July 30 - Aug 8: Tickets Available!
July 30 - Aug 8 Tickets going on sale!
We’re releasing our shows that are crossing into August, and I have to tell you, at this point - we’re getting pretty excited about these shows actually starting! Below are the shows that will be happening at Duke’s Live Music from July 30th - Aug 8th - that you do not want to miss!
Todd & Robyn - Thursday, July 30th
Danny Michel - Friday, July 31st & Saturday, August 1st
Jack Gaughan & Adina V - Thursday, August 6th
Cody Ellis - Friday, August 7th
Elliott BROOD - Saturday, August 8th
Tickets for these shows will go on sale FRIDAY, JUNE 5th at 7AM - on our website at www.dukeslivemusic.com/2026-shows
If you’re on our newsletter email list, you’ll get 24hrs to buy tickets before they go public. Not on our newsletter? Sign up now!
Please read on to get to know our artists featured in this newsletter!
Todd & Robyn
We’re thrilled to have local musicians, Todd & Robyn, at Duke’s Live Music this summer. They have been hosting some incredible shows at Chapel Gallery in Bracebridge, and if you haven’t checked them out - you should. Watch for “An Evening With” events at Chapel Gallery, and you’ll be in for a treat.
Simple songs for a simple life. That’s the guiding principle behind the music of Todd & Robyn, a husband-and-wife duo.
With soulful harmonies, Robyn’s lively tambourine, and a blend of folk and Americana influences, Todd & Robyn create music that’s down-to-earth and heartfelt. They’re currently recording their debut album at home and planning a fall tour in Canada’s East Coast.
To Learn more about Todd & Robyn, check out their website: https://www.toddandrobyn.com/
Ticket link: www.dukeslivemusic.com/2026-shows
Danny Michel
Jeremy and I first saw Danny Michel at Mariposa Folk Festival in Orillia in 2019 (I think), and have been hooked on his music ever since.
The only good thing about not shopping in record stores like we used to is that you don’t have to figure out what genre to look for Danny under. If that were the case, you could try searching under rock, pop, folk, world, or even classical. His own self-described musical A.D.D. has kept his music fresh for decades.
Maybe it has something to do with being born next to a candy factory, but his thoughtful lyrics and charming performances have earned him a devoted fan base, multiple Juno nominations, Polaris Prize nominations, CBC’s Heart of Gold award, and wins for the CFMA’s Producer of the Year and Oliver Schroder Pushing the Boundaries awards.
His adventurous musical spirit has led him on unique journeys, from recording and touring with The Garifuna Collective (from Belize) to recording an album aboard a Soviet-era icebreaker in the Arctic while on an expedition with astronaut Chris Hadfield. Albums like Matadora and Khlebnikov explore themes of human connection, the environment, and the cosmos.
Beyond music, Danny is passionate about social causes. He founded the DM Ocean Academy Fund to support a non-profit high school in Belize. His charm, creative performances, and wide-ranging interests have made him a beloved figure not only in music but also in charitable and environmental circles. This has led to unique performances, including playing at Jane Goodall’s 85th birthday, David Suzuki’s 75th + 90th, and touring with Stuart McLean’s Vinyl Cafe.
To Learn more about Danny, check out his website: https://www.dannymichel.com/
Ticket link: www.dukeslivemusic.com/2026-shows
Jack Gaughan and Adina V
Last year, we were so lucky to get to hear Jack Gaughan’s incredible vocal and guitar skills at Duke’s Live Music. This year, the show will be a duo, featuring Jack Gaughan and Adina V, both solo artists who come together as the duo “A Soft Place to Land”.
> Adina V
Born and raised in Mississauga, Ontario, Adina’s love of music was evident from a very young age. A childhood full of weekly piano lessons, school choirs, musical theatre camps, guitar clubs, and plenty of self-guided musical exploration led to her attending Cawthra Park Secondary School for their Regional Arts Program, followed by Humber College. There she majored in Vocal Performance, graduating with an Honours Bachelor of Music in 2022.
Adina’s time at Humber was spent honing her craft, diving into the theoretical and practical pursuit of various genres including jazz, folk, pop, R&B, rock, country, and Latin American repertoire. She remains a mesmerizingly versatile vocalist, marrying a pure, inviting tone with agility and technical prowess. Alongside being a professional singer, Adina is a multi-instrumentalist, earning her RCM 9 Piano, playing both acoustic and electric guitar, and even dabbling on the mandolin! She is also an accomplished songwriter, with multiple songwriting awards and the 2022 MARTY Award for “Best Emerging Solo Vocalist”.
