tiative, the region’s firstnon-profit housing organization dedicated to cea and operating mixed rental units. “We are so appreciative of Erin and Mike for providing these two tickets,” United Housing direc- tor Kathy Vassilakos said. “We are thrilled to offer local Taylor Swift fans the chance to experi- ence the Eras Tour while support- ing a cause that directly impacts our community. Every ticket purchased helps us continue to build on our mission to provide affordable eune solutions for those in nee: ‘he two aa floor tickets are in section C3, row 10, and are part of the Karma is My Boyfriend ut Rpeeiee iactading four ot brings to our Se Erin said. “We h: our own families and workplaces the difficulties obtaining safe and affordable SIE in Perth-Hu- re and als i wee toa truly meaningful cause. Tickets are $10 each, and the draw will take place on Oct. 23, at Junction 56 Distillery in Stratford starting at 6:30 p.m. ‘The winner il i Th Swit Eras’ Tour VIP. tote bag, Pin, sek ets must be 18 or older. 50; ae that 100 per cent vot the Business selling raffle a | nate and matching lany “United Hoasined is a cause that our family passionately supports, recognizing the immense value it ticket and special VIP tour ae yard. in Perth County include: Stationery, Juno, Junction ee Gand s affordable, we hopetogive the United Ce: wesallin Stratford; every Taylor Swift fan the chance ‘Clothing and Gifts to experience an unforgettable oe 1 Jewellers in Listow- concert while also contributivig™ “él; and Sun Rayz, in St. Marys. ou initiative. By making the raffle ticket: