Exeter's Graham Bedard rides Showcase win to Music in the Fields stage
BY SCOTT STEPHENSON
Exeter-based singer-songwriter Graham Bedard has been steadily building a loyal following over the past few years. Starting out on local stages, he gradually expanded his reach across the province. Now, his efforts are paying off in a big way: Bedard has been named the 2025 winner of the Emerging Artist Showcase at Music in the Fields (MITF), one of rural Ontario’s premier music festivals held annually in Lucknow.
He’s a musician known for his heartfelt, homegrown authenticity, and he’s openly excited about winning the Emerging Artist Showcase. “I’m not gonna lie, I’ve been trying for three years now to get into MITF. It’s just a really incredible opportunity for me, and I couldn’t be more grateful for it,” he admitted. “Over the last few years, I’ve been really trying to hone my craft and write songs as much as possible. I’ve celebrated some little rewards along the way, like getting played on small-town radio or having a couple of songs on Sirius XM. But I’ve never had an experience like opening for an international country superstar like Jordan Davis at such a big festival. It’s been a slow burn, but patience and work ethic is the name of the game.”
Bedard’s musical journey began at home, long before he hit the stage at venues like Castings Public House and events like the Goderich Salt and Harvest Festival. “As soon as I could talk, I started singing - it kind of runs in my family,” he shared. “Pretty much everyone in my family sings, and that’s because of my dad. He’s a very musical person. He’s been singing his whole life.” His mother also played a role in shaping his sound, introducing him to the music of Bon Jovi from a young age. “I thank my mother for the Bon Jovi. She’s had a strong love for Bon Jovi for a long time,” he told The Citizen.
Beyond Bon Jovi, Bedard draws inspiration from artists like Bryan Adams, Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban and Luke Combs. “Keith Urban’s a big one,” he said. “I really admire his talent, his stage presence, and his ability to entertain. He just does everything so well. And everybody looks up to Luke Combs. He’s just kind of a master superstar. Right now, I’m a huge fan of ‘Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma’ by Luke Combs. I love the rock edge he brings to that song. I wasn’t a fan of the new Twisters movie, but there’s this scene where a guy’s wheeling his pickup truck up a dirt road with that song blasting - it was amazing. I hadn’t heard it before, but I thought, ‘This sounds like a Luke Combs song,’ and lo and behold, it was. And it’s a banger!”
As for this year’s MITF lineup, Bedard is especially excited to share the stage with Jordan Davis, as well as Canadian singer-songwriter Tenille Townes and Emerging Artist Showcase alum Owen Riegling.
“The whole lineup just has so many talented people who deserve recognition,” he said.
Keeping the spirit of ’90s rock alive is central to Bedard’s musical identity. “I like to say we’re kind of just a ’90s rock band playing country hits,” he explained. The song that earned him the Emerging Artist Showcase spot hasn’t actually been released yet, but fans won’t have to wait long. Bedard plans to drop the track on Friday, Aug. 22, just one day before he takes the stage at Graceland on Saturday. Whether you’re attending the festival or tuning in online, this is a perfect time to discover and support rising local talent - because Graham Bedard is definitely one to watch.