CRAVEN — Sharing the inspiration behind the songs connects fans with artists at the songwriter’s café at Country Thunder Saskatchewan in Craven, Sask.
“As a fan, there’s been certain songs and lyrics that have drawn me into artists,” said country artist Katelyn Lehner.
Lehner, 28, says she’s focused on writing her own songs and seeing where her country music career takes her.
“Writing about true stories, from something that’s either happened in my life personally or something I’ve seen my friends go through, that’s what I love about country music, it has such a truthful, storytelling background,” said Lehner.
She shared the stage with Donny Parenteau, Jess Moskaluke, Jay Semko of the Northern Pikes, and Alberta artist Duane Steele at the SaskMusic Songwriter’s Showcase on Saturday afternoon at Country Thunder.
She played 10 Bucks and Cross the Line, two songs she says are about her own romantic relationship experiences.
“It’s about the fun moment of turning that friendship into something more,” Lehner said, referring to Cross the Line.
10 Bucks is her latest single out on country radio and the title track of Lehner’s debut EP that came out last fall. Cross the Line is the second single released.
SaskMusic partnered with Country Thunder to coordinate the experience. Thirteen artists are performing in the café. Eleven are from Saskatchewan and two are from Alberta.
“It’s a great way for them [artists] to get involved with the event and get exposed to the huge fan base that attends Country Thunder every year,” said SaskMusic Executive Director Lorena Kelly.
Country Thunder organizers say the site holds over 20,000 patrons.
Fans might hear unreleased songs or songs that sound different when performed with only guitar accompaniment, says singer, songwriter, and fiddle player Donny Parenteau.
“Acoustic is so raw. They might hear you in a different way and love what you do even more,” said Parenteau.
Parenteau says artists connect and learn from one another at the showcase.
He says he’s performed every weekend since May. He next plays at the Nipawin Fair July 17.
Lehner will perform at Country Thunder Alberta with her full band Aug. 18 – 20, 2023.
Parenteau and Lehner both grew up Prince Albert, Sask.
