When Shelly Dubois had a musical itch, she scratched. Actually she did more than that. Dubois put her vocal talents to use as a country singer and is one of the many hopefuls trying to make a breakthrough.

Anxious to test her music in different venues, the Fort McMurray resident is showcasing her tunes at LB’s Pub at the noteworthy Songwriters’ Acoustic Showcase this coming Thursday.

Professionally, she started about 30 years ago, but for all intents and purposes Dubois was out of the loop until five years ago.

Her children grew up and she decided to pursue a dream of singing country full-time. By 2008, she’d scraped together enough money to record a debut album, I’m Not Looking Back, a 10-track of original songs.

Although the independent album never made its way to commercial radio, About Men, I’m Not Lookin’ Back and Time for Leavin’ were on Internet radio in Canada, the United States, Austria, France and the Netherlands.

Shortly after the release of her album, Dubois lost her 20-year-old daughter Chantal to brain cancer.

“She was a beautiful girl, smart, academic and athletic. She had such a strong personality,” she says.

Dubois stops, a catch in her voice. A lesser woman might have let her spirit ebb away, however Dubois fought the sadness and injustice by writing a healing song – I Know You’re Here.

“I start off singing that I was there for her and now that she’s passed on, her spirit is with me,” she says.

While some of the greatest authentic country songs have been born out of life’s tragedies, Dubois has found comfort in Dolly Parton.

“She went through a lot of struggles like Tammy Wynette and Loretta Lynn. She built an empire. When she went to Nashville to record a CD, they told her she was too old. So she created her own record label.”

Dubois’ topical, often relatable tunes are drawn from family life. She Knows a Better Life talks of divorce. Harmony looks at friendships and One Day is bit of country wisdom for teenagers.

At the Acoustic Showcase, Dubois will feature a set of old and new charts. One of her newer songs is Time, an upbeat song about the different aspects of time and Maybe, a fun tune about going out on a first date.

The Acoustic Showcase starts at 8:30 p.m. at 23 Akins Dr. No charge.

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