Leanne Lightfoot, a folk singer and songwriter from Millarville who performs regularly in Bragg Creek, has been making waves in the music scene with her heartfelt and authentic compositions.
And now, she's getting recognition for that impact with a nomination for this year's YYC Music Awards.
Lightfoot’s new single 'Cry Baby' has received a nomination for the People's Choice Award at this year's YYC Music Awards. Calgary-area music enthusiasts have the opportunity to cast their votes until Aug. 7 to show their support.
The Millarville resident's musical journey began within a family of musicians, dating back to her grandparents.
“Music has always been a thing we just did for fun,” she said.
However, it was her eldest daughter's involvement in opera competitions that inadvertently pushed Lightfoot into the spotlight.
To help her daughter cope with overcoming stage fright, Lightfoot suggested performing together at local coffee shops. This step not only eased her daughter's performance anxieties, but also ignited Lightfoot's own passion for performing publicly.
“It just took off from there,” she said.
With a range of instruments always around, including piano, banjo, and guitar, Lightfoot honed her skills and eventually found herself embracing the path of a genuine musician.
The creation of 'Cry Baby' was an organic process for Lightfoot. While jamming with her bandmate Jamie Newsom, who plays bass for her, they stumbled upon a captivating riff that formed the track's foundation.
“Someone who I knew quite well was going through a nasty break-up, so we just kind of took that experience and put it into words,” Lightfoot said.
Infused with genuine emotion and relatability, the song's heartfelt narrative resonates with listeners, capturing the essence of human experiences.
Bragg Creek, a hamlet known for its support of local artists, has played a significant role in Lightfoot's musical journey.
For the last two years, Lightfoot has regularly graced the stage at Rockies Tavern, forging a deep connection with the music-lovers of Bragg Creek. The community's appreciation for live music and the talents of local musicians has helped Lightfoot grow as an artist.
“I consider Bragg Creek to be my musical home because we played at Rockies Tavern for a couple of years every Thursday night,” Lightfoot said.
The recent nomination for the People's Choice Award at the YYC Music Awards is a testament to Lightfoot’s dedication. While she modestly acknowledges the talents of her fellow nominees, she believes this might be her year.
“I mean, the list of people in that People’s Choice Awards is very long and they are all very talented,” she said.
Like many artists, Lightfoot has faced challenges in the competitive music industry. However, despite inevitable hurdles, Lightfoot remains determined and resilient, drawing strength from the joy she brings to others through her music.
“These things shape us. At the end of the day I play music because I love it and it’s something I like to do,” she said. “If other people enjoy it, that makes me happy.
“There’s so much talent in Alberta, so it’s great seeing people getting recognized.”
To cast a vote for Lightfoot's 'Cry Baby,' people can go to yycmusicawards.com.
