Canadian Country Singer Creates “Our Own Mexico” In The Great White North

Pete Fisher
4 years ago
• Categories: Editor Choice, entertainment, Local

Canadian country singer Aiden McGill has released a song that is perfect for these COVID times.

The song called “Our Own Mexico” is a catchy tune he recorded at his studio in Hastings.

McGill grew up in Newcastle where he started singing, then moved to Roseneath and has called Hastings home for the last several years.

Growing up he played single and duo gigs in clubs in Toronto and Durham Region. He traveled to Nashville during those times and eventually started playing with a full band and recorded his 1st album titled “Far From Perfect” at Bentonwood Records in Whitby. His second studio project “Two Sides” was a six song EP that had four singles released and played on Canadian Country Music Radio. Fast forward 11 or so years and here we are now with his third studio project, which was recorded in his own studio3a, will have his next (5th) single release from it.

The song was written by McGill about a place he loves – Mexico.

It’s official release for country radio is Monday, February 8, 2021.

Before the pandemic McGill would visit Mexico many times a year.

He first started going approximately 15 years ago and jokingly says when he was about 25-pounds lighter.

“I love the food, I love the people and my favourite all time place to go is Acapulco.”

The original song was written when McGill had just got back from a trip to Mexico and was in Nashville writing songs with Tim Taylor. A friend of Tim’s showed up (Shawn Christian), and the trio decided to pen a tune together. Having just returned from Mexico, Aiden wanted to keep his excitement from his trip going and the song started to begin.

The three writers came up with the song Way North Mexico, but when COVID hit, it was a time when he could only reminisce about his sanctuary down south – a place he loved. So after tweaking the words to fit these times, Our Own Mexico was born.

“The similarities with snow and sand is amazing.”

McGill’s home and recording studio is on a hill south of Hastings where it gets very windy.

“Certain times you go outside and you can see how the snow is moving and it’s almost like the beach. That’s how much I love it.”

McGill shot the video for the song by himself using photos and videos of trips he’s taken to Mexico.

His musical journey allowed him to open for such great acts as Amanda Wilkinson, Gretchen Wilson, Johnny Reid, Aaron Pritchett, George Fox, Deric Ruttan, been on the same bill as Keith Urban, Brooks & Dunn and more. Previous radio airplay along with playing as many events as possible helped him get on venues with these well known artists, be on playlists on many stations in Canada, and it had opened many doors both in music and other things. Along with the music, he decided to open a restaurant (hence the love of food). Banjo’s Grill was created. However during all of this excitement, McGill’s mother became seriously ill and he took a break from music.

“Releasing music had to be put on the back burner for a while,” McGill said relaxing at his Hastings studio.

While still restauranting, playing local gigs, recording other artists in his studio, and helping events find musical acts but just not releasing anything to radio, he opened up McGillicafey’s Pub and Eatery. This is a place he wanted to have for musicians to showcase their talent, to promote LIVE MUSIC, and offer an excellent menu for food lovers like him. It was his way of staying in the game.

Each business is located along the banks of the Trent River in Hastings which in normal times is amazing in the summer season for boater and tourist traffic. Banjo’s Grill had new owners take over in 2018 and that allowed McGill to begin his continuation of entertaining.

“I really wanted to get back into music and I’m at a point in my life where I’m able to do so.” I have an excellent partner, a great team of staff and that has allowed me to not have to be onsite there.
Owning businesses at anytime is a struggle. During a pandemic, it adds that much more stress.

“One thing I’ve learned – nothing is easy. There are always things thrown at you and you have to adapt.”

With restaurants having to shutdown for eat-in dining, eventually they were allowed to re-open for outside only dining on the patio.

Being fortunate to have a large greenspace behind McGillicafey’s, the weather was very co-operative for the summer of 2020. They were able to have approximately the same amount of seats outside that they had inside, he admits they had a, “very good summer,” all things considered, although they were closed solid for six weeks when COVID commenced.

Luckily, they were able to employ their full staff and then some.

“Thank goodness the weather was on our side. So many restaurants/pubs and bars will not be re-opening and Live Music is almost moving into an extinction level, mostly due to insurance obstacles and skyrocketing operating costs, perhaps due to Covid, perhaps not.”

Certainly not stating COVID is a good thing, McGill said “it’s definitely brought people down a little.”

“I found before everything was rush, rush, rush. I hate to say the word “refreshing,” because COVID, it’s a horrible thing, but it makes people see things a little differently.”

When 2020 came along McGill uses the pun it would be the year of “perfect vision.”

Then COVID hit.

“I kind of was right because people are looking at things a lot clearer then they were before – the important things.”

McGill wrote the original version of the song a few years ago – long before COVID with co-writers Tim and Shawn.

“The song wasn’t about COVID, but there is a lot of the stuff in it that fits the times. I changed a few words and it suits the times.” With not being able to go on a vacation south, not being able to visit people outside your own home and not being able to do much of anything.”

He hopes everyone will enjoy his take on staying at home.

“COVID personally has given me an injection of more creativity. I’m just able to do so now.”

As this pandemic continues with no real end in the near future, McGill hopes people enjoy the song.

“I truly, truly believe it fits the time. It’s generated more energy for me to be creative.”

“I just want people to try and get a bit of enjoyment out of the song and hopefully make people smile.”

This is the first of 12 songs by McGill that will be completed and released as singles.

Check out the the video of Our Own Mexico on Youtube and visit www.aidenmcgill.ca if you’d like to learn more about Aiden McGill.