At the tender age of 11, my parents discovered that I could sing. To be honest, I didn't even realize that my voice was good enough for someone to take notice. My parents immediately enrolled me in vocal training with Sheila Beaton in my hometown of Watford, Ontario.
My musical influences over the years have been Barbra Streisand, Linda Ronstadt, Patsy Cline, Melissa Etheridge, Amanda Marshall and Heart and I grew up listening to the sounds of the Big Band Era through my late father's influences. As far as rock bands, Rush (of course), Styx, Foreigner, Boston and Kansas.
My first band was with a young group of musicians from the Kerwood/Strathroy, Ontario area called "The Reflections". I believe I was 13 years old at the time and the oldest member in our group was 15. I was the lead vocalist with The Reflections for 3 yrs (1977 to 1980) when I met another band called "Roger Quick and the Rainbows" when we were performing at the Forest Fair. Roger approached me and asked if I would like to join their group and I accepted.
The doors really opened for me. Roger entered me in the 1st Annual BX93 Country Roads Competition and I tied for first place with Terry Sumsion and Stagecoach in April 1981 when the finals were held at Centennial Hall in London, Ontario. The prize was a recording studio package at the now defunct Springfield Sound. A few months later, I won the Canadian Open Singing Competition in Simcoe, Ontario (1981 and 1982).
It was a very busy time between 1980 and 1981. We travelled all over Canada and the U.S. performing for Sperry New Holland at Plowing Matches. We were on several shows ranging from the Grand Ole Opry Show (Canada), Mohawk Jamboree to Twin Creek. The stars on these shows to mention a few were The Oakridge Boys, Ronnie Milsap, Charlie Pride, Tammy Wynette, George Jones and Brenda Lee.
I attended the Academy of Country Music Awards in Ottawa in the fall of 1982 with my mom. That was quite the experience and was presented with an Award from The Academy of Country Music Entertainment for my musical contributions. I was also presented with an award by the Rotary Club of Canada for appearing as a guest speaker at their annual meeting. I have been on several television shows and radio interviews. I recorded jingles for Downtown London, the Golden Auto Mile (car dealerships on Wharncliffe Rd., London) and Siskinds, The Law Firm, where I have been employed since January, 1991.
Roger Quick and his family moved to Georgia in 1982 and it was time for me to go it alone. I formed my own band called "Tanglewood". Through many trials and tribulations, I folded the band and hired a group from the Toronto area called "Whiskey River" as my back-up band for various bookings. We played the Southwestern Ontario bar circuit as well as special functions. I was also the entertainment for Ford Motor Company for the week at the Lucan Plowing Match in 1983.
I made a decision in the latter part of 1983 that it was time to slow down playing full time. I married my best friend Dale in July 1984. We live in London with our 2 furry children (dogs) Albany and Oreo and we spoil them rotten. We love to travel when the pocket book allows and luckily we both enjoy the outdoors together sipping on some coolly pops at our poolside, fishing, camping, gardening, admiring beautiful sunsets and just plain goofing off!!
I took a long hiatus from being in a band but continued to sing at various functions on a solo basis. I must admit, I truly missed the band scene and my husband continuously encouraged me to do more with my music. In March 2005, I teamed up with a talented guitarist from London, Bruce Hansen, and together we formed our 5 piece band called "Blackrock".
My passion is music and I sing from the heart. I am always looking at ways to reach the audience and I really listen to what they have to say. The reward is the response we receive from them and the looks on their faces. I am not only singing for myself, I am singing for them and I want to touch those hearts that are there to listen. |
