Melissa Payne ready to kick off new Omemee concert series
Ennismore musician will perform at Coronation Hall on July 28
OMEMEE - Doug Kennedy would love to see Coronation Hall become the "music hub of the Kawarthas" and it all begins with a dynamic concert on July 28.
Kennedy, who has been working with the Omemee Downtown Revitalization Group, twigged on the idea of turning the centuryold community hall into a “bucket list” item for elite musicians.
The concert series kicks off with Ennismore native Melissa Payne.
Becoming a musician was never a second thought for Payne. Growing up, her grandfather was good friends with Frank Leahy and the two families were very close.
Payne received her first fiddle when she was four and, a few years later, was taking lessons from Dough Leahy.
Despite her burgeoning talent, Payne was musically shy, opting to only play for family and friends.
That changed when, at the age of 17, an aunt gave her a guitar and she found a new way to express herself. It wasn’t long before Payne was writing her own songs.
Despite a strong passion for music, Payne was also realistic and completed Fleming College’s Early Childhood Education program.
Oddly enough, it brought her back to music, this time touring with the Leahys as their nanny. The opportunity earned her insight into the music industry and provided an excellent role model.
Her passion refuelled, Payne headed to the recording studio where she completed her debut CD, Take My Heart, with engineer/producer James McKenty and 7th Fire label’s Tom Street. It also saw her connect with Blue Rodeo’s Greg Keelor.
Her live performances have since garnered her critical acclaim and notable guest collaborators like Natalie MacMaster, cellist Nathaniel Smith and Jimmy Bowskill of the Sheepdogs, have her working with some of the biggest names in Canada and beyond.
Kennedy looks forward to seeing Payne on the Coronation Hall stage; the same space Canadian music legend Neil Young played Dec. 2. Pop-up buskerstyle concerts have been held each weekend at various downtown sites as a way of sharing information and get people excit- ed.
“We’re trying to create this beautiful buzz about music in Omemee,” said Kennedy. “We’re already getting calls from other groups looking to play at the Hall, which is great.”
Tickets for the concert cost $20 and are available from Coronation Hall and Darling Insurance in Omemee, during regular business hours, or by emailing doug@greenservices.ca, rayemarshall53@gmail.com or jkellett@darlinginsurance.net. There is no guarantee tickets will be available at the door.
The concert runs from 8 to 11 p.m. and doors open at 7 p.m.
For more information visit www.facebook.com/ events/183136969010744/