The past few years have seen Adina hard at work writing, performing, recording, and releasing music in the GTA and beyond, with collaborations in Toronto, Nashville, Montreal, and Vancouver Island, to name a few. This passion and dedication led to nominations for both Musician of the Year and a Fan’s Choice Award at the 2023 Mississauga Music Awards, as well as the 2nd place prize in the Verse 2 Voice songwriting competition in 2024.
>Jack
Guitar and vocal virtuoso Jack Gaughan is an incredibly talented and hardworking guitarist, vocalist and producer. Born and raised in Huntsville, Duke’s has already had the pleasure of hosting Jack for a show in 2025. Don’t miss this chance for a night full of incredible harmonies while Jack is joined by Adina V for this show to be remembered.
Ticket link: www.dukeslivemusic.com/2026-shows
Cody Ellis
Returning to Duke’s Live Music for a second year, make sure you buy tickets early as this show is sure to sell out again this year.
Cody Ellis is a Virginia-born, Toronto-raised singer-songwriter whose official public debut took place in 2021 with the release of his first solo album Good Medicine — the culmination of a lifetime spent writing and recording his own music.
Influenced by a range of artists across the folk, blues, country, and rock canons — from Townes Van Zandt and John Prine to The Band and beyond — Cody’s Americana-infused signature sound and heartfelt lyrical approach simultaneously pays homage to the greats that came before while continuing to forge a path ahead for the generations to come.
Hot off the heels of his third full-length album Covered By The Song, recorded in Nashville, Cody’s momentum is now at an all-time high as he prepares for his biggest year yet, with plans to collaborate with a wider range of talented musicians as well as put on a slew of live shows for his diverse and growing fanbase.
To Learn more about Cody, check out his website: https://www.codyellismusic.com/
Ticket link: www.dukeslivemusic.com/2026-shows
Elliott BROOD
“Doing it the hard way for 20 years,” is a badge Elliott BROOD wear with honour. Two decades on, work, life and love have taken the trio in many directions, away from their hometowns and headfirst into an ongoing musical journey through distance and time. Now, after being members of this band for nearly half of their lives, Elliott BROOD is never more at home than in the wash of distorted, evocative strings and stomps that make their signature alt country sound.
Elliott BROOD appeared on the cover of Exclaim Magazine in 2008 as the new ambassadors of a roots, folk rock and alt country wave that flourished in Toronto’s early aughts. Elliott BROOD’s arrival came with a level of buzz that launched them directly into the heart of a vibrant Toronto scene that centered at label Six Shooter Records, where they have returned to release their newest music. Their live show, a maelstrom of frenetic energy and fuzz, has brought them back and forth across continents countless times on bills The Sadies, Wilco, The Black Crowes, and many more. Their albums, meticulously crafted, detail-packed collections have brought some of Canada’s highest musical honours and awards, including an early Polaris Music Prize Short List and a JUNO Award.
In their twenty years, the band has remained fiercely loyal to their mysterious namesake. The stylized, imaginary character has guided the band’s travels over mountains and meadows, and through the more harrowing sides of history. Elliott BROOD has grown into a vessel for the trio’s shared history too, with new songs finding connection and communion in themes that hit much closer to home. With smile lines and guitar fingers long hardened with callouses, Elliott BROOD has been doing it the hard way, but making it sound easy.
To Learn more about Elliott BROOD, check out their website: https://www.elliottbrood.com/
Ticket link: www.dukeslivemusic.com/2026-shows
July Part 2: So many shows!
July 16-25 Tickets going on sale!
We’re now releasing our shows that are a bit later in July, so stay tuned so as not to miss out! Coming up for the evenings of July 16-18 and July 23-25 we are thrilled to host…
Sean Cotton - Thursday, July 16th
James Gray - Friday, July 17th
Angie Nussey - Saturday, July 18th
Isla-Maria - Thursday, July 23rd
Russell deCarle - Thursday, July 24th
Craig Cardiff - Saturday, July 25th**
Tickets for these shows will go on sale FRIDAY, MAY 29th at 7AM - on our website at www.dukeslivemusic.com/2026-shows
** Craig’s show will go on sale SATURDAY, MAY 30th at 7AM at the same link
If you’re on our newsletter email list, you’ll get 24hrs to buy tickets before they go public. Not on our newsletter? Sign up now!
Please read on to get to know our “July Part 2” artists a bit more!
Sean Cotton
We have yet to meet Sean in person, but we are excited to do so! After hearing so much of his music on the radio, and after many reports of great shows and story telling, we know this will be such a great experience.
