Kylee Epp has toured across Canada with Canadian Country Music star Jessie Farrell opening for big names like Alan Jackson and Faith Hill among others, but equally exciting is what’s happening right now in her career, she said.
“I’m heading in the right direction,” she said. “It’s really exciting.”
The former Qualicum Beach resident has recently released her first single Be Your Girl and shot the music video in Vancouver earlier this month, set to premiere on CMT Canada any day now.
She has been selected to perform at the Canadian Country Music Association’s (CCMA) New Artist Showcase Event this fall and she is the winner of the provincial segment of the CCMA FanFest Performance Poll Contest. This means she’ll move on to compete in the national event representing B.C. for a chance to perform in FanFest during PotashCorp Country Music Week at the 2012 Canadian Country Music Association Awards taking place in Saskatoon this fall.
Beyond that Epp was recently in Calgary, Alberta where she did a radio tour, including a live performance for Country 105 at the Calgary Stampede and she performed at the Stampede’s Nashville North tent as well with Canadian Country music performer Jason Blaine.
Epp grew up in Qualicum Beach and starting singing at a young age.
“My parents talk about me singing when I was just still an infant or one and two years old,” she laughed.
She played at family gatherings and community events and she quickly began turning heads. She teamed up with local recording artist Paul Laine when she was about 13 years old and recorded some demos, and by 15 she had her own band and was singing pop.
It was around this time that Epp was also making waves in the sea, winning the Canadian Roxy/Quicksilver Junior Women’s Surfer Championship twice in Tofino.
Back on land, Epp said she experimented with a number of music styles, but after moving to Vancouver and working with Ferrell, she fell in love with country music.
“Touring with Jessie I sort of immersed myself in the country world and I fell in love with it. I started writing country songs and that was it,” she said. “I fell in love with the fans and I fell in love with the community.”
Epp worked with Ferrel for three years, singing backup and playing acoustic guitar. She played large venues like Calgary’s Saddledome and Vanouver’s GM Place and said it was amazing to be on stage performing for huge, sold-out crowds. But it whet her appetite for more.
“I would definitely love to be going through next time as the one standing up front playing my songs,” she said.
Epp said being a country music performer in Canada feels like you’re part of a family, and it’s a lot of fun to be a part of.
CCMA’s New Artist Showcase event will happen Sept. 6 during CCMA‘s PotashCorp Country Music Week in Saskatoon, with the Canadian Country Music Association Awards happening Sunday, Sept. 9.
Past Showcase performers include Paul Brandt, Shania Twain and Aaron Pritchett. Epp will showcase her talent in front of record label reps, talent buyers, and managers, but she’s not daunted by the task.
“I don’t think there’s any magic that can be done I plan to just be myself and put on the best show that I can and hope for the best.”
Look for Epp’s EP this September, her single is available on itunes, and her music video on CMT Canada.
Also check out her website for music samples, updates and more www.kyleeepp.com.
