COUNTRY’S RISING STAR DOESN’T MINCE WORDS
Plain-spoken Patrick is honest about her passions on and off stage
You do not want to mess with Meghan Patrick.
The country singer-songwriter is as friendly and open as they come, but she does not brook any disrespect. A recent example is from just a few days back, when she stopped the show to boot out an obnoxious heckler during her headlining set at Hagersville Rocks in her home province of Ontario.
Patrick, who loves the outdoors at least as much as she loves the stage, has also fought back against those who take issue with her love of hunting. No wonder she feels so connected to her latest single, the aptly named Wild As Me.
Living in Nashville, Patrick has made a sharp impression in a short time on Canadian radio, throwing up such hit singles as Country Music Made Me
Do It, Still Loving You, and the chart-topping Walls Come Down. She recently pulled down five wins at the CMA Ontario Awards, and is once again up for Best Female Artist at the Canadian Country Music Awards.
We spoke with Patrick in advance of her Saturday afternoon show on the main stage at Big Valley Jamboree
Q It seems like Wild As Me is very close to your heart.
A I’ve never really released any love songs as singles before, so it was a bit weird, and I was nervous about putting it out. I really didn’t know how people would react. It was a very real feeling, though, and the song came quite naturally; I’m still very much in love with the person I wrote it about.
Q So you were really putting it on the line with those lyrics?
A My lyrics and music are very personal to me. They’re real and true, and if I’m to share so much of myself in my songs I feel like I have to be that way in every other aspect.
Q Is that why you fire back at those who take issue with your hunting, rather than trying to appease everyone?
A It’s an important part of what I am. Part of my brand, if we want to use that kind of language, is to be as open with my fans as possible. And look, we’re talking about country music; the outdoors, hunting and fishing, is very ingrained in that scene and most fans enjoy the same lifestyle. It wouldn’t make sense for me to not talk about this, because it’s such a big part of my life.
Q But you’ve been bullied online because of this?
A You know, I’d guess that maybe nine out of 10 of them also eat meat, which is pure hypocrisy. If you’re vegetarian or vegan then I get why you disagree, but if you eat meat you have no right to judge me.
Q You’re an ethical hunter, which means you use the meat and you’re not interested in the trophy aspect?
A I have no interest in trophies. That’s disrespectful to the animals. This is about me being able to put meat on my table, and knowing 100 per cent that what I’m eating is organic, hormone-free, and healthy. I know where that meat comes from, and compared to what someone might get at the grocery store, I also know that the animal’s life was taken much more humanely. It’s something that I’m very serious about; if I’m going to be a meat eater, I should know what it’s like to take a life.
Q I feel like I’ve roped you into a discussion beyond your music; are there plans beyond the summer for new releases? A There are. We’ve got some more new music coming out in the next month or so, but I can’t really get into specifics. I can say that I’m really excited to play Big Valley Jamboree; I actually just got sent a letterman-style jacket in the mail by them. I’ve never played a festival before where they send you a cool piece of clothing before you play there!