By Catherine O’Hara
REVIEW STAFF

It’s been an eventful few weeks for Waterdown country artist Ty Baynton.

Last month, he finished shooting his first official music video and received a nod for best country artist at Toronto’s Independent Music Awards on Oct. 6. Now, the 23-year-old University of Guelph graduate is getting ready for a cross-Canada tour with fellow country artist, Steve Rivers of Campbellville.

The two-week adventure kicks off in Waterdown on Friday, Nov. 2, when Baynton and Rivers perform at the Mill Street and 5 American House from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m.  The following day, they head west to Saskatoon, playing various gigs along the way.

Over the summer, the two musicians started jamming and soon realized that they had a lot of material in common. The idea of going on tour was mentioned, too – moreso as a joke. “Then, we realized that we were both able to do it,” said Baynton. “We started looking at it more seriously and starting planning it out.”

The tour will include 10 shows between Waterdown and the Saskatchewan city, where the pair originally met at the 2012 Canadian Country Music Awards.

In addition to promoting their music, the trip will boost community organizations along the way. At the local show, $1 from each ticket will support F.A.C.E., which funds research to cure cancers that affect firefighters. “Obviously, we are not going to be able to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars, but if we can put a couple hundred (dollars) towards each of the local charities in each of the places we play, we are doing pretty good,” said Baynton.

Already, fans looking forward to seeing Baynton and Rivers perform on Nov. 2 have snatched up tickets. Baynton encourages those who want to attend to purchase a ticket in advance.

Tickets cost $10 and are available at the Mill Street and 5 American House (324 Dundas St. East), at www.facebook.com/tybaynton or at www.tybaynton.com.