Hey!
Just thought I’d fill you in on the process of everything that’s been going on for the last couple ‘o’ months or so…
My newest record “where we were” is almost finished being recorded! It is being put out through Signpost music (Who have been AMAZING to work with) and is produced by Jordan Jackiew and co- produced by Brian James. We have INCREDIBLE players on this album - Ron Halldorson, Michael Longoria (Patty Griffin), Steve Bell, Brian James, Daniel Roy, Gilles Fournier, Matt Epp, Don Benedictson, Dave Pankratz (Quinzy), Scott Senior (the Duhks), Brent Warren, Dan Frechette, and we have some special appearances in vocals by Steve Bell, The Waking Eyes (Joey Penner, Matt Peters and Steve Senkiw) Rescue Motorboat (Matt Epp & Alex Sannie) Chris Lacey etc….
It was such an honor to work with all of the above who were ALL so gracious, talented and professional to work with.
Genre wise - it’s quite a bit more alt-country/roots than the last record, a LOT more me as Brian and Jordan did a fantastic job of keeping the sound of ‘where we were’ true to who I was.
There are 14 Tracks on the album, 2 are covers - one is “By The Mark” by amazing bluegrass/roots artist Gillian Welch, and the other is a song called “If I give my soul” by Billy Joe Shaver which was redone by Johnny Cash.
I would say some songs lean towards the canadiana genre, and I have a few more pop/roots based songs as well. The production was different for every song based on the song itself…..I REALLY hope you enjoy this album. We had a lot of fun making it, and I can’t wait for you to hear it!
I’ll put up some tracks as soon as they are ready for you to hear!!

Well, I thought I’d actually write a new blog…before they boot me right off their website for my lack of updates….
There are SO many things going on in my life right now…some of them just amazing, some of them a challenge.
For those of you who don’t know, I went out to Vancouver back in February to try recording with a producer by the name of Roy Salmond, he’s a VERY talented producer/instrumentalist, but in the long run, it was decided that the fit wasn’t exactly right, so the new cd is being recorded here in Winnipeg. We are mid-process right now. Finalizing arrangements and ideas for each song. They’ve been growing and changing in our minds for months now and we’re really excited now that we’re into June, as June is our recording month. I’ve decided to hire producers Jordan Jackiew and Brian James. They produced the last album, and we’ve all been through a lot together in the last year, and I couldn’t be happier working with them. The album will be finished by august, so that I’ll be ready for fall tour.
I got some amazing news fairly recently. I’ve been invited to join Steve Bell and his band this fall and early spring on tour as his opening act! I can’t wait! What a great opportunity! So - hopefully I’ll see some of you then! I believe some of the dates are posted under Steve’s upcoming dates page. I don’t know how many details are posted yet, but I can’t wait!
I’m in the process of recovering(??) from about 8 weeks of laryngitis. That has been a really hard thing for me. It put me in a pretty vulnerable state. As someone who walks around their house singing non-stop, and it’s such a BIG part of who I am, I’ve been pretty shut-down. Frusterated at this seemingly endless silence. I played at the Back 40 Music festival yesterday with Brian James, Gilles Fournier & Daniel Roy. They are SO fantastic! I loved it. When I woke up, I had no voice. For some reason it totally worked at the festival. It made me happy. Now here I am, sunday morning, NO voice. it’s really really weird. I have a specialist appointment coming up in 2 weeks, and I’ll be excited to find out what’s going on. It’s hard b/c recording is right now, and I have quite a few shows or rehearsals….reasons to be using my voice lots lately….so - if you get the chance…a little prayer for my sad vocal chords would be AMAZING. thank you so much.
I am working a fair bit with a guy by the name of Brent Warren. We have been doing some co-writing and rehearsing for a few hours every week. He has a lot to offer, is quite an incredible guitar player and has a great voice. I appreciate his constant hard work and dedication. I’m excited to play a show with him, as it’s mostly been working on the songs to get him totally familiar with all the songs, and I’m beginning to think he’s now more familiar with them than I am. hah.
My family is good. They are sweet enough to let me type this as they make me breakfast in bed. They’re really sweet.
I am surrounded in good people. I love where I live. It smelled like rain yesterday, and I stood inside for SO long just breathing it in as strong as I could.
Anyhow - that’s a bit of the update. I’ll write more soon - I promise!!!

