Local country singer Alecia Aichelle is gearing up for the release of her first full-length CD Golden – with a local event at Fratters on May 25th. Showtime is 7 p.m. with opening artist Dean Ray and Aichelle and her band set to follow.
Reservations are recommended by calling 403-356-0033.
Golden will be available on May 25th for digital purchase on iTunes, and copies at select retail outlets and for pre-order are available at www.aleciamusic.com/shop.
The majority of Golden was recorded/produced in Nashville with four bonus tracks produced in Alberta in 2013.
“It’s a pretty amazing feeling because it’s my debut, full-length album,” she explained of Golden. “It’s been a lot of work, time, money and energy and passion and just everything that goes into it. So it’s pretty surreal to actually hold it in my hands. It’s very exciting.
“I’m most excited about connecting with my fans, and my family and friends that will be there, too,” she said, adding that it will be wonderful to be able to showcase the disc in its entirety.
“There’s nothing like being onstage and hoping that your songs make people feel happiness, or think more about their lives or to promote something positive. I love performing live, so I’m really excited for that.”
Aichelle has been singing since she was just four-years-old.
But about a decade ago, just prior to entering Red Deer College to study music, doctors found a large tumour on her thyroid gland. It was about three weeks before starting at RDC that she underwent surgery. Although she had been originally told it wouldn’t affect her voice, that wasn’t initially the case.
After several weeks without improvement in her voice, she was sent for more follow-up where it was found that there had been complications resulting in permanent paralysis of her right vocal cord.
“I was told I would never sing again and most likely never talk normally again.”
She was devastated but the support and prayers of friends, family and her parents and her strong and foundational Christian faith brought her to a place of hope.
And eventually, to complete healing.
A few months went by and her speaking voice started to come back. After six months her voice was fully restored and it was deemed to be nothing short of a miracle. “It’s a powerful testament of hope and it’s a miracle,” she said. “Even when you are told something is impossible, don’t give up.”
Born and raised in Kelowna, Aichelle’s love for music and performance began early on as she grew up singing in her church and excelled in Royal Conservatory classical piano.
She was also introduced to country music at a young age by her parents, who have been devoted supporters of her musical dreams. Some of her first influences include Martina McBride, Faith Hill, Shania Twain, Dolly Parton, Paul Brandt, and CCR, to name a few.
As to Golden, the CD contains co-writes as well as songs written solely by Aichelle.
Golden is also described as a compilation of old and new and a musical narrative of her journey. Her voice – pretty, crystal clear and gently emotive – glides over the polished tunes with ease. The style is country, but her voice could easily cover other genres as well. But as she has said, this is the style she feels is the ideal means of expressing herself. Meanwhile, her friendliness and warmth as witnessed in person shines through as the project unfolds. She has certainly found her niche.
And beyond the launch next week, she’s already mapping out a busy summer with performance dates.
“Some of those shows are solo and some are with my band,” she said, adding she’s be releasing a second single to radio at some point in June. “It’s a real summery, real fun song called Country Life.”
Radio tours are also in the works for Saskatchewan and B.C. in the coming months as well.
“There is nothing I would rather do – it’s the best feeling.”
editor@reddeerexpress.com
