Calgary Guitar Collective Guitar Showcase: ‘Talent Show’ Vol. III
Five professional guitarists, a live rhythm section, and a full ensemble finale at Prairie Dog Brewing.
Alberta has a lot of great guitar players. Most nights they’re spread across different stages, studios and bands. On December 2 we’re putting five of them on the same stage at Prairie Dog Brewing.
This is our third showcase this year, and it’s happening because so many of you came out and backed the first two. Thank you. We’re carrying that on and making this one count.
Each plays their own set with the same house band behind them, Adam Dowling on drums and Justin Kudding on bass. So in one night you get country, jazz, math rock, blues-rock and more, from five very different players.
We call it a talent show, but nobody’s being judged. Halfway through there’s a proper break to grab a drink, meet the sponsors and talk guitars with whoever’s next to you. For a lot of people that’s half the reason they come.
On the bill:
Ryan Davidson is a two-time CCMA Guitarist of the Year (2012 and 2015) with twelve nominations, and plays guitar for Gord Bamford. He’s recorded and toured with Dallas Smith, Brett Kissel and Dean Brody, and he’s on two Juno-nominated country records. Before all that he earned two Grammy nominations with the University of North Texas One O’Clock Lab Band and shared stages with Dave Brubeck. He’s a country player with a jazz player’s ears, and he’s coming down from Edmonton for this one.
Mackenzie Meding is a Red Deer College Jazz Performance graduate who writes intricate solo guitar pieces, plays in a math rock band, and mentors young players every summer at BAM! Camp. Mackenzie played our first showcase in July, and it’s great to have them back.
Devin Cooper learned guitar in his dad’s motorcycle shop in Innisfail, raised on Johnny Cash, Stevie Ray Vaughan and ZZ Top, and you can hear all three in his playing now. He’s a Country Music Alberta Horizon Male Artist of the Year, was the most-nominated solo artist at those awards in 2023 and 2025, and took “She’s My Religion” to number one on SiriusXM’s Top of the Country. He’s played Nashville North at the Stampede and shared stages with Gord Bamford, Aaron Pritchett and Lou Gramm of Foreigner.
Matt Blais is a Calgary singer, guitarist and harmonica player who has spent years on the road with his own blues-edged rock ’n’ roll. He’s a Calgary Music Awards Male Artist and Singer-Songwriter of the Year, has written with Texas guitarist Ian Moore, and has toured across Canada, including a showcase at MUSEXPO in Los Angeles. His records include The Heartbeat and In Shadow and Light.
Theo Will is a 14 year old guitarist, song writer and founder of Per Velum. His need to rock started as a toddler. He would air-guitar on his front porch with a ukulele, screaming to Twisted Sister’s “I Wanna Rock” and proclaiming his desire to make music. At seven, he began playing his first mini-strat, and he’s been playing in bands ever since, always dreaming of building something of his own.
In 2024 at the age of 12, Theo turned that dream into reality by creating Per Velum, a modern metal project that began with two local musicians and grew to include another teen member. Since then, the band has performed at venues and festivals across Alberta, earned a 2026 YYC music award and recognition, and begun work on an original Album.
Beyond the stage, Theo has a bigger vision: music is a service to humanity, and metal is for everyone. He believes heavy music in not something to be afraid of, but a meaningful way for people to express themselves, find connection and belong. Through Per Velum he’s working to make metal more accessible to audiences of all ages and genres and show that there’s room for everyone in the heavy music community.
The night closes with every player on stage together, Dan Clayton and Matty McKay included.
VIP tickets get you in at 5:45pm, before doors, for a relaxed half hour with the players. Ask them about their gear, how they got here, or just say hello. You’re also guaranteed some time with Dan and Matty to catch up and ask any questions you’ve got, plus a reserved seat at the front and a beer pour from Prairie Dog. Numbers are limited, and it’s a great way to get a little more out of the night.
Doors at 6:30pm, music from 7 to 9pm. Prairie Dog’s kitchen and bar are open all night, so come early and eat. Door prizes, all ages.
Under 20s are $15. If you know a young player, bring them. Seeing this kind of playing up close is how a lot of us got hooked.
Supported by R Guitars (calgaryguitarrepair.com) and Guitar O.R. (guitaror.ca).
Agenda
17:45 – 18:30 VIP Player Meet & Greet
18:30 – 19:00 Doors open. Check in. Mingle
19:00 – 21:00 Performances
