By Whitney South – Special to SWOMP
Alberta’s own Brett Kissel has continued to embrace his reputation as one of Canada’s most dynamic and beloved country artists. With over a decade’s worth of No. 1 hits, including Airwaves, Drink About Me, A Few Good Stories, and Make a Life, Not a Living — not to mention critically acclaimed albums such as The Compass Project (2023) and Let Your Horses Run (2025) — his music continues to evolve and captivate listeners nationwide.
Now, Brett is making his much-anticipated return to London Music Hall in celebration of the venue’s 20th anniversary, on Sunday, Sept. 7 — a show he hopes will be both memorable and meaningful, not only for the fans, but for himself, the band and crew as well.
And, fact is, it’s far from his first rodeo in the Forest City.
Historically, Brett’s numerous past — and often sold-out — local performances have been met with not only thunderous applause, but a sense of homecoming that truly resonates with the musician, with London holding a special place in his heart, even beyond the stage.
We recently chatted with the multi-CCMA and JUNO winner about what makes London Music Hall a treasured venue, new music on the horizon, and how that one particular city found halfway between Toronto and Detroit came to be known as Lucky London.
WS: So, Brett, this week, you’re returning to London Music Hall once again — this time during their 20th anniversary year. It’s no secret you’ve enjoyed a really great past with the venue, sometimes even playing multiple shows in just one visit — selling out more often than not. What is it that you love about London Music Hall?
BK: I simply think — and I’m allowed to say this because I’ve played probably every venue across Canada multiple times — London Music Hall is just one of the best venues on the planet in terms of every single touch point. From the time you load in, to the time you play the show, to the time you get back on the bus and drive to the next city, London Music Hall treats their team and their artists incredibly well. And all of that comes into play when you’re selecting one of the best venues in the country. We love playing there because we’re treated so well, and the fan engagement is arguably some of the best in any place we’ve ever played. So, the minute their team reached out to my agent and said, ‘Hey, we’d like Brett to be part of the 20th year,’ I don’t even think we talked numbers, nor did I even care what they were going to pay me, or if they were going to pay me. It was just a yes, because I love the venue that much.
WS: We have to bring up Lucky London as a whole, because as much as you love London Music Hall, you seem to just love London in general. You got your Country Album of the Year JUNO here in 2019, you got your first CCMA Fans’ Choice Award here in 2016, finally beating reigning champion Johnny Reid. So, what is it about London that you love, other than the fact we keep giving you awards?
BK: Well, that’s something you kind of can’t put into words and you can’t even describe — how there’s one city in all of Canada that I have a nickname for, in terms of Lucky London. Like, why is that city in particular the place where I’ve won the most memorable awards of my career? And why is it the place that has some of the best memories I’ve ever had performing? You know, even back to the Memorial Cup, 11 or 12 years ago in 2014. Getting a chance to do the anthem and watch my Edmonton Oil Kings win, getting an opportunity to meet Bobby Orr and hang out with Bobby Orr at Bud Gardens. One of the best shows and my favourite show I’ve ever played in my life was at Trackside Music Festival on Canada Day at the Western Fair Raceway. Why is it that all the best memories I’ve had in my career are in London? If there was ever an A&E Biography, or if I was ever lucky enough to be inducted into a Hall of Fame somewhere and they showed all these vignettes of important things in my career, everything’s going to be London, London, London. Fact is, I’m so lucky that I get to continue to keep coming back and make great memories every single time I touch down in that city.
WS: I have to admit, two of my biggest memories of Brett Kissel in London would be when you performed I Didn’t Fall in Love with your Hair on stage at the 2016 CCMAs, alongside a group of incredible women who had survived breast cancer, including your mom, as well as the socially distanced drive-in show at Western Fair during the pandemic where all the lights came out for Tough Times Don’t Last Tough People Do. I think it’s safe to say both had a huge impact on so many people.
BK: My mom coming out was a surprise the CCMA actually put together, to have my mom flown to London. I haven’t played that song much since, to be honest, because it’s so emotional. Those ladies were just incredible and amazing, and it was an honour to have them there on stage with me — and that was one of the toughest times I ever actually played that song. As far as the drive-in goes, I remember the moment perfectly. And not only were people in the audience able to watch safely from their cars, but they were able to watch on a live YouTube broadcast as well from across Canada. That was really important because my tour manager Kevin Bushey had to stay in the Maritimes, and my first show at Western Fair ever was the first time he and I worked together. So, it was amazing I could still share that moment with him, and everyone else. It was a great moment but it was also really hard because every single time I’ve ever been to London, I’ve been able to hug the fans — I’ve been able to reach out for handshakes and high-fives. It was a very, very emotional time for me and for everybody else, obviously, but we were all still able to make it such a special memory.
