News
June 2010
YWCA WOMEN OF DISTINCTION
In May, I was honored to receive a Women of Distinction award in the category of Arts, Culture and/or Heritage. Every year these awards raise money for the organization by recognizing women's achievement and accomplishments. This is a really great honor. A huge thank you to my nominators, Lesley Biggs (from the Department of Women's and Gender Studies at the University of Saskatchewan) and singer/songwriter/actress Andrea Menard.
PHOTOS Big Belly, Small Guitar Show
A huge thanks to everyone for coming out and supporting my last show before taking a break to have the baby this July! My fabulous trio includes Soren Nissen on bass and Hal Schrenk on percussion.
Christa Robinson provided chamber music (a breathtaking surprise for the audience) to open the show...
Thanks to Mark Utley for supplying a video camera (YouTube clips to follow) and Dan Canfield for helping out with audio recording of the show. Jacob Semko showed off his amazing art work during the show, so be sure to check him out at http://www.rougegallery.ca/node/25
May 2010
TWO NEW RELEASES IN 2010
I'm very excited about the new album, which is being mixed and mastered as we speak! Had a great time in Nashville with Colin Linden making this record and I can't wait to share it with you. But it must wait and here's why!!
I'm having a baby in JULY! So the album will be released this fall to stores and radio, followed by a "Baby on Board" tour starting in spring 2011. I'll be touring Canada and Texas and including lots of house concerts as well--so let me know if you'd like a show in your community and I'll try to make that happen! Very excited about showing off these two new releases (baby and album...) to the world!
JUNE SHOWS--BIG BELLY, SMALL GUITAR TOUR
Before baby arrives, I'll be performing some great shows in June. See tour page for tickets and details! Included in this tour is an annual show at my own house concert venue, The Hayloft, featuring my trio--Hal Schrenk (percussion) and Soren Nissen (bass)--and Christa Robinson (oboe, french horn) performing an opening set and during the show. We'll have artwork from Jacob Semko, and new songs to show off!
MUSIC VIDEO--The story behind "Rockabye"
Live video footage from the June 17 show at the Hayloft will be featured in a music video for "Rockabye", an intimate song on the new album about the desire to become a mother. The song was written and recorded before I found out I am pregnant. Join me on June 17 and be part of this story. I'll let you know when the final video is available this summer!
April 2010
VIDEO FROM FOLK ALLIANCE
We had a really great time at Folk Alliance this past February 2010. Colin Linden, who produced my new record, was there and sat in on a few of my showcases. Was a total delight playing with him again! Of course, we got to see many of our good friends. So I thought I'd share a little video of our Memphis experiences! Check it out on youtube.
NEW ALBUM....DELAYED!
Work on the new album is moving along. The talented Michael Wrycraft is working away on graphic design, overdubs are being added and mixing and mastering will be happening soon! Kari Estrin will be promoting the album, which will be released this fall. I'll be sneaking a new previews to my loyal fans this June so stay tuned for more updates on that!
FACTOR AND SASK ARTS BOARD
I just received news that I received a Sound Recording grant from FACTOR for the production of this album. I think I've been applying to this program since I began my career--but it's really competitive! So I'm extremely grateful for their support. The Saskatchewan Arts Board and SaskMusic have also been huge supporters of this album, and I can't wait to share the final results with all of you.
January 2010
CBC "Canada Live"
On Monday, February 8 CBC Radio 2 will be airing a live concert of mine that was recorded at my own house concert venue The Hayloft. The show starts at 7pm, and my concert will be featured during the second half of the show around 7:30pm. (Tune into 105.5 FM in Saskatoon!)
The show is also streamed on the web at www.cbc.ca/radio2. It's actually streamed live in all five time zones, so there are five chances to hear it there!
FOLK ALLIANCE IN MEMPHIS
I'll be heading back to Memphis this month to showcase at the International Folk Alliance conference in Memphis! Colin Linden (who produced and performed on my upcoming album) will be there performing with me for some of the five showcases I'm doing over our four day stay--so we're sure to have the experience of a lifetime, catch up with some great friends, and get absolutely no sleep! Watch for pictures and stories to come up on my blog!
