It’s a daydream many people have when they belt out our favourite tunes at home or in the car: captivating an audience at a major music festival. One Grande Prairie singer, however, has turned that dream into a reality.
Singing for as long as she can remember, Jordan Leaf hit the big time recently on the main stage of Big Valley Jamboree.
“It was incredible. That feeling you get being up there in front of so many people, it’s indescribable,” she said.
Starting back in the spring in Leduc at the rodeo, Leaf made it to the semi-finals of the ACMA Horizon Stage competition which booked her ticket to the main event at BVJ. Playing for a chance to kick off the main stage on Sunday night, Leaf took on 32 other hopefuls and took home the top prize, opening the main stage for country music stars Brett Kissel, and Brooks and Dunn.
“I blacked out on the stage. I remember leaving for the stage, I remember walking out and once I started singing, honestly I don’t remember,” she added.
Leaf, hoping to follow in the footsteps of other Grande Prairie country artists like Tenille Townes, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, and group Emerson Drive, Leaf added if you give it your all, anything can happen.
“All these people have come from places that are so close to Grande Prairie which [is] super inspiring to see that it’s not just a dream, it can be a reality if you put the work into it.”
For her victory, Leaf will receive a recording package worth around $3,000 to record a track with a professional crew. She will also get the opportunity to play at the ACMA stage at the Canadian Country Music Awards.