Way back in the early 1990’s, I was one of six judges for the Canadian Open Singing Contest in Simcoe, Ont. Three days, over 700 contestants across several categories. In the boys’ category, one young man came in second (to Tyler Wilkinson that year). I remember talking to the young man’s mom after the contest and told her to not to let this result get to him and to keep encouraging and supporting him. I wonder whatever happened to that young man.

Oh, yeah.

He grew up and kept writing songs and recording. Last year, Justin Moore had his sixth #1 hit with “Somebody Else Will,” co-written by that young man. And just this year, that same young man had his first Canadian #1 hit as a recording artist with “Who’s Gonna Love You.”

Yes, that young man grew up to become one of Canadian country music’s most successful artists…Tebey! It was awesome watching him perform last Monday night on the last night of Tim Hicks’ “Get Loud” tour in Kitchener, Ont. He’s come a long, long way since that weekend in Simcoe so many years ago. Next year, look for Tebey to headline his own Canadian tour!