Known for his original songs about Muskoka, Sean Cotton brings the campfire experience to the concert stage. After retiring from a 20 year career on the road and in the studio as a guitar player and harmony vocalist with performing-songwriting duo The Undesirables, Sean has settled in the village of Burk's Falls, Ontario where he operates a recording studio producing artist, recording his own albums as well as working as a jingle composer for radio.
You can see Sean performing solo from Gravenhurst to North Bay, from Kearney to Parry Sound. These performances are a highly revered one-man band experience, with Sean filling out the back beat of the music with his feet by performing percussion on a tambourine adorned guitar case.
To Learn more about Sean, check out his website: https://seancotton.ca/
Ticket link: www.dukeslivemusic.com/2026-shows
James Gray
We were so lucky to have James join us last year for two shows, and thrilled he’s returning again this summer. James is currently touring in Europe, and over the winter he toured for his second time in New Zealand.
James Gray is a contemporary version of an old-school traveling folk singer. In the past decade, Gray has toured throughout Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand seeing the world and sharing his beloved songs along the way. A unique finger style guitarist, with a vocal that is hauntingly beautiful, Gray, often accompanied by a rather droll, humorous stage patter, immerses himself in each and every song with a soulfulness and attack that is infectious and disarming.
James has released four albums, the most recent in 2025 entitled “Daydreamer”, with his first show on his album release tour right here at Duke’s. In 2019 James won himself a spot at The Mariposa Folk Festival through their showcase auditions. James has since been invited to perform at 5 Mariposa folk events, The Northern Lights Festival Boreal, 2 Troubadour Festivals and the Muskoka Music Festival in James’ home of northern/central Ontario.
Gray has recently returned home from touring throughout Switzerland, Germany and Austria. This past festival season James was invited to perform at both the Northern Lights Festival Boreal and the Mariposa Folk Festival where he had the honour of warming up the main stage for Bruce Cockburn.
To Learn more about James, check out his website: https://www.jamesgraymusic.ca/
Ticket link: www.dukeslivemusic.com/2026-shows
Angie Nussey
Last year we were blown away by Angie’s live performance. Her vocals, and her skill in overlapping sounds, voice and instruments and drawing the crowd together created such a night to be remembered.
Angie Nussey is a Sudbury-born, shaped in Toronto, and now Orillia-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist with eight albums of original music and more than three decades on stage. Her songs blend folk, blues, and a touch of rock — carried by a soulful voice and lyrics that dig into the beauty, humour, and resilience of everyday life.
Muskoka locals might recognize Angie from her energetic cover shows around the region, but at Duke's, she’ll be sharing her own writing - the eclectic mix of story-driven songs that have earned her national recognition both as a solo singer/songwriter and as a member of the trio Boreal, whose latest album was nominated for three Canadian Folk Music Awards.
To Learn more about Angie, check out her website: https://angienussey.com/
Ticket link: www.dukeslivemusic.com/2026-shows
Isla-Maria
Born in the small town of Bracebridge in Ontario, Canada, Isla-Maria grew up in a household that encouraged creativity, honing her craft since she was only three years old and appearing in countless productions ranging from musical theatre to competitive dance. She is a lover of R&B, pop, rock, hip-hop, and everything in between.
Isla-Maria is a rising force in the music world, delivering genre-fluid, emotionally charged songs that cut through with rare authenticity. Armed with a natural gift for songwriting and an emotive voice that balances raw vulnerability with striking depth, she creates music that feels both intimate and fearless. Her work captures the beauty and chaos of growing up, pairing emotional honesty with bold sonic experimentation that resonates far beyond her years.
Isla-Maria is joined by her father, Jed Corbeil, who is a seasoned musician himself as well as being a local business owner and involved community member.
To Learn more about Isla-Maria, check out her website: https://islamariaofficial.com/
Ticket link: www.dukeslivemusic.com/2026-shows
Russell deCarle
Award winning Prairie Oyster co-founder Russell deCarle captivates audiences with his warm, unmistakable voice and genre blending style, bringing a rich mix of country, jazz, and soul to the stage. Russell will be joined by long time friend and stellar guitarist Steve Briggs.
No stranger to Canadian and International audiences,Russell deCarle is recognized as lead singer of award-winning, multi-platinum country-roots group Prairie Oyster. For nearly two decades, he has concentrated on his solo career, and has released four solo recordings, the most recent being The End of The Road.
deCarle’s music isn’t easily categorized. Apparent is a lifetime of influences absorbing a wide range of musical genres from a time when Buck Owens, Frank Sinatra and The Beatles could be heard back to back on commercial radio.
deCarle’s warm, burnished, and intimate voice has always honoured an eclectic range of songs. True to form the songs of his most recent albums The End of The Road and Alone in This Crowd offer a fluent collection that mixes southern soul and restrained balladry with obvious touches of jazz, old school country, and western swing.
