New tbird concert expects to keep growing

It was a summer send-off the likes of which Langley’s premier equestrian show park has never seen before.

A field full of specially designed show jumps were dismantled and stored away, clearing the large grassy horse arena for 3,000-plus people to gather for the inaugural tbird Summer Sound Off concert – what organizers are saying will be the first of many to come.

The Summer Sound Off will be an annual concert for the community, and each year they will bring in different well-known artists to perform, said Dana Matheson, who along with his wife are the new owners of the Thunderbird Show Park.

“Thanks for rocking with us at the first-ever Summer Sound Off. This is only the beginning,” he said.

Speaking to the crowd part way through the evening, Matheson was enthused with the first large-scale concert event he and his family have hosted at their new equestrian facility. Earlier this year, the Matheson’s bought tbird from the Tidball family, who founded the facilities more than 50 years ago.

“How about this show,” he said, taking the stage with his wife and partner, Laurel. “What a night!” he added.

“I saw this venue here and I thought this is an amazing concert venue. I knew this was going to be incredible for a concert. We moved forward, and we just did it. And you all showed up. And this is going to happen on an annual basis every year,” Matheson shared to a resounding cheer from the crowd.

“We’re going to get it bigger and bigger,” Matheson said. “We’re going to get 10,000 people out here. It’s going to be unbelievable.”

In addition to bringing this specific event back, tbird will also be running other events. As well as expanding horse shows into the winter months, Matheson said they will be bringing back Christmas in the Country in December 2027.

In the meantime, speaking more about Summer Sound Off, he described it as an “amazing” event.

“I was extremely pleased with how well received the event was for a first annual,” Matheson said.

“The energy was incredible and the performers absolutely brought it all night long,” he said, also extending thanks to his tbird staff, acknowledging it was a crazy busy weekend for the show park crew who also hosted two RCMP Musical Ride shows the same weekend – one on the Saturday of the concert, and one on Sunday morning.

“You continue to impress me with your world-class hospitality and care. Let’s do it all over again in August 2027,” he said to the staff and family involved.

“Our staff at Thunderbird Show Park, led by president and CEO Chris Pack is amazing. They’ve proven than not only can they put on world-class equestrian events, but they can handle anything… You knocked it out of the park,” Matheson said.

He also unloaded thanks to other people involved in creating the concert, including local country music favourite Karen Lee Batten (KLB Entertainment), with guidance from industry veteran Billy Jo Aasen.

He gave the biggest heaping of gratitude on the crowd who came out for the inaugural event.

“Thank you so very much for being part of this,” he said. “Our family and team are looking forward to bringing in more world-class entertainment and ensuring this is a great event for our community for many years to come.”

The concert also served as a fundraiser for the Matheson family’s charitable foundation, which supports many community organizations, with a heavier focus on alleviating cost barriers for youth in sports.

“We aren’t 100 per cent [sure] as of yet how much was raised for the foundation,” he said, but explained the foundation supports five $3,000 riding scholarships for young U18 equestrian riders, as well as scholarships for football players. They also put on free camps for Langley Minor Lacrosse and more.

“We will continue to align ourselves with other community charitable programs as well by hosting their events so that they can keep more of the proceeds in their organization to help this community. So, we have a lot planned at tbird, and our family and team are very excited for what the future holds.”

Others in the community went on social media in the days following Summer Sound Off to hail the new event’s success.

Among them was Chris Ruscheinski, who with his twin brother, Jamie, started Gone Country. Two years ago, they moved it across the street from tbird at the MacInnes Farm, and the twins have been working closely with Mathesons and their team. Chris said he was excited to see the addition of another big outdoor music event to Langley.

“It’s great to see more country music in Langley. Hats off to Dana, Chris [Park], and Drew, and the KLB team for making this happen,” Ruscheinski said.

One of the concert emcees, Nicole Wood, from KLB Entertainment, also gave a shout out to Batten, tbird, Matheson, and Chris Pack for bringing more live music to the community.

“Your team are first class, and the venue is absolutely stunning. I left with clean white cowboy boots!” she added with a chuckle. “Can’t wait for year two.”