Lowe's country star rising to new heights

Country music loves stories of strong women rising to fulfil their dreams. So it’s only natural that it would embrace Danielle Lowe, 15.

Growing up in Edmonton, Lowe is a pop-country sweetheart who has been singing in the area for about five years, including several performances in St. Albert. The list of charity events she’s fundraised for is extensive and covers performances at St. Albert’s Rainmaker Rodeo and Continental Cup. At the 2007 Futures Fest competition, her warm, acrobatic vocals earned first place in the Junior category.

In 2008, Lowe earned the distinction of being crowned the winning act at Northland’s Country Vocal Spotlight, followed by a performance at the prestigious North American Country Music Association International competition in Tennessee.

Her most thrilling experience was definitely singing Sarah Evans’ Suds in the Bucket during the annual rodeo at Rexall.

“It was so exhilarating to be in the middle of an arena and be seen by 16,000 people. I wish I could do it again,” she sighs.

Taking all that hard-earned experience, Lowe is finally set to release her debut album on Tuesday, May 24 at the Edmonton Events Centre. Providing backup are some of country’s finest musicians — Matty McKay, Ryan Davidson, Mark Branconnier, Craig Learmont, Travis Switzer and Denis Dufresne.

Titled Off Limits, the 10-track was recorded over a couple of weeks at Three Hills famous Music House. Fairly isolated from big-city distractions, the renovated garage was the ideal recording studio. “My mom and I actually stayed there and slept with a mattress on the floor.”

One of Lowe’s biggest supports during the recording process was Stacie Roper from Hey Romeo. “When she found out I was recording she volunteered to sing backup vocals. I couldn’t have been luckier.”

A fave song is the title track penned by Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Danielle Joy-Leverett and Brian Dean Maher. This catchy keep-your-hands-off-my-guy song is now playing at about 15 stations across Canada.

Part of Lowe’s musical growth has included crafting her own tunes such as Six Days or Dear Mom, an ode to her mother. “She’s put up money and gives up her time to make my dream come true. It’s about how much I love her.”

With both feet planted firmly on the ground, Lowe believes the sky is the limit. For more details visit www.daniellelowe.com.