To Learn more about Russell, check out his website: https://russelldecarle.com/
Ticket link: www.dukeslivemusic.com/2026-shows
Craig Cardiff
Join Craig Cardiff in concert. Come ready to sing, dance, and become part of the show. Everyone comes as strangers and leaves as a group. Folk music, singersongwriter, canadiana / americana - label as needed. Four chords and the truth, capo’d as required. Invite your friends and enemies - they all need to be there. Juno / Canadian Folk Music award Nominee, streamed often, and 100% fan powered.
THREE SHOWS IN ONE DAY!
Craig would love to have as many people as possible join in and enjoy the music, and the experience, and so, we are hosting him for three shows. Tickets are SOOO reasonable to come to see Craig, so don't delay as we expect all three shows to sell out quickly. Bring your friends, your parents, your kids, your date, your neighbour or just buy tickets for someone who doesn't get to experience live music regularly.
All shows are GENERAL ADMISSION, Licensed and All Ages, so come for Doors Open Time to choose your seats. Tickets available for purchase online. If you're not able to purchase online, please email us at dukeslivemusic@gmail.com and we can arrange an etransfer instead.
Ticket link: www.dukeslivemusic.com/2026-shows
July Part 1: Josh Taerk, Colin Linden, Karla Crawford
Tickets on sale for the first shows of July - Josh Taerk, Colin Linden, Karla Crawford.
We’re into July for our ticket sales, and we’re excited to let you know who’s coming and give you a bit of a background on them. Here are the next few dates!
Josh Taerk - Thursday, July 2nd
Colin Linden - Thursday July 9th
Karla Crawford - Saturday July 11th
Tickets for these three shows will go on sale FRIDAY, MAY 22nd at 7:00AM - on our website at www.dukeslivemusic.com/2026-shows
If you’re on our newsletter email list, you’ll get 24hrs to buy tickets before they go public. Not on our newsletter? Sign up now!
Please read on to get to know our “July Part 1” artists a bit more!
Josh Taerk
Josh Taerk reached out mid-winter with an interest in playing at Duke’s Live Music.
Josh Taerk (pronounced Terk) is a Billboard Top 40 charting Country Rock singer/songwriter, an official Recording Academy/Grammy voting member, and Country Music Association professional member.
His gift lies in is his ability to tell stories that feel like a shared experience. His soul-stirring lyrics, emotive melodies, and electrifying live shows foster a community of fans stretching across the globe.
Continuing and expanding on the traditions of the troubadours and songsmiths that came before him, Josh’s brand of Country Rock combines catchy melodies with heartfelt storytelling that lifts people up, inspires positive change, and encourages his fans to come together as a global community.
To Learn more about Josh, check out his website: https://www.joshtaerk.com/
Tickets will go on sale FRIDAY, MAY 22nd at 7:00AM - on our website at www.dukeslivemusic.com/2026-shows
Colin Linden
When we found out that Colin Linden was playing with his band, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings nearby, we jumped at the chance to have him play at Duke’s while he will be in Ontario. Born in Toronto, Canada, and raised in White Plains, New York, Colin Linden returned to Canada in 1970. He was already a guitar prodigy at 11 years old, and when most kids that age were playing sports, Colin was meeting and being mentored by one of his musical heroes, the great bluesman Howlin’ Wolf, which helped set the youngster on a course to pursue the sounds of his dreams. That encounter helped fuel a career that has featured his work on literally hundreds of albums. At last count, the total of recordings on which he has played approaches 400, while over 100 albums bear the “Produced by Colin Linden” credit. Colin Linden. It is all about the Blues and the best music.
To Learn more about Colin, check out his website: https://colinlinden.net/
Karla Crawford and Glenn Bladon
Karla is one of MANY talented artists in our area, and we are so happy to be able to fit into her high demand schedule! Karla Crawford is an interactive singer-songwriter from Midland, Ontario, known for her powerful vocals and remarkable ability to captivate an audience. A true entertainer, she brings energy, warmth and charisma to every performance.
She began her career as a Demo singer in Nashville and spent 12 years writing, performing and recording. For the past 15 years, Karla has been performing throughout Canada and the United States. She has shared the stage with notable artists including Vince Gill, Brad Paisley and Keith Urban among others.
Karla will be joined by talented guitarist and vocalist Glenn Bladon at Duke's Live Music and we hope you’ll be there to enjoy the show with us!
June 26th Show - Julian Taylor!
