KICK UP YOUR BOOTS WITH MELANIE MORGAN

BY ADAM BOWIE

     BOWIE.ADAM@DAILYGLENAER.COM
     07 JUNE 2012

   Talented Cap-Pelé singer-songwriter Melanie Morgan says she’s looking forward to  her headlining performance Friday evening at Maritime Countryfest.

Local music fans are gearing up for a special set by Morgan — the talented runner-up from last year’s nationally televised music competition Cover Me Canada — and local favourites Cookshack and Mandy Silk & Overdrive.

Morgan, who mixes elements of country, rock and folk into her sound, recorded her debut album Brand New Day in Nashville, Tenn. — an album that earned praise from the East Coast Music Awards and the Canadian Radio Music Awards.

When CBC released details about a new televised “battle-of-the-bands,” Morgan and her bandmates decided to give it a shot.

Chosen from thousands of artists to appear on the show, her band went on to finish second in the nationwide competition, but not before they got to showcase their talents on a national stage and work with popular Canadian music producers Hawksley Workman, Gavin Brown and Ron Fair.

She also had the opportunity to take the stage as the opening act for 2011 maritime Countryfest headliner Dr. Hook.    Morgan said that was a special thrill.

“Last year was my first time (at the festival) and it was definitely lots of fun,” she said. “This year we’re closing the show on Friday. I think it’s going to be a good time. We have some great songs — new songs, fun cover songs — ready for the crowd. People are going to have a lot of fun.”

She said her experiences on Cover Me Canada helped introduce her to new audiences across New Brunswick and Canada.

“We definitely had the time of our lives on that show. We were week-to-week, in the studio and on national TV, and it was a great experience,” she said.

“Most of all, it was exciting to see how much people were supporting the show and supporting us. It was amazing and overwhelming to see how much they actually cared. We didn’t know if it was going to be a big deal or not, but when we got on it we saw that people wanted to support us. I’m really appreciative.”

Morgan said it can be tough for up-and-coming artists to get their name out there, and the competition helped audiences across Canada see that they can perform under pressure — a trait that has helped her beef up her stage presence.

“It’s something to have songs on the radio and have your name out there just a little, but to be on national TV and performing songs, you may not be comfortable with (what) takes you out of your box a bit and made me a totally different performer,” she said.

“I’m more open to new things now. I’m more comfortable onstage. Being on live TV for 10 weeks kind of shakes you up a little bit. I believe it’s definitely improved my performance, for sure.”

The talented singer-songwriter, who’s currently working on her next recording, said she was especially grateful to see so many New Brunswickers show their support.

“We were afraid when it first started. They said, ‘This is going to be a social media show. The fans are going to take you from week to week,’ ” she said.“We thought, ‘Oh jeez, we’re from the smallest part (of the country).’ All the other contenders were from Vancouver, Toronto. We thought we were going to get voted off the first week. But, like they always say, when you come from a small town you get more support. People are much more close and this kind of stuff doesn’t happen very often. When it does, everyone gets on board.”

Morgan said Countryfest fans should bring their dancing shoes.

“I’m really excited about this one. We’ve got a good show planned,” she said.

Tickets are available at www.ticketpro.ca, at Covey Basics on Prospect Street, or at the entrance to the tent in Officers Square when the doors open at 7 p.m.  www.maritimecountryfest.com.