Local singer Randi Boulton is charging wholeheartedly into 2019 with a blazing, unrestrained enthusiasm for what lies ahead.
She got off to a terrific start this year landing the Singer/Songwriter of the Year Award at the annual Red Deer Entertainment Awards this past January.
She also continues to show an incredible commitment to the local community. Boulton is grateful for the solid support she continues to enjoy from Central Alberta fans, and these days, it’s looking like that faithful fan base could grow exponentially.
Later this month, Boulton will be jetting down to Nashville to meet with several industry insiders including acclaimed musician/producer David Huff who has expressed interest in working with her on a number of tunes.
Boulton is absolutely thrilled with these amazing opportunities, explaining that ‘Music City’ is a very ‘connected’ community.
“This is my year, baby! This is it,” she said during a recent chat. “I’m so excited because I’m going back to Nashville at the end of March,” she said, emphasizing how thrilled she is to be sitting down to work with Huff. And it’s not just Huff who has taken note of Boulton’s tremendous, powerhouse talent.
Her hard work over the years of heading to Nashville plus keeping up a steady slate of gigs here and always devoting herself to growing in her artistry have indeed paid off.
“It makes me so excited,” she said, reflectively. “I just love it so, so much.
“I’ve been in training for this moment my whole life,” she added. “I’m nervous as hell but I’m also, like, let’s do this – I want to be out there right now recording,” she added with a laugh.
These days, she’s working hard and prepping for the journey south.
“I’m really enjoying this challenge!”
Even being in Nashville provides a rich source of inspiration. “It’s the musical hub. This is where a lot of people got their start,” she added.
“You can walk down the street – here’s Garth Brooks’ studio and then walk down the street and there’s Johnny Reid’s studio. Everybody is connected. It’s kind of also got that small-town feel.”
There’s also a steady feeling of support among artists.
“In Nashville, everyone will go and shake each other’s hands. It’s laid back, it’s very southern. It’s got this nice, homey feel.”
Meanwhile, she’s also going to be sitting down for a few songwriting sessions with Buddy Owens — who has written songs with Gord Bamford and Blake Shelton. She’ll also be meeting with a man by the name of Ron Oates, a 47-year veteran of the Nashville music industry. She’s also going to be touching base with Nashville songwriter Byron Hill.
“The fact that Byron Hill has also made some phone calls on my behalf speaks volumes about the person that he is, because not a lot of people will do that.”
He even arranged a gig for Boulton in early April at a place called the Douglas Corner Cafe. The hot spot has been described as a well-known, ‘Home Away From Home for Nashville’s top songwriters and future music stars,’ according to its web site.
“It’s huge.”
From the start, Boulton has always written and sang with a striking sincerity. Her kindness, authenticity and accessibility as an artist and as a person always shine through brightly.
Her latest CD, Randi With an ‘I’, truly showcased her gifts not just as an artist but as a powerful communicator as well.
She started garnering serious attention at 12 years of age, when she landed first prize in a talent show with her mom. Boulton later won a songwriting contest at 14.
That led into being selected to play for Showcase ‘98 in Edmonton.
In the meantime, Boulton is also looking at hosting a fundraiser later this year to help raise some funds to help her with the costs of recording.
“I need some angel investors,” she said. “I’m calling on the community’s help; I’ll be really reaching out to everyone.”
For Boulton, music isn’t just part of her life – it really is ‘her life’. There aren’t many who have shown such a devotion to personal growth as a singer and songwriter, but who also truly cares about her audience.
“You don’t give up on it,” she said of following her path. “I don’t take it for granted. It’s also what makes me happy – it’s what I do. I do what I do because I see people light up,” she explained. “To see that joy in them, that’s what music is supposed to do. That’s why I love it.”