NEW ALBUM
This December 2009, I finished recording the new album with producer Colin Linden! Now we're doing a few overdubs and mixing the album. Stay tuned for news about the upcoming release! It features some of the songs you've all been requesting, including "Rockabye", "Wilderness," and "All the Distance." I'm so excited about the people who performed on the album (producer and guitarist Colin Linden, Chris Donohue).
I just finished a fabulous photo shoot with Shannon Brunner at my favorite Saskatoon cafe--Caffe Sola. Here's a sneak peak above!
HAYLOFT HOUSE CONCERTS
While I'm in Saskatoon, hatching grand schemes for the release of a new album and conspiring the takeover of the world, I'm also hosting a few exciting house concerts. Visit the Hayloft website to check out when Juno winners Twilight Hotel, glorious crooners The Good Lovelies, or the jazzy Elizabeth Shephard Trio will be at my place!
October 2009
ONTARIO COUNCIL OF FOLK FESTIVALS This week, I'm heading to the OCFF conference in Ottawa, and am really excited about reconnecting with some great friends, and learning a few things along the way. I'll be doing a few private showcases (see tour dates for times) as well as working with Jill Zmud on presenting The Hayloft showcase room! I've been writing, rehearsing, singing my heart out...as well as designing sandwich boards built out of weathered barn board in preparation to host a great party! With the help of SaskMusic, we're preparing to make a big splash out east. Keep posted on Twitter and my blog for updates from the road.
THE MINT, Building Art Space in Saskatoon I'm currently working with a great team (deezine.ca, Shift Development, lee-koopman projects, Bueckert Home & Cottage Design, Caffe Sola) on developing a proposal to the City of Saskatoon to convert a downtown warehouse into The Mint, a dynamic workspace for creative industries. Imagine artists and entrepreneurs working together in a vibrant creative hub of activity with an outstanding cafe and performance space on the main floor! I'm meeting with innovative communities all around the city talking to prospective tenants. If you're interested, get some info here. But if you really want in on this incredibly unique and exciting space, talk to my survey and let's start the conversation. I'd love to hear from you. Proposal will be submitted November 13!
September 2009
SWRFA I was accepted to perform an official showcase in Austin, Texas for the Southwestern Regional Folk Alliance. While I'm in Texas, I'll be performing other private showcases, refining my drawl and training my palate in the art of BBQ (official state cuisine). I'll be working with promoters and industry members in Texas to book a tour in that state this spring when the new album is released!
I HEART BIKE LANES Recently the City of Saskatoon took one step towards making this car-dominant city just a bit friendlier for cyclists by painting bike lane logos on the streets. To recognize this step in the right direction, Daren McLean from deezine.ca has initiated i heart bike lanes, using a new form of activism: the PDT (Public Display of Thanks). I'll be performing on a mini bike-propelled float with Karrnnel as we join a huge crowd of cyclists biking down to City Hall on Sept 28. Check out my tour page for more details.
August 2009
CBC's CONCERTS ON DEMAND This June, CBC radio came to The Hayloft and recorded my live concert, featuring fiddle player Karrnell, Hal Schrenk on drums, Sam Mitchell on flute/mandolin, and Soren Nissen on bass. We absolutely packed the place! The concert is now available at CBC's Concerts on Demand. Search for Carrie Catherine and you'll find it! The concert will also air on CBC's SoundXchange on Sept 5. Check the tour dates for details.
READ Saskatoon I've recently been named Poet Laureate for READ Saskatoon's annual golf tournament. I know. Poet Laureate for a golf tournament? The tournaments take place all across the country, building on the vision of its founder CBC's Peter Gzowski. So on September 18, I'll be whirling around the Willows Golf Course with Shelagh Rogers, taking in the event and creating a new work inspired by the golfers, to be revealed during the awards ceremony and banquet that evening. Check out the tour schedule for more details!
FIREWORKS FESTIVAL On September 4 and 5, I'll be performing during Saskatoon Fireworks Festival! I'll gather together the whole band for a show in the glass lobby of the Persephone Theatre in Saskatoon, with a stunning view of the Saskatchewan River. Our show will build to a beautiful climax, revealing our surprise guest performer before an eruption of fireworks above the river! The ticket includes wine and beautiful food catered by Calories. GET TICKETS AND INFO HERE.
