Kat Harlton
Photos provided via PR team
Seven-time Manitoba Country Music Association award winning country artist Quinton Blair, recently released his new single “Someday Sunday” on March 8th via Distrokid and all streaming platforms.
Produced by Pete Lesperance (The Washboard Union, River Town Saints, David Jones), “Someday Sunday” is an upbeat, feel-good country tune. Co-written by Quinton and Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame Inductee Jason McCoy of the award-winning band The Road Hammers, this song reflects on cherishing quality time with your loved ones and is sure to inspire listeners to realize that today is that “Someday Sunday.”
Hailing from Winnipeg and now residing in the Prairie heartland of Manitoba’s Pembina Valley and Parkland regions, Quinton’s authentic rural roots deeply influence the music he creates. When not moving a dance floor with his uptempo, boot-stompin’, brand of country music; you will find him in the roping pen, or guiding folks through the wilderness of Manitoba on horseback.
Quinton has accumulated over one million digital streams to date. His accolades include winning the 2023 Manitoba Country Music Award (MCMA) Fans Choice Award, along with multiple wins for MCMA Roots Artist of the Year, MCMA Male Artist of the Year, and the Songwriter of the Year Award for “20 Dollar Bottle.”
His mainstream crossover appeal, and ability to execute an engaging live performance to an intimate gathering or for thousands of people has presented Quinton with many opportunities to perform on stages including the Dauphin Country Fest, Calgary Stampede – Coca-Cola Stage, Rope Square, and many more. He has also shared stages with the likes of Corb Lund, Charlie Major, Terri Clark, and High Valley.
I had the opportunity to chat with Quinton about his musical journey, his new single and what’s next.
Kat: Can you share with us a bit about yourself and your music journey so far?
Quinton: I’ve been writing music for a long time now. I live on the Prairies, and I try to stick to writing about what I know. I love spending time at home, but I have too much ramble in my bones and am always doing something – riding horses, adventuring in the wilderness, or drifting around Canada playing music. I grew up on 90s country, and I love getting out and playing our take on that era of country music for any folks who will listen. Being a Western guy, I am drawn to playing turkey trail small towns rather than urban centres. It just feels like home.
Kat: Can you share the inspiration behind your latest single “Someday Sunday”?
Quinton: “Someday Sunday” is written about the restless, dreaming nature of a relationship. It’s a co-write with CCMA Hall of Fame inductee Jason McCoy about the moment in a relationship when you say ‘one day we are gonna do this’. More often than not, time and schedules steal our calendars, and the comment falls away to nothingness. This song is about making time for the ones you love, and putting them as a priority over our own perceived idea of being too busy. It’s about committing that time to those we treasure…it’s telling them that one day is today. Today is a “Someday Sunday”.
Kat: What do you hope fans take from the new track?
Quinton: As with any song you write and record, I hope it resonates. I hope people see that time isn’t guaranteed, and people aren’t in our lives forever. Kids grow up, paths change course, and people get old. It’s not just an I love you and can’t be without you song. It’s an I value you over everything else song. It’s wanting to grow old with a lifetime of memories of us, and not a bunch of stuff.
Kat: What do you find is the most challenging part of your creative process?
Quinton: I think I love the whole creative process. From the initial write, to the studio to the live performance I like to live in the moment on stage. I love sharing the final result. So it’s not that I don’t love the pre-production stages, it’s just that I am fueled by the live performance and creating moments to connect with people. That’s why I do what I do.
Kat: What has been a career highlight for you so far?
Quinton: I always tell everyone – I have the greatest job in the world. Every town we go to it’s fireworks, Rodeos, community vendors, street dances and parades. I don’t take it for granted that promoters trust us to put on a performance where we create a moment, a memory and a connection with people from their community. I love playing country music, but as a Prairie kid, getting the call for the Canadian Finals Rodeo was a big deal to me.
Kat: What have you learned along the way, and do you have anything you would like to share with other aspiring artists and creators?
Quinton: I think the biggest thing I want to see in the younger generation of artists is collaboration and support of each other…outside of their immediate peer groups. Country music is a big family full of great people, and there is room for everyone.
Kat: What’s next for you?
Quinton: Well it will be another great year of playing music all over Canada. I think I am most excited about playing the Main Stage at Canada’s longest-running country music festival – Dauphin’s Countryfest. We got the call to support 2 of my bucket list 90s bands in Diamond Rio and Clint Black. From there we leap front into another year of corn dog fairs and rodeos…my favorite venues.
Connect With Quinton
Instagram: @quintonblair
Twitter: @quintonblair
Facebook: /quintonblairmusic
Website: www.quintonblair.com/