Award-winning, Toronto-based singer-songwriter Julian Taylor at Duke's Live Music.
We’re thrilled to announce ticket sales for our first show of the season. Julian Taylor is coming to Duke’s Live Music in Muskoka on Friday, June 26th at 8pm and you can be one of 50 people sitting in the audience of what feels like it could be his living room.
If you’re on our newsletter email list, you’ll get 24hrs to buy tickets before they go public. We’ll send you out a private link in advance so that you can buy tickets. With only 50 seats, we want to make sure that those who support us do have a chance to go to the shows they pick. We’ll also do our best to make it so as many as possible can come and enjoy the space as possible by hosting 30 shows over the course of the 10 week summer!
Without further ado, please meet our first artist if you don’t know of him already.
We first saw Julian Taylor playing during the day at the Mariposa Folk Festival in Orillia last year (2025). His song, Seeds, had us hooked, and we loved listening to his stories and perspectives. He promptly got added to the “wish list”. Later that night we got to sing along with him again while he was on the main stage with Serena Ryder. This show will be an incredible experience for all of us there.
Julian Taylor is a Toronto-based, award-winning independent singer-songwriter, radio host, and label owner. Over 20-plus years as the leader of Staggered Crossing, Julian Taylor Band, and his solo work, Julian established himself as one of Canada’s great troubadours. He has earned five JUNO nominations, a pair of Canadian Folk Music Awards, five Native American Music Award nominations, and a nomination for the Polaris Music Prize.
"Taylor is a unique and important voice on the Canadian roots-and-folk scene.”- The Globe & Mail.
"Among Canada’s most premier songwriters. Ultimately, Taylor remains unparalleled” – Spill Magazine.
To Learn more about Julian, check out his website: https://juliantaylormusic.ca/
Tickets will go on sale FRIDAY, MAY 15th at 7:00AM - on our website at www.dukeslivemusic.com/2026-shows
2026 Summer Lineup!
Introducing Duke’s Summer 2026 shows!
Introducing Duke’s Summer 2026 shows!
There are still a few more shows we’re excited to announce - but we just couldn’t keep these shows to ourselves anymore!
Tickets go live soon, to be the first to know, join our mailing list!
James Gray - Friday October 10th
Don’t miss our show next Friday October 10th, James Gray is doing an Album Release Tour and we’ll be among some of the first to hear these new songs and stories.
We wanted to send out a message with a reminder about next Friday’s upcoming show for those who haven’t bought tickets yet - it will be our last show for the season.
James Gray played on July 18th as one of our early shows this summer. This fall, he’s releasing a new album and we’re going to be among the first to hear the new songs and stories before he heads over to New Zealand later this winter.
Show will be 8-10pm as usual. Friday October 10th. It’s a great way to start the Thanksgiving weekend!
🍁🍁🍁 🍂🍂🍂 🍁🍁🍁
September Newsletter
Thank you for an amazing summer! First Summer - 13 Shows - Zero Regrets!
As our first summer winds down and as we look forward, we want to shout:
<<<THANK YOU!!!>>>
from the building tops (or from the internet and in person as much as possible) to all of you that have supported this live music venue in our community. This summer we hosted 13 shows, 6 of which were sold out! We had so many nights where we left to walk home thinking, “for real this time, this one really was the best yet”. We love the energy that comes from sharing live music together with YOU! So many of you have helped out by sourcing furniture, providing moral and physical support and attending so many shows. Well…..MORE TO COME!
Since our last Newsletter, we’ve had Cam Galloway, Joel Plaskett, Kenny Munshaw and Tobin Spring play.
Cam played to a sold out show after having to re-book from earlier in the season.
The whole gang with Joel Plaskett, Sound Tech Steve Smith and brother Brian. Two incredible shows! L-R: Steve, Jeremy, Brian, Joel, Kathy, Candice, Jim, Robin.
Kenny Munshaw playing to a sold out show. This show sold out immediately when it was posted….so don’t delay next year!
A few younger audience members at Tobin’s 3rd show this summer at Duke’s - also sold out!
Our September Shows
In just over a week, we have Old Man Luedecke coming to play. If you’d like to come to this show - don’t delay in purchasing tickets - as of today we are 60% sold out!
On September 19th, we are hosting our first Private Event. Gina Horswood will be playing for a lucky group that have booked the space for the night. We know what you might be thinking…… “So does this mean I could book my OWN show for an artist of my choosing!”. Well, in short - yes! If you’d like to book a night as a special event, or with an artist you’ve long wanted to see up close - get in touch and we can help make it happen.
Stay Tuned for October
A great picture from James’ first show at Duke’s this summer.
