FEATURED MUSICIAN
HEATHER GEMMELL
No stranger to the Fernie stage , Heather Gemmell is a regular performer for local audiences , including Canada Day , and most recently with Wild Honey at the Wednesday Night Socials .
A true BC artist , Gemmell moved from Victoria to the Kootenays in 1996 and found a musical community that has sustained and inspired her to hone and develop her craft , a passion since High School . Her parents were fans of rock music and she grew up listening to many of the greats . Always comfortable as a soloist , collaboration has also featured heavily in her music career . Her first album - a 2011 solo collection - was engineered and produced by Matt McKenzie of Kitchen Table Media . Along with Brian Noer , Ray Gareau and Paul Bouchard , she formed her first band , Heather Gemmell and The Peaks , producing her second album , Peaks and Valleys with Noer .
After meeting Michael Hepher of RedGirl and Doggone Brothers , she developed an interest in bluegrass and learned the Banjo and Dobro , adding dimension to her already strong bluesrock sound . The Rosie Brown Band came next , and later Idlewild . Her latest album ,
One Light Town - a solo effort mixed and mastered by Anthony Hiebert – was inspired by her hometown of Kimberley and features ‘ Northstar Burning ;’ an angst-ridden folk song about the tragic fires at the start of the 2021-22 Kimberley ski season . The song was a hit in the 2022 CBC Searchlight competition , finishing in the top 3 . It may also have secured Gemmell ’ s next adventure , as she has just received a call to audition for Canada ’ s Got Talent , which begins filming in October .
With a sound that is all boots and gravel and powerhouse voice that soars through melodies and anchors each verse with exceptional range and clarity , Heather Gemmell is one to watch for .
Heathergemmellmusic . com
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