Summer 2009
What a crazy summer it's been. Had great festival shows down in Southern Sask--thanks to all our hosts and fans for making these forays into the prairie so memorable. Lots of activity at The Hayloft this summer, with some remarkable house concerts (Patrick Brealey, LAL, Betty Ann Heggie to name a few). In June, I even hosted my own house concert, with CBC recording the shows for future broadcast on "Canada Live." See my blog for pictures and stories.
In July, we invited some kids down to the Hayloft for a show recorded by Shaw TV for a future television series. The kids were amazing, and the place was trashed--remnants of cookies, juice boxes, and licorice the sweet aftermath of this adventure.
NEW ALBUM The really exciting news is that we're starting to record the new album this August in Nashville! Colin Linden is producing and (of course) playing on the album and he's invited some really gifted musicians to collaborate with us. I'm grateful to the Saskatchewan Arts Board for their support, as well as SaskMusic!
May 2009
KERRVILLE FOLK FESTIVAL Just returned from the Kerrville Folk Festival, which is one of the most unique experiences I've had at a festival. Check out photos and stories on my blog. I went to the festival to compete in their New Folk songwriting competition and am incredibly honored to announce that I'm one of the six winners chosen to perform again at the festival! Thanks so much to the Rouse House, our amazing hosts while we were at the festival. We met such fine folks down in Texas, at the festival and touring around San Antonio and Austin. Look forward to returning next spring for a tour!
April 2009
KERRVILLE FOLK FESTIVAL The esteemed Kerrville Folk Festival has a songwriting competition each year, and I recently learned that I'm one of the 30 finalists out of 800 submissions. I'm incredibly honored, and look forward to making it down to Kerrville, Texas to perform on May 24!
HAYLOFT HOUSE CONCERTS My house concert series has a busy month--I'm very excited to have my good friends Ann Vriend, Matt Epp, and Richard Carnegie performing. We're also hosting a girl's night with Betty-Ann Heggie (The Stilletto Chick) talking about womentorship. Check it out on the blog.
March 2009
FOLLOW THE NASHVILLE EXPERIENCE Lots of updates and stories coming from Nashville. Soon I'll be adding some demos that we're cutting down here and photos. Until then visit:
MYSPACE for blogs and stories from Nashville
TWITTER for the up to the minute report
YOUTUBE for video that has nothing to do with Nashville
March 2009
SONGWRITING IN NASHVILLE I'm currently spending two weeks in Nashville, songwriting with some fantastic writers, including Vince Melamed and Eric Bikales. I need to say a huge thank you to Jim Tract at Adroit Records for showing me around Nashville and introducing me to some great writers. I'll also be talking to Colin Linden next week about producing the next album, so the wheels are in motion. I can't tell you how inspiring and educational this time in Tennessee has been, and I know that will make for some interesting creative decisions for the next album. The scene down here is amazing! My blog is currently out of order, so all my updates are currently on my myspace page. Look there for stories and photos from Memphis and Nashville.
TOURING This summer, I'll be doing some touring in Western Canada, so if you're in Western Canada and want to host a house concert, please let me know here.
February 2009
FOLK ALLIANCE CONFERENCE IN MEMPHIS I've just returned from the International Folk Alliance in Memphis, where I showcased with Sam Mitchell. We played, attended workshops, met incredible people from around the world, got totally inspired and left exhausted. The conference was invaluable for helping Sam and I expand our touring into the States this year! I want to say a huge thank you to FACTOR, SaskMusic, and SOCAN for supporting our work down in Memphis and to the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals for promoting and supporting us in Memphis--the Canadians were the buzz of the festival in large part thanks to these folks!
The conference was intense and amazing--music around the clock from around the globe. We got to hear and play with some crazy musicians! In addition, I went to the Rev Al Green's church and got schooled on soul music, visited Stax Records, and the Civil Human Rights Museum where Martin Luther King was shot. The experience was life-changing, and as soon as my blog is working again, I'll upload the photos and stories from Memphis!
NASHVILLE In less than two weeks, I'll be heading to Nashville to do some songwriting and get ready for the next album. Looking forward to music city!