By Jasmine Franklin
This rising country star was only 16 years old when he hit the stage at Canadian Idol and finished runner up. Now, three years later, he’s dedicated and determined to get the world to hear his music with Ponoka having the opportunity to hear him Feb. 5.
“(Ponoka’s) a really good town,” country artist Jaydee Bixby told the Ponoka News. “You really feel a part of something when you’re there and I can’t wait to perform for them.”
Bixby will play at the Ponoka Legion Feb. 5 and he has one important message for his listeners.
“Music is simple,” Bixby said. “People listen to escape from every day life. I want my music to be simple, and easy to love.”
And that’s where his new album, “Easy to Love” comes in.
After recently switching record labels from Her Royal Majesty to Nashville’s On Ramp Records, Bixby said his upcoming second album with his new label will reflect his experiences as he continues to grow.
“I’m 19 now and have been living on my own for two years,” Bixby said. “After being exposed to the big, hard, real world, I had a great opportunity of realizing what kind of writer and artist I am. This album reflects that.”
The album will be released April 2010 and Ponoka will get the opportunity to hear old and new material at Bixby’s performance here.
“I spent a lot of time in Ponoka,” Bixby said. “After (Canadian) Idol I went to the Outreach School there since I couldn’t go back to the public school’s due to distraction.”
“I can’t wait to play in Ponoka,” he said. I’m excited to be back again and show a different side of me and my music to others.”
Born in Drumheller, the country star’s career took flight after appearing on Canadian Idol when he was only 16.
“It’s interesting now to say that my fans aren’t just Idol fans — they’re Bixby fans,” he said. “I realized after Idol that I don’t have to wait for someone to come and fill up the gas to get me moving; get a steady hand and just soar.”
He moved from Alberta to Vancouver, B.C. to work on his music career where he was signed to HRM records and launched his first debut album “Cowboys and Cadillacs” in July 2008.
But despite his international dreams and current accomplishments, a humble Bixby answered a simple question — what is one of his goals?
“I really want to play the Ponoka Stampede — my favourite part of singing is performing live music. I wouldn’t make a CD if I couldn’t do it live.”
Bixby’s performance in Ponoka will begin at 7 p.m. with doors opening at 6 p.m. Tickets are $30 for the all-family show and can be purchased at the Legion Hall, TanTec Electronics or by calling (403) 506-1135.
The release of the single “Boy Inside the Man” from Bixby’s new album was released Feb. 2 and more information on Bixby can be found at www.jaydeebixby.com.