WS: With the CCMAs fast approaching, and with six nominations for 2025, is there any award you have your sights set on more than any other? Or were there any nominations that you considered a pleasant surprise?
BK: That’s a lot. Yeah, of course it’s all pretty cool, and as always, we’re so grateful to be recognized — this year, especially A Kissel Country Christmas being nominated for Country Music Program or Special of the Year. That’s really something. I’m honoured to get that nomination. It was a great program and we’re all really proud of it. My kids got to join me to introduce songs, and we wanted to make it the most wholesome little radio show that anyone would ever want around the holiday season. Any time you’re acknowledged for something you put so much hard work into, whether it’s Album of the Year, or Single or Video, or the numerous times the guys in the band have received nods for their hard work as well, individually, it’s always a proud moment. We’ve had a great year, and it all starts with a great record. Let Your Horses Run is what I think is my best album, and like I said, it’s great to get that recognition. The boys in the band played on that record, and Jim (Cressman) worked his ass off, you know, promoting that record and promoting me as an artist. We played so many shows, and we had a significant tour that took us across Canada. This year’s CCMAs are going to be a moment for all of us to have a nice steak dinner and drink a couple good drinks and celebrate — and then get to work on the next one, because we’ve got some great momentum right now.
WS: Knowing your first-ever CCMA nomination (Rising Star in 2006) was almost 20 years ago, we wanted to ask you — since you’re clearly a CCMA vet at this point — what you think of this year’s crop of Breakthrough Artist nominees. Any thoughts?
BK: Well, everybody has had a remarkable year in their own way. And I don’t know if you could find five artists that are more different than each other. That’s what’s really unique about Canadian country right now, is the diversity of the genre. And diversity can mean a bunch of different things — how wildly different Noeline Hofmann is from Cameron Whitcomb, and Cam is from Zach McPhee, and Zach is from Tony Stevens, and Tony is from Sacha. Sacha has been around for a few years, and she has definitely hit a new stride with a Top 10 record. She’s done a great job. Noeline seems to be everybody’s favourite, because she’s such a great human and a great artist. She’s bringing back the western in country and western. You know, Zach has opened for me a couple times and he’s got this incredible team behind him — you know the Boots & Hearts team and Republic Live aren’t just going to get behind anybody, they’re only going to get behind somebody that they believe is going to be a superstar. Then you’ve got Mr. Stevens. I don’t know if anybody would have thought that Tony as a true indie would have done what he’s done. So that needs to be complimented. But then you’ve got the guy that I think has the opportunity to win the award in Cameron. He’s gotten hundreds of millions of streams and has really broken internationally in the United States and in Canada. People just love him. And that’s going to stand for something. So, I think it’s between Noeline and Cam. I think those are the two front-runners, but at the same time, if it happens for Sacha or Tony or for Zach, I’m going to be a very, very happy friend, because those are three people that I also love and respect a lot.
WS: Let’s get back to that momentum you were talking about earlier. Tell us about the new music, what’s coming up? Tell us everything.
BK: For the first time in my life, I’m taking it song by song. Instead of writing towards a project, I’m truly looking at it one at a time. Once I have enough material for a record, I’ll go in and record. I think I’ve got a working title . . . and I’m writing a lot of different things, but I need the time now to be creative. I’ve been so busy performing that now I need to take time to recharge my batteries and get down to it again. I have seasons of creativity, and then I’ve got seasons of just being busy on the road, and it’s OK to have both. I’m so lucky to have that, and such a well-rounded career. But do I know what’s next? No. Do I know what songs are coming up? Not necessarily. I just recorded a song the other day that I love, and if I feel passionate enough about it maybe I’ll just release it. Why not? There are no rules anymore, and I’m caring a lot more now about caring less. About balance. About finding what works best for me and how I can be at my best. Maybe that’s the most truthful quote of the whole damn day. I’m just surrendering to whatever comes and I can’t wait to see what happens.
Be sure to catch Brett Kissel as he takes over London Music Hall on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, as one of the venue’s 20th anniversary concert series line-up, which carries on through December.
Founded by Mike Manuel, Vicki Manuel, and family, London Music Hall has been a cornerstone of Canada’s live music scene for two decades. From legendary performances to unforgettable nights, the venue has played host to internationally acclaimed artists and emerging talent, all while fostering a vibrant, loyal community of music lovers.
For more info on what’s coming to LMH, or to purchase tickets, visit www.londonmusichall.com.
All photos from a 2024 performance by Kissel at London Music Hall.
Photo credit: Whitney South