Hi all.
I haven’t written in this for a while…
Well - in 5 days I fly out to Vancouver to start working on album 2. I’m really excited about it!
Brian James & I will be working with acclaimed producer Roy Salmond out at his great studio called Whitewater Productions.
We’ll start with 3 songs, then come home, then go back….come home…go back…you get the idea!
Anyhow - It’s only been a year since the release of our last record (almost to the day) and I already feel so excited to get these new songs out there…
This new record is going to be a bigger reflection of who I am, the searching within myself I’ve had to do this past year, and I hope that the new album is really relateable and honest.
I really hope you like it.
I can’t say when the release date is going to be - b/c to be honest - I have NO IDEA!!
I’m thinking about releasing it early September (The official CD release party anyhow)
Well, I’m sitting here, typing this and drinking Chai tea…my new favorite tea…I think…
I’ll fill you in on studio life while I’m there…I’ll take recording photos..I’m so bad at taking photos sometimes. Even though I’ve had a professional photographic business for 5 years, I’m still bad.
Anyhow - what a great year last year was - I’m going to point form the highlights…

- January 15th/07 - embarked on 1st ever music tour with friends Laura Kolisnyk, Jeremy Remple (his music is great!) and Jane Martens and had a GREAT time.
- Feb 2/07 - Had cd release party in Winnipeg at the West End on the coldest night of the year - had a great great evening!
- April 07 - Went on a greater Toronto area tour with friend/music partner Brian James and met and played at some great places
- Summer 07 - Was nominated for a Western Canadian Music award (Outstanding Christian recording) and 2 Covenant awards (Roots/Folk album of the year & Cd Artwork)
- Embarked on Western Canadian tour 2 with Brian James and had Great shows and Great feedback! Can’t wait to get out there again!
- Am now with Signpost Music (Steve Bell) and the guys/gals at signpost have been SO supportive and have brought me to a place I couldn’t have NEVER gotten to the rate I was going. I love them SO much. This artist in development thing they have going on here is SUCH a great program. It gives little unknowns like me a chance to build a career doing what I love and I am SO honored that I get that opportunity. Love you guys!!

So - 2007 was such a great year. I saw most of this beautiful country, got in 2 car accidents on the road, blew a tire on the highway, realized that most car rental agencies really really suck no matter what type of insurance you have, survived 5 provinces numerous times, met amazing people, memorized every word to “gettin jiggy with it” saw some GREAT old friends, met my new nephew and had a lot of fun on the way.

Thanks to my support guys…(Brent - husband and Kai - son) for all that you’ve given up for me to chase my dream…I love you and couldn’t do it without you) thanks to great great friends Brian James - for travelling with me and putting up with me and learning raps and dance routines with me….and for all the laughter on the road….

Matt Epp - you’re the best. You are SUCH a great friend, SO supportive and you really believe that ANYTHING is possible! It’s inspiring. check out Matt’s music - he’s going to be famous. he’s incredible!

Laura, Jane & Jer - what a great first tour. Thanks for giving up so much and coming away in a crappy van for 2 weeks. Love you guys.
anyhow - I know it’s not supposed to be a speech - just started thinking about 2007.

Bring it on 2008 - I’m ready for you!!
kw

Hey!
Mid-February, Brian James and I will be flying over to Vancouver to record with award winning producer, Roy Salmond. We’re really excited and the same as the last album - Brian will be co-producing. We can’t wait to get out there and have been writing like mad-feins.
If you’re interested in some more info on Roy - you can read about him here: http://www.roysalmond.com/pgs/personnel.html

Hey!  There are two new video’s up on my video’s page for anyone interested!

They are:

1.  Tonight I am the wind - performed at the Nov 7th fundraiser with Brian James, Kerri Woelke and special guest, Steve Bell.

2.  The Mom Song - co-written by Matt Epp & Kerri Woelke, performed by Kerri Woelke, Brian James & special guest Matt Epp.

Check them out and leave us a comment on them if you want!
Thanks!

kw

Hey all!  I have an upcoming show next friday, November 23rd at the Folk Exchange!  Please come out as it will be our last show of the year in Winnipeg!  Doors open at 7:00pm & show starts at 8:00pm.

The address is 211 Bannatyne off of main in winnipeg, in the exchange district.  (Same building as the school of contemporary dancers, and the conservatory of music? or something like that?

anyhow - Brian and I will be playing the stuff we played on tour, and we’ll have a special guest or two, so I would suggest coming out if you can!

Tickets are $10 in advance, and $12 at the door - you can purchase tickets in advance at the Folk Festival music store….

Please come out!  We’ll hopefully see you then!!

 kw