Some of the biggest names in the Canadian country music business come together for show geared towards Canada's French community.

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Sarah Ratchford

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Moncton's Théâtre l'Escaouette will be opening its doors to the public this month for the filming of variety series Pour l'amour du country.

The show, currently in its seventh season, features performances by some of the biggest names in the Canadian country music business. While both Francophone and Anglophone artists participate, the show is largely geared toward Canada's French community.

Director and Producer Francois Savoie says that the show is "simple, and catered to the Quebec French Canadian market. It's a genre they like with stars that they like."

This year the show, which is hosted by Patrick Norman, will include such talents as Michelle Wright, Jimmy Warren, and Jason McCoy "" artists Savoie describes as "some of the bigger names".

Taping will occur Friday June 5, and the show will feature performances by Catherine Durand, Denis Richard, Etienne Drapeau and Julie Daraîche. On June 6, Luc De Larochellière, Mélanie Grenier, Michel Russell and Shirley Albert will perform, and June 7 will have appearances by Carol Ann King, Chuck Labelle, Marie King and Rhéal LeBlanc.

This week's taping will conclude on June 8, and feature Bruce Daigrepont, Carolyne Jomphe, Danny Boudreau and Gord Bamford.

Taping will resume on June 11, and wrap up on June 12.

Participants are recruited through a variety of methods, including surveys which are distributed to determine the hottest artists at festivals, on the ground contacts, and requests.

Savoie says that he does some of the recruiting himself.

"We try to get between 15 and 20 new artists every year. It's a bit of a risk, and a fun challenge," he says.

The producer estimates that the show will have 85-90 French performers, and as many as 10 English ones. He feels that the show represents Quebec and Canadians as a whole.

"Quebec culture is very much a part of Canadian culture," he says.

Savoie describes Pour l'amour du country as having the potential to become quite the party. He makes special reference to Michael Rivard, whom he describes as the Burton Cummings of the French community.

"He's like an icon. Whenever he comes on our show he grabs a beer and gets down and dirty. That's one of the bonuses of the series."

The series attempts to be diverse in its content, says Savoie.

"There's a lot of non-country as well. As Patrick says, 'Good music is good music.'

"A lot of it is pleasant to the eye. We're very proud. It's pleasant to watch."

Savoie does not see an end in sight for the show; he says he'd personally like to keep it going for another 10 years.

The series airs on ARTV, a specialty channel that, outside of Montreal and Quebec City, needs to be specially ordered.

"It's well worth it, it has a lot of good programming," says Savoie. He says the channel comes with four or five others as well.

Last year's season of the series is currently being shown on ARTV.

Pour l'amour du country also airs on Radio-Canada.

Tickets are available for $7 each at théâtre l'Escaouette, Mon-Fri 9 a.m. "" 5 p.m., or by calling 855-0001 ext. 101.