In Canada’s southernmost reaches, where live music culture runs deep and audiences know the difference between a good cover band and a truly immersive tribute, one act is making serious noise. This Thing We Started is not just another homage to the music of Bryan Adams — it’s a full-throttle celebration powered by decades of experience, chemistry, and an unapologetic love for one of Canada’s greatest musical exports.

Comprised of veteran southwestern Ontario musicians Chad Everaert, Kevin Harris, Don Garant, Jay Barrette, and Dustin O’Neil, This Thing We Started delivers the massive hooks, emotional ballads, and stadium-sized anthems that defined Bryan Adams’ career — and they deliver them with conviction. From the opening chords to the final encore, the band captures not only the sound, but the spirit of Adams’ music: raw, melodic, and relentlessly energetic.

Fronting the band is Chad Everaert, whose dual role as lead vocalist and guitarist anchors the show. A graduate of the Fanshawe Music Industry Arts Program, Everaert brings over 30 years of performance experience to the stage, backed by a professional career in audio engineering, video production, and graphic design. His background ensures that every show is as polished sonically as it is visually, while his vocal delivery channels the grit and heart fans expect from classic Bryan Adams hits.

On lead guitar, Kevin Harris adds precision, fire, and melodic sensibility shaped by years of touring, recording, and teaching. A former member of several late-’90s touring acts, Harris later transitioned into music education, influencing thousands of students while continuing to write and perform his own original material. His playing balances faithful recreation with tasteful personal flair — never flashy for the sake of it, always in service of the song.

Holding down the low end is bassist Don Garant, whose 30-plus years of experience provide the band’s rhythmic backbone. Known for his tight pocket and melodic approach, Garant’s playing locks seamlessly with drummer Jay Barrette — a high-energy powerhouse whose thunderous grooves have driven countless Windsor–Detroit area stages for over 25 years. Together, they form a rhythm section that’s both rock-solid and relentlessly propulsive.

Rounding out the lineup is keyboardist Dustin O’Neil, a master of texture and tone. With roots in tribute performance through his previous work and ongoing original projects, O’Neil uses technology and musical intuition to recreate the iconic sounds audiences recognize instantly, enhancing every chorus and breakdown seamlessly.

The result is a tribute act that feels less like imitation and more like a shared memory brought roaring back to life. One thing is certain — once the lights go up and the first song hits, you really can’t stop This Thing We Started!

CHAD EVERAERT
Vocals, Guitar

Chad Everaert is a vocalist and lead/rhythm guitarist, music composer and multi-instrumentalist. An alumnus of the Fanshaw Music Industry Arts Program, by trade he is an accomplished audio engineer, video content creator and graphic designer – working both freelance and for a Windsor area marketing business. Over the past 30 years he’s been a member of several original and cover bands including Less Than Useful, Hearsay, The Rock Show and Almost Famous.

KEVIN HARRIS
Lead Guitar, Vocals

Kevin Harris is an accomplished lead guitarist, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and music teacher. After several albums and tours of North America in the late-90’s with pop-punk locals Village Idiot and Liquid Car Crash, he decided to pursue teaching and was hired by the Public School Board. Since 2010, he has been teaching brass, woodwind, strings and percussion to thousands of young students. On the side, Kevin has performed with local cover bands The Source and Bigsexy, and still writes his own original music under the artist name ‘Kevinplaysguitar’. His latest CD, ‘The Duran.a.plan.’ is available through all major streaming services.

DON GARANT
Bass

Don Garant is a bass player with over 30 years of live performance and recording experience. Known for his solid groove, melodic bass lines, and tight pocket playing, he brings versatility and energy to every project he joins. Throughout his musical career, he has been a driving rhythmic force in a range of original and cover bands, including Less Than Useful, Last Minute, and Third Wheel.

JAY BARRETTE
Drums, Vocals

A high-energy powerhouse behind the kit, Jay Barrette has been laying down thunderous vibes across the Windsor–Detroit metro for over 25 years. Known for his precision and rock-solid rhythm, Jay has powered both original and cover acts including Hearsay, Garden of Souls, Breaking Echoes and The Source. Whether laying down a deep pocket or lighting up the room with dynamic fills, Jay brings fire and passion to every show – no slouches, just groove after groove that keeps you hooked.

DUSTIN O’NEIL
Keyboards

Dustin O’Neil is a versatile keyboardist who combines technical command with an eclectic musical palette that spans many genre. Dustin performed for many years with the local Beatles Tribute Liverpool Echo and is also currently a member of the local original band Harbouring Illusions. Driven by a passion for live performance, he specializes in harnessing technology to create authentic timbres which accurately evoke the sounds of original recordings. Whether layering lush textures or executing complex solos, Dustin’s focus is always to enhance the audience experience while supporting the other musicians with whom he shares the stage.