arts & entertainment
“I started playing music and studying music very young, the violin and piano were my first two instruments,” she said. “I didn’t start singing or acting professionally until my teens, so looking back, having my parents enrolling me in so many things, always driving me places — it made it all possible for me.”
Porter says where she grew up influenced her both as a person and the music she makes today.
"I grew up doing things like going to stampedes and listening to country and the culture was such a big part of my life growing up,” she said. “I think it totally shaped my sound and even the fact that I’m doing country music — if I grew up elsewhere, well who knows?”
After moving to British Columbia after high school at the age of 18, Porter learned some lessons she says still stick with her today.
“Moving to a bigger city really expanded the pool of people who were trying out for the things I would be trying out for — it was really hard,” she said. “It was eye-opening for me to see so many people. There was a large period of time where I didn’t really do too much — I just needed to get things straight for me.”
After a number of successful singles and acting appearances, Porter signed a major record deal in Tennessee and is getting ready to release her first album. She says the key to her successes has been persistence.
“My biggest piece of advice for anyone in southeast Alberta trying to make a career out of music or acting would be to
I love Medicine Hat. I’ll always have family and
friends here — and this will always
be home. So many things will change, but that won’t.
Though she currently lives in Nashville, Porter remains in daily contact with her friends and family around Medicine Hat, sending demos back home whenever she finishes one.
“Whenever I write a song I send it to my brother, sister and parents to see if they like it — it’s pretty much the first thing I do, so they’re all heavily involved in what I do still,” she said.
study really hard,” she said. “I took years of acting lessons and music lessons — now I’m at the point where I can pound out 80 songs in a year — it’s a lot about repetition while learning the craft and realizing you need to keep getting better.”
“Having my brother (Kalen) have a music career himself was great for me, I’ve learned so much from him over the years."
Porter says she comes back to Alberta twice each year, and makes as many stops around the city as she can.
“I always come home for Christmas, and usually during the summer too,” she said. “Seeing family is the biggest thing for me — other than that I like to move around town, see my girl friends I have here and watch my sister play music around town.”
Porter says she will never forget the area that made her who she is.
“I love Medicine Hat,” she said. “I’ll always have family and friends here — and this will always be home. So many things will change, but that won’t.”❚
To Promote and Enhance Live Music as a Part of our Community and our Heritage
The Medicine Hat & District Live Music Club strives to provide and create experience for local talent, we off er a place for communication, education and experience for people wishing to share music.
Our members share achievement, commitment, dedication and camaraderie. The Live Music Club off ers Scholarships to promote and encourage the musical talents of Medicine Hat and District youth.
‘Weekly Live Music Jams’. We welcome people of all ages to attend and enjoy the experience. Anyone may acquire a membership to the Live Music Club for $12.00/yr.
For more information contact Bill Desbarres at 403-526-1070 59
41241800/03/28/2017
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