Blaine Lake singer and songwriter Barbara Woytiuk, stage name Barbara Dee, has made the Country Gospel Connections Top 100 chart with the song Saved by the Cross written by Camrose gospel music songwriter Martin Kushnerick.
The song, like many others of Kushnerick's, was performed by Barbara Dee.
"I write them, she sings them," was a comment made by Kushnerick in a press release.
Woytiuk has just returned from performing at the Country Gospel Music Jamboree in Medicine Hat, Alta., where she performed and shared the stage with The Fehr family, The Daae family, Christian Cowboys, Eileen Wotschel and friends and Robert Larrabee, to name a few.
Woytiuk has sung for many years and always shared a genuine love for the traditional sounds of the church leading her to appreciate the contemporary form of gospel music. She has used her personal challenges and triumphs to develop a deeper connection with God. Her spiritual, mental and emotional growth is evident as she uses music to connect with the audience, singing 'with' them and 'for' them not 'at' them. She reaches her audience through conviction, expression and creativity.
Woytiuk uses her voice as a powerful outreach tool to touch the lives of others. She talks to the audience as an equal, drawing them into herself as she uses her powerful vocal abilities to share the word of the Lord.
"When I see individuals in the audience lift their hands to the Lord as I sing, I truly know I have touched the lives of others," she says, as she wipes away a tear. "I have moved into a deeper faith and I am so fortunate to have God work through me."
She firmly believes that everyone is given a talent, some people find it early in life and are able to live it out, others have a shorter time span, but regardless, the path is still there to follow. She encourages everyone to seek their gift and nourish it so they can reach their full potential in life.
Woytiuk has received much of her tutelage and artistic craft from friends and performers in the gospel music industry. She has been fortunate to sing with some of her dearest music industry friends and gospel notables such as Jimmie Snow with whom she will be touring with at the beginning of October. The tour will visit the Alberta communities of Vermillion, Wetaskiwin, Stony Plain, Medicine Hat, Camrose and Lloydminster. Kushnerick has made a personal observation that Woytiuk has a fan base started in Medicine Hat.
Her most recent CD release, Saved by the Cross, contains a series of inspirational gospel songs written both by herself and Kushnerick. She is currently working on her fourth CD.
When not touring or recording, Woytiuk resides in Blaine Lake with her husband Henry. Living in a rural community close to the lakes and nature provides her endless inspiration to express herself through song writing and voice.
