Nina Amelio performed at the Lions Head Pub on Friday night, accompanied by local singer and guitarist Jason Thomas. (Chelsea Novak/Castlegar News)

Nina Amelio performed at the Lions Head Pub on Friday night, accompanied by local singer and guitarist Jason Thomas. (Chelsea Novak/Castlegar News)

Castlegar pop singer headed to Hollywood

Amelio's song "Faded Away" was nominated for a Hollywood Music in Media award.

Castlegar pop singer Nina Amelio closed her set at the Lions Head Pub on Friday with a cover of “California Dreamin'” —a nod to her upcoming trip to Hollywood.

Amelio’s song “Faded Away” was nominated for a Hollywood Music in Media award earlier this year and will head to Avalon, a historic nightclub in Hollywood, for the awards ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 16.

Amelio will head down a few days early to spend time with her cousin before attending the red carpet event.

“My cousin actually lives there, so I have no idea what we’re going to do, but I’m going to stay at her place. … We’re going to do the red carpet, the awards and the after party,” she explained Friday night during an intermission.

Amelio hopes to be able to bring footage back from the awards and screen it for the community.

“They’re actually honouring a huge songwriter that night named Diane Warren. … She won a Grammy with Celine Dion. She won a Golden Globe. Like she’s a huge songwriter, so maybe I can bring the footage back,” she said.

RELATED: Nina Amelio nominated for music award

Amelio’s manager has also set up a couple of meetings during her time in L.A.

“And hopefully I’ll have another story to tell when I get back,” she said.

During Friday night’s performance, Amelio performed “Faded Away,” explaining to her audience that she was happy she’d had the chance to share the song with her brother Josh before he passed away. She also sang it at his celebration of life at the request of her grandmother.

“He heard the unfinished version of it and then when the opportunity came up, I really wanted to finish it for him and for the family,” she said.

Amelio is also planning to release new music in the new year.

Her music is available on her website at ninaamelio.com and via iTunes and Spotify.

Castlegar News