GX94 Backyard Concert

Is anyone else wondering where the time has gone? I feel like I’ve been saying this all week, but how has it already been SEVEN days since the GX94 Backyard Concert?!

Every year, this event is a highlight for me, but this year’s concert was extra special—and a little different from what I’m used to. Usually, I’m with the GX94 crew as we head out to the lucky winner’s home. There’s the excitement of meeting the winners, saying hello to their family and friends, and teaming up with Legacy Co-op to prepare a delicious backyard feast. We all gather together, waiting for the moment when, usually, Danny Ismond arrives with that year’s featured artist in tow. The concert itself always feels more like an intimate songwriter’s circle—the kind of show that gives you goosebumps and leaves you with stories to tell for years.

But this time, the tables turned. I was the one with the privilege of escorting our star guest to the big show. I picked up the incredible Kalsey Kulyk from her hotel, and together we hit the road for the 30-minute drive to our winner’s home, just outside Theodore. I’ll be honest—meeting someone new always brings a few concerns. What if the conversation doesn’t flow? What if the artist is a little too self-important (it happens!), or worse, prefers to ride in silence? Thank goodness for the radio, right?

But my worries melted away almost instantly. Kalsey, a fellow small-town prairie girl from Hudson Bay, was as warm and genuine as they come. We swapped stories about growing up in rural Saskatchewan, and how Yorkton was always “the big city” for those all-important shopping trips. And yes, as Danny always teases me, I couldn’t resist talking about my kids! Turns out, Kalsey’s also a proud “boy mom,” and we traded tales about pregnancy, sleepless nights, and the unique challenge of balancing motherhood with a career on the road. She shared sweet stories about her husband, Eric Ethridge, their wedding, and what kind of dad he is—and I found myself opening up and sharing my own family adventures in return. Honestly, if you tuned out the Nashville twang and her killer sense of style, you’d think she was just one of us—completely down-to-earth, relatable, and real.

The concert at Sharon and Robert Stuart’s farm was nothing short of magical. Kalsey’s performance was personal and heartfelt, weaving stories behind her songs with glimpses into her own life. It was the kind of night that reminds you why live music matters—those shared moments, laughter, and the feeling of community under the prairie sky. Looking back, I feel incredibly lucky to have had that extra one-on-one time with Kalsey. By the time we rolled back into Yorkton, our conversation had drifted to our favourite makeup brands! Isn’t it amazing how music can bring people together, spark new friendships, and remind us that deep down, we’re all more alike than we are different?

So, a huge congratulations to this year’s GX94 Backyard Concert winners, and an even bigger thank you to Kalsey Kulyk for staying true to her small-town roots as she rises in her country music career. Her brand new single drops today—be sure to listen for it and request it on the GX94 Request Show! Until next year, here’s to unforgettable backyard memories, amazing music, and the wonderful people who make it all possible. — Tonya Cherry

@gx94radio

From the stage to our winner’s backyard! Love @Kalsey Kulyk #fyp #backyardvibes #backyardconcert #summer #country #countrymusic #countryradio Tonya Cherry

♬ original sound – GX94Radio