With the 2007 Pacific Songwriting Competition entering it's final months, the quality of entries is again proving to be a veritable treasure trove of new and established talent. The remarkable story of PSC entrant and Country singer/songwriter Brandi Morin is the classic story of triumph over hardship - how country is that!
Brandi Lee Morin, a country singer-songwriter from Stony Plain, Alberta, Canada, is poised to burst back onto the music scene that she had showed so much promise in just a few years ago.
The powerful emotion so evident in her voice, and in her songs, comes from the personal struggles and heartache the 25-year-old Metis woman has battled through all of her life. Coming from a broken home which she ran away from at the age of 12, this strong-willed girl eventually found a voice - literally - in country music.
She began performing on stage, and her life began to change. Only 15-years-old at the time, she soon found herself singing in an Edmonton saloon on weekends with fellow teenager Adam Gregory. The two friends were soon touring the wide-open skies of Alberta together with a hectic schedule of singing engagements. Rodeos. Community events. Telethons. Fundraisers. But soon the paths of the two singers took very different directions.
Gregory went on to sign with Sony Music and become a Canadian household name as an up-and-coming country star. But as Morin's teen years began to merge into adult life, and in the face of growing personal problems, the promise of a successful music career began to lose the battle for control of her life.
It was a fast slide into darkness for the young performer. Endless partying. Trouble with the law. Heartbreaks and family turmoil. After only a few years Morin was no longer singing, but a single mom of three children, all from different fathers, and she found herself a woman who was using an ever-increasing amount of booze and drugs to hide the pain of real life.
That slide stopped last year, when she picked up the guitar her father had given her as a Christmas present and decided to learn how to play, and how to write.
She began composing her own songs, and recording herself using the built-in microphone on her home computer. She also began accepting the love and help of her family, her church, and local support services, which all began to help get Morin back on her feet. Her life grew brighter and happier the more she delved back into her passion for country music.
One night while singing around a campfire with friends, she was encouraged to cut a demo of her material. That led Morin on a path to Nashville, where she connected with well-established musician and producer Gary Carter. The two of them are now working on Morin's debut CD.
Through it all, two things have given this talented young woman hope and the promise of a better life for herself and her children: faith, and music.
It's been a long, tough journey for Morin, but she's come through stronger than ever and ready to show the world her considerable talent.
Morin is a proud mother. A proud Christian. A proud aboriginal woman. And in addition to all of this, she is now a proud songwriter, and you will be sure to hear that pride in her new CD and in the bright future that now stretches out before her.
Keep up with Brandi and the aspirations of many other creative songwriters through the official PSC website at www.pacificsongwritingcompetition.com
All country music artists have to start somewhere, and most often that's amongst family, friends or their local community. The best country music isn't necessarily found in the world of the existing popular or famous stars, but often in the small clubs, venues and organisations that provide country performers of any "level" the chance to share their music. That's the true nature of country music, it comes from the heart and real lives of real people.
Giving all artists the opportunity to air their music to a wider audience is an important aim of Country Music Broadcasting. CMB is keen to hear from show presenters, artists and country music organisations to see what assistance, support, promotion and broadcast opportunities CMB can help provide. Remember everyone has a beginning, and this offer via CMB to be heard on-air is an excellent chance to achieve exposure. So don't hesitate to contact CMB with your ideas and suggestions or to let CMB Radio know about any existing country radio shows you believe could benefit from the backing or support of CMB.
If you would like to be considered for an on-air interview, please do not hesitate to contact CMB. You will then be contacted requesting further details and/or to make appropriate interview arrangements.
