Regardless of how you get there, Nashville (a.k.a. Music City) has beckoned many aspiring musicians, songwriters, and producers. This includes six artists from Niverville: Brady Kenneth, Gerry St. Cyr, Shaun St. Cyr, Jordan St. Cyr, and Evan St. Cyr.
Gerry St. Cyr started playing acoustic guitar and singing folk music when he was 19. “I went to Nashville for the first time about seven years ago,” says Gerry. “That’s when I began to realize how awesome songwriting can be. It led me on a whole other journey.”
The journey to Nashville soon inspired the rest of his family. Back in 2013, a regional competition called The Great Canadian Song Search came to Winnipeg. Gerry’s second-born son Jordan took part.
“After, I was somewhat discovered by another songwriter, Jaylene Johnson,” Jordan says. “[She] eventually saw the potential in me and took me to Nashville a year later.”
Evan, the youngest of the St. Cyr brothers, started his musical journey playing in bands with Jordan and Shaun. This included the heavy metal band Fallen, Groundswell, Lady Venom, and Red Riot. He even dabbled in pop music with friend and co-writer Brady Friesen in a band called Gin n’ Tronic.
“This was my transition from band to producer,” says Evan. “I started really taking it seriously. In late 2012, I built a studio with Marshall Krahn and my dad.” Niverville-based Arcade Studios has so far recorded and produced three records for local artists. “A producer has to know all the aspects of music. Learning the writing [and] learning the engineering on a Nashville level to be a competitor in the market is mandatory for me.”
The eldest St. Cyr brother, Shaun, got into music at age 12, when his dad bought him a piano. He went from lead singer in Fallen to rhythm guitar and back-up vocals in bands with his brothers.
“Back then, as far as songwriting, I wrote a few, but most of them were written by Jordan,” Shaun says. “Then I moved into the band Whiskey Talks with Chad Friesen, Joel Enns, and Jarred Lawrence.”
This last month was Shaun’s first trip to Nashville. “The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) holds a conference,” Shaun adds, “and my brother Jord really encouraged me to go, and it was life-changing for me.”
Brady Dyck, now known professionally as Brady Kenneth, is no stranger to Nashville himself. Growing up, Brady heard his dad playing guitar and picked it up at age 12.
“I finally settled in with a metal band named Still Village, who I fronted for about eight years,” Kenneth says. “About four years ago, I went through some big changes in my life and somehow caught the country bug. I did a solo record, called Backroads, out of my living room. Then Evan and I decided to get serious about it, and teamed up to write my new EP, That’s the Way She Goes.”
Contrary to popular belief, country music isn’t the only music played in the state of Tennessee. “Even though Nashville is primarily country, it’s starting to expand. The indie scene in Nashville is huge,” says Jordan, who is primarily a roots and folk artist. “Nashville answered a lot of questions for me as far as finding a place where I fit in. When you’re being affirmed by Tom Johnson of the Doobie Brothers, saying, ‘Man, you got an awesome voice,’ you’re gonna take that home with you and you’re gonna sing the best concert of your life.”
The southern hospitality is palpable. When you go into a café or bar, you’ll always be greeted with a friendly, “How y’all doing today?” And according to one of the locals, there are never any bar fights.
“Nashville draws musical talent because of the way the community embraces musicians,” says Shaun. “I mean, they accept you, whoever you are or where you’re from or what level you’re at… You can make a lot of connections real fast. No one judges you for where you’re at, but just encourages you to be better.”
On his most recent trip, Evan had the opportunity to work with top-line engineers and producers. “To be surrounded by talent, it humbles you in a way that you want to learn. If you’re up for the challenge, you have your road cut out for you.”
Gerry, who definitely will be returning to Nashville at some point, says, “Nashville is known as the Mecca. If you’re serious about your craft and getting better, you just have to go. I would encourage anyone who has a dream in music, when it comes to writing songs, that’s the place to go.”
Brady Kenneth will open for The Washboard Union on the mainstage at this year’s Niverville fair. Jordan and Shaun St. Cyr will also be performing, along with other local musicians, on Friday night.