James Gray is coming to play on October 10th for his first show of an Album Release Tour. More details on the new album to come…but really, if you want to learn more - come to the show! Tickets go on sale Friday Sept 12th at noon. James played at Duke’s in July as one of our first shows, and shortly after got in touch to book this October date for his tour. We think that means he likes the space. Good thing, because we like him!
We’ll also be reaching out in October to hear from you as we look at booking shows for 2026. So…do your homework, and get your requests ready! We have a growing list already, plus we have so many that we’d like to have back. So stay tuned for our October Newsletter where we’ll be asking for your suggestions and ideas.
Thanks again for a great first summer ❤️ There’s a reason that we love this town.
Comin up!
There are so many good things happening we’re having trouble keeping up with the blog posts! Last weekend we had our first sold out show with Angie Nussey, with many more to come!
There are so many good things happening we’re having trouble keeping up with the blog posts! Last weekend we had our first sold out show with Angie Nussey, with many more to come! It was just a great show. Some of Angie’s long time fans were there and said “This is the best venue we have ever seen Angie at!”
The weekend before last, we had the pleasure of meeting and hearing Gina Horswood. Who knew so much talent was right here in our surroundings!?? We do now! Gina was incredible and we were so lucky to have her playing as a duo with bass player and vocalist Brandon Munday. We can’t wait to have Gina and Angie back next year!
Check out the pics below from the two shows, and if you’d like a little peak into the space if you haven’t been yet - have a listen to some fun with Angie Nussey as she has some fun looping some tracks below.
Angie Nussey playing to a full house
Gina Horswood accompanied by Brandon Munday
Up Next!
Up Next is Cody Ellis, playing tomorrow, Saturday August 9th. If you don’t have tickets, I’m sorry but there are only 2 left….looks like it will be another sold out show.
Then - on TUESDAY August 12th, Cam Galloway is playing. His show is 70% SOLD, so if you’re planning on coming, now is the time to get tickets!
Next Thursday August 14th and Friday August 15th, we are so thrilled that Joel Plaskett is coming! His Friday show is sold out, but thursday is at around 30% SOLD - so get your tickets if you don’t have them yet!
A week later, on Thursday August 21st, we are so lucky to have Kenny Munshaw coming to play - our piano is getting tuned on Monday before hand!! This show is SOLD OUT, so we hope you already have your tickets!
On Friday August 22nd, we are so looking forward to having The Fretless featuring Madeleine Roger come to Duke’s Live Music. This group is incredible, with 4 String players and a vocalist. A supergroup of celebrated solo artists, The Fretless has been creating a singular and signature sound that dares to expand the idea of what a string music quartet can be—transforming fiddle tunes and folk melodies into intricate, beautiful, high-energy arrangements that have quickly gained a dedicated following and accolades from around the world. We have been looking forward to this show all summer. We can’t believe we are going to have this whole 5 person group playing for us over the water as the sun is setting. You will never forget this show. Check out this video for a taste of what’s coming….and get your tickets early so you’re not disappointed!
For our last show of the summer, we KNOW this will sell out, and we can’t wait to have him back - we are again welcoming Tobin Spring on Thursday August 28th. If you haven’t been to see one of his shows here, it’s not too late. Get your tickets here!
Fall Preview
We are booking a few shows for the fall and wanted to give you a heads up before we even post them! Details to come soon on those that aren’t posted yet.
Paddy James will be joining us while he is here for a week from the UK, travelling and playing at a friend’s wedding. How lucky are we! He’ll be playing on Thursday September 11th - details for this show to be posted soon. We just solidified this today!
Right up after Paddy will be Old Man Luedecke on Friday September 12th!! Who’s he….well you’d better check him out. We have listened to so much of his music over the years. Here is a little glimpse into this artist. His tickets go on sale Friday August 15th at noon, so mark your calendars and get tickets for Old Man Luedecke’s show.
Also…this is not quite public yet, but word on the street is that James Gray is releasing a new album! He played at Duke’s Live Music in July - and he’s COMING BACK! He’s coming on Friday October 10th, which is Friday of the thanksgiving weekend, and he’ll be playing at Duke’s as the FIRST SHOW of his new album release tour! We cannot wait! Tickets aren’t posted for this yet either, but they will be soon!
There are a few other things brewing for the fall…but for now we are just enjoying these shows happening now - it is going so quickly!
Can’t wait to see you out at a show again soon! Thank you SO much for your support, and your contribution to the live music, local and from away!
Weekly Recap
A little recap on two more great shows, and next week’s show.
Words and pictures can’t do these shows justice. If you haven’t come to check out Duke’s Live Music, it’s time. Thanks for the nights Luke Crans and The Pub Band, and James Gray.
