Marlee Scott, 24, now a permanent Nashville resident, flew in for a special performance at Big Valley Jamboree’s Molson Saloon. But a summer storm of magnificent proportions struck Friday, July 30 and her gig was cancelled.
“What can you do,” the former Paul Kane High grad says with a hint of regret in her voice. “After last year’s accident, they’re so scared and they didn’t want to take any chances.”
Scott is referring to a massive storm that collapsed the country festival’s main stage leaving one person dead. An additional 15 people were injured and in need of hospitalization.
But despite this one setback, everything else in Scott’s life is proceeding like a movie script. She was just nominated in the Canadian Country Music Awards (CCMA) Rising Star category with ceremonies to be held in Edmonton from Sept. 8 to 12. And just a few days ago she was invited to perform live on national television at the Sunday night ceremonies.
“I’m so thrilled and thankful. It’s been a dream of mine since I started singing. To be nominated when the CCMAs are taking place in my home town is pretty cool,” says the pop-country songstress.
Scott just popped her third as-yet untitled CD in the can with plans for four single releases within the next six months. Her debut album Souvenir (2005) swung with a light party girl vibe while the more mature self-titled sophomore album (2008) demonstrated a grittier feel.
“This one is different. It has a little more attitude. It’s vocally challenging and more interesting to listen to. It’s more groove-driven and the songs are deeper.”
Although Scott moved to Nashville in 2004 to write, she just met producer David Kalmusky a year ago when he moved south from Stratford, Ont. Together they scouted publishing houses for edgy songs.
“He pushes me harder than any producer I’ve worked with in the past. I used to do a song in four takes. He asks me to do eight to 12 takes. I’ve never been more vocally challenged.”
Although difficult to compare with any artist, Scott believes Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert and Martina McBride fans would enjoy her new songs.
Scott, a perennial animal lover, also had a difficult time watching birds and marine life struggling in the Gulf oil spill. Taking a break from the recording studios, she visited the Gulf Shores of Alabama to see firsthand how the Deepwater Horizon oil spill had affected the coast and its ecosystems.
“I wanted to make people aware of the things that were happening,” Scott says. One of the first things we noticed was the smell. It smelled like a car shop.”
She observed the cleanup, its repercussions and spoke with a fisherman whose livelihood has been destroyed by the oil sludge. Throughout her visit she videotaped the events and loaded them on her website for viewing. “It’s such an intense issue. Everyone has their own opinion.”
For updates visit www.marleescott.com.
