Mudmen wows audience at St. Marys Town Hall Theatre

The Canadian Celtic-country-rock band, Mudmen, performed for a Stonetown audience at St. Marys Town Hall Theatre Jan. 9.

By Galen Simmons, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Mudmen brought their signature Celtic-country-rock thunder to the St. Marys Town Hall Theatre during their annual concert in the Stonetown Jan. 9.

As part of their 2025-2026 tour of towns and cities, small and large, across Ontario, The Mudmen once again stopped in St. Marys, a show the members of the band look forward to each year.

“It was a good show; the crowd was nice,” said Mudmen bagpiper Robby Campbell. “They’re great people. We do really good in farming communities – we grew up in a farming community and St. Marys is very farm oriented. I think we went up against the Lincolns that are doing well, so that’s always a competitor, but St. Marys is nothing but good memories.”

Campbell says he always tries to bring his family to St. Marys around the holidays to see the Winter Lights down at Milt Dunnell Field and take in the holiday magic Stonetown is known for. This year, however, the snow over the holiday break kept him away, so he and his bandmates – his brother, Sandy Campbell, on bagpipes, Colin Amey on lead vocals and guitar, Andy Gingerich on drums, Alex Showdra on electric guitar and banjo, and Emett Glancie on bass – were glad to make it to town for their annual show.

No strangers to St. Marys, the Mudmen have sold out local shows a dozen times over the years while sharing stages with artists such as Johnny Reid, The Irish Rovers and The Guess Who. The Celtic-country-rock band has also opened for major international acts including ZZ Top, Loverboy, Brooks & Dunn, Sarah McLachlan and Glass Tiger. Their career highlights are extensive and include performing for the Queen, appearances at multiple Grey Cups, Briers and Memorial Cups, Canada’s Walk of Fame ceremonies, Hockey Night in Canada features and national television appearances on CBC, HBO and NBC.

Now in their 28th year together as a band, the Mudmen have played more than 3,000 shows in eight countries, building a loyal, multi-generational fan base. Robby Campbell, who co-founded the band with his brother, Sandy Campbell, credits smaller communities like St. Marys and rural Ontario for sustaining the band through the years without major label support.

As a final message for area fans before heading off on the rest of the band’s tour, Robby Campbell reminded locals of the importance of buying local and supporting Canadian.

“My brother always talks about shopping local and Canadian,” Robby Campbell said. “Just remember the community has to keep the town alive, and if you drive to the States to go shopping instead of going to Stratford or London or a bigger city, it’s going to hurt.

“ … Keep your dollars in the community and if you love Canadian music, go out and support it.”

For more information about the Mudmen and where they’re playing next, visit mudmen.ca.