Here are a few pictures from our last two shows, and a look at our upcoming shows. If you have any pictures from the shows you’d like to share - please send them our way! 705-765-1939, info@dukeboats.com
OUR NEXT SHOWS
Friday, July 25th, 2025
Doors open 7pm, show starts 8pm
After touring Australia & Canada for over two decades, Horswood settled in the woods of Northern Ontario and wrote her latest release, "Bare Bones" (2020), which debuted at #3 on the iTunes Singer-Songwriter chart.
Gina Horswood has become known as one of the most talented entertainers in Muskoka, switching seamlessly from her own music to classic and pop standards, much to the delight of the audience. Buy tickets in advance to choose your seat and reserve your spot, as space is limited.
Saturday, August 2nd, 2025
Doors open 7pm, show starts 8pm
Angie Nussey is a seasoned artist with a diverse portfolio that includes 7 original albums and the celebrated book “I Have No Idea What I’m Doing.” She began her musical journey in Sudbury, Ontario, studying opera and piano while also delving into biochemistry and performing with a rock band for 3 years. In 2001, she relocated to Toronto, Ontario, where she embarked on a 15-year musical touring journey. Angie now resides in Oro-Medonte, Ontario, and continues to evolve and enrich her musical career.
Her musical prowess has earned her numerous accolades, including Best Female Performer at the Toronto Independent Music Awards and recognition for Best Country Song in the Great American Songwriting Contest. Buy tickets in advance to choose your seat and reserve your spot, as space is limited.
What’s With This Place??
So we hear there’s a new live music spot in town. But what is it really? What’s the deal? When are they open? Who’s playing?
We know you’re wondering.
Okay - so we’ve had lots of people asking us about when we’re opening, who’s playing, and what we’re up to. Well - we wanted to share that with you.
We are offering something that we’ve been longing for. It is for us, our friends, our kids, our community and our artists!
What we’re doing.
Put simply: We want to celebrate artists and give them a venue to play where we get to interact with them, be close, share their music, get to know them. This venue is for The Artist. This venue is for The Listener. This venue is for the experience of shared art and music. To inspire. To connect. Yes, to drink and eat too, we have lots of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, cheese boards and desserts - but this is to enhance the experience of the music.
When you come and see our solo artists or bands, you will be sitting in essentially what seems like sitting in the living room with them. You get to see them up close, interact with them, joke back and forth, hear their stories and songs.
And what is all this like for the artist? Equally incredible. They get to interact with you. They get to share their music, share their stories, and best of all, everyone is listening.
Take a chance. Come and check out a show and support these incredible artists, and give us the ability to keep doing it.
Check out our upcoming shows:
https://www.dukeboats.com/live-music
Generally our shows are Thursdays, Fridays or Saturdays - but it all depends on who we book and when they are available. So check the schedule to be sure!
COMING UP THIS WEEK
Thursday, July 17th, 2025
Doors open 7pm, show starts 8pm
Luke Crans and his band will be joining us for a night to be remembered. Luke is a local singer/songwriter who will play tunes that you know and love, as well as originals in this intimate 49 seat venue. You'll feel like you've joined the band in their living room for a great night of music.. Buy tickets in advance to choose your seat and reserve your spot, as space is limited.
Friday, July 18th, 2025
Doors open 7pm, show starts 8pm
James Gray is a contemporary version of an old-school traveling folk singer. In the past decade, Gray has toured Canada, Europe and Australia, seeing the world and sharing his beloved songs along the way. A unique finger style guitarist, with a vocal that is hauntingly beautiful, this is a show you don’t want to miss. Buy tickets in advance to choose your seat and reserve your spot, as space is limited.
Grand Opening and Shows!
Grand Opening on Thursday July 10th, 6-7pm. Tobin Spring Show Thursday July 10th, 7-10pm, Friday July 11th, 7-10pm.
Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting
Thursday July 10th, 6-7pm
A new live music venue is open in Port Carling. This 50 seat gathering location is host to incredible live music for small audiences. Wait until you see how intimate this space is, you’ll feel like you are in the artist’s living room.
Come and gather inside the old boat shop on Thursday July 10th from 6-7, ribbon cutting at 6:15. Rather than building boats, come to enjoy local brews and beverages, cheese platters and desserts, and best of all, incredible live music in an intimate venue.
RSVP to the Chamber if you will join for the big cut (andi@muskokalakeschamber.ca). Then stay for the Tobin Spring show, with doors open at 7, and show at 8pm, tickets available online.
Two Great Shows This Weekend!
If you came to the show on June 26th, you’ll know why you don’t want to miss this one! This Thursday and Friday we have two great shows lined up for you. This is not background music in a bar - this is an experience to be a part of. Share in supporting these artists and in supporting live music. Come early for a beverage and a bite, or enjoy some desert at intermission. Hear some of your favourite tunes, and come ready to request, and also enjoy originals by the artists.
THURSDAY JULY 10th, Doors 7pm, Show at 8pm
$20 Ticket - Reserve Seats Online
FRIDAY JULY 11th, Doors 7pm, Show at 8pm
$20 Ticket - Reserve Seats Online
First Show - Tobin Spring
First show in the new space! Tobin Spring on June 26th.
Well, as is always the case - it was a scramble to have the space all cleaned up for the first show on June 26th. The last day was a mad dash to get everything cleaned, setup and ready. It all came together, and other than soliciting friends (who were the first in the door with tickets) to clean their own glasses and enough glasses for everyone else, we were as ready as we were going to be!
Thought I’d post a few pictures of the first night - as we are prepping for show number 2 tomorrow night, Cam Galloway.
To checkout our upcoming shows as they are posted, stay tuned here - https://www.dukeboats.com/live-music
Joel Plaskett At Duke’s Live Music!
BIG Show Announcement! Later this summer, the one and only Joel Plaskett will be joining us for two back to back shows. Tickets won’t last long, so mark your calendars - tickets go on sale July 4th at NOON!
We are over the top pumped to announce that Joel Plaskett is coming to Duke’s!
We are still on a high from our first show with Tobin Spring last night, and as we gathering pictures to post, we don’t want to delay letting everyone know this exciting news.
For over three decades, Joel Plaskett has proven himself a spinning wheel of reinvention. The Nova Scotia songwriter's eclectic body of work reveals a restless and playful spirit, always transforming and expanding.
Joel will be playing TWO shows with only 49 seats each.
Buy tickets in advance to choose your seat and reserve your spot, as space is limited.
Tickets go on sale NEXT FRIDAY JULY 4TH AT NOON!
Check out all our upcoming events HERE
New Show Posting!
New Show Posting - Cam Galloway, July 3rd, 8pm. All Ages, Licensed event - doors open at 7pm.
Thursday, July 3rd, 2025
Doors open 7pm, show starts 8pm
Come dig some local talent with country musician Cam Galloway from Bracebridge, Ontario. Cam will kick off an early start to the Canada Day long weekend at Duke's in Port Carling. Cam is a singer/songwriter, and current finalist in the Country Rising Talent Competition. Come ready to hear some of your favourite tunes, and hear some new favourites written by Cam himself. Buy tickets in advance to choose your seat and reserve your spot, as space is limited.
Tickets to go see Cam will go on sale on Friday June 27th at noon - so set your reminders to get your tickets!
The Week Before The Week Of
Plumbing, electrical, inspections and ordering!
It’s getting real.
As I write - I can hear the plumbers downstairs, and I’m surrounded by a collection of chairs, sound equipment, fridges, sinks and tools. Today it has been raining all day (as you know), but all the pieces are starting to come together, which they better be, our first show is next Thursday!
This space has been many years in the making. Since Jeremy and I purchased Duke’s in 2011, we’ve been planning for some live music in the building. As our kids have grown to be 14 and 11 years old, they have brainstormed with us as to how and when the music will come to Duke’s.
In 2014, we hosted the Good Lovelies for a one-time concert in the then-active boat building space. This show was inspired by Wendy Nicholson, who had hired Craig Cardiff to come and play at Kerr Park for her birthday. I loved the idea. And so, though it was definitely not my birthday (since that’s in February), we had the Good Lovelies come and do a concert just for the enjoyment of it. As a sound check, they did a little 30 minute concert for our kids, their kids and some other kids in the area (ours were 3yrs and 1yr old at that time). The main show later that night was for a sold out audience of 85 people, catered by Grand Electric.
As we get the space ready for our first show next week, I thought I would start a news feed, to track the progress, document the shows, and help us remember the history of the space in years to come.
Today and tomorrow, we have Fixtures doing the plumbing for the new washrooms, the kitchen and the bar. Last week we had Klos Concepts doing some electrical for us so that we have receptacles to plug in the various lights we are putting together, and to power our sound equipment that we picked up last week from Currie’s Music.
I’m sitting down now to get our first food orders in for next week for when Tobin Spring is coming to kick it off for the summer. We can’t wait to celebrate with those that join us next Thursday. Many have asked - tickets go on sale tomorrow at noon!
Thanks for following - let us know any requests for acts in the comments and we’ll see what we can do!