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Nicole Rayy releases new CD Only Everything by Scott Stewart Oakville Beaver Staff Artscene 17 | Wednesday, September 25, 2013 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com "Connected to your Community" From an early age, it was clear that Nicole Rayy was born to perform. Whether making up songs and dancing when a youngster or performing in musicals in school, the 21-year-old Oakville native has an affinity for the stage. It was her love of singing that prompted the Holy Trinity Secondary School grad to forego her post-secondary education studying English at Ryerson University to chase her dreams of recording an album and becoming a country music star. "Music just took over," she said. "It was distracting me from my school work, and I made the decision that if I'm going to do this, I'm going to dedicate all my time to it and put school on the back burner for now." Rayy said her parents were caught off guard by her decision to leave school. "They were a little shocked at first, it was difficult for them," she said. "They've been so supportive of me and are happy that I'm following my dream and now they're OK with it. I don't think I could do this without them." Rayy recorded and released her debut CD, Only Everything, at Cherry Beach Sound Studios in Toronto under the watchful eye of producer Lance Anderson. Anderson, best known for his work with the band Leahy and his arrangement of the theme song for Pope John Paul II's visit to Canada in 2002, worked the board for Rayy during the production of Only Everything. "Working with Lance was amazing," Rayy said. "He's fantastic. He could see my vision before I knew where the album was going and steered me in the right direction. He's such a talented organ player as well, so it was great to have him play on the album." The album is a reflection of Rayy's pop and country roots. "I've always really enjoyed both styles of music, but I really love the storytelling aspect of country," she said. "My songs fit into that genre really well. I've always been a storyteller with my music and my lyrics always come from different things that are going on in my life." Rayy said it was important to have diversity on the album to provide a mix of music that all listeners could enjoy. "Ballads are kind of my specialty," she said. "I love writing very heartfelt songs and Oakville's Nicole Rayy recently released her debut CD, Only Everything and performed in Edmonton earlier this month as part of the Canadian Country Music Awards' Diamonds in the Rough showcase. | submitted photo Oakville Artists fall show and sale Oakville Artists is having a fall show and sale during Culture Days Weekend at Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre (QEPCCC). The show will feature 23 local artists -- whose talents range from watercolour, oils, acrylics, encaustic, pencil, wood working, sculptures, photography, jewelry, fibre art and glass work -- coming together for one evening. Free artists' demos will be going on throughout the event. The show is Friday (Sept. 27) from 7-9 p.m. in Room C094-C095 at the 2302 Bridge Rd. centre. It will feature works from Andriana Rinaldi, Andrea Seibt, Angel Card, Asuman and Atanur Dogan, Berna Kilic, Cheryl Laakes, Cyn- nocence Kaufman-Sinclair, Ixchel Suarez, Kamil Swiatek, Karen Mayer, Karin Lynn Cumming, Kristina Kirkwood, Kyle Tonkens, Laurel Best, Madison Leeson, Monica Bell, Paul Lanante, Paula Sahker, Stella Tang and Teresa Thompson. Oakville Artists is an informal group that shares ideas and techniques during monthly meetings and online posts. I think those ones came easily to the album. I didn't want the album to be entirely sad or about heartbreak, so I knew I wanted to incorporate some fun and upbeat songs to it." Rayy's favourite song on the album is Still See Blue Skies, which she said turned out perfectly. With the CD now available, Rayy's tour schedule is filling up quickly. "I recorded the CD over the winter, so I missed the opportunity to submit to festivals and fairs because I didn't have any music to send them," she said. Rayy is performing in Burlington at Mount Nemo Music Festival on Oct. 5, and recently performed for friends and family as part of a large street party near her parent's home in Iroquois Ridge. Earlier this month, Rayy travelled to Edmonton, Alta. to perform in the Diamonds in the Rough showcase as part of the Canadian Country Music Awards. Rayy is planning for her next album and will begin writing for it later this fall. There are also plans to visit the mecca of country music, Nashville, Tennessee. The singer knows despite her current success, she still has a long way to go. "Once you get your foot in the door, you realize how many talented people are in this industry and how many people have the same dream as you," she said. "At the same time, I've worked really hard and I'm happy with the success I've had so far." Only Everything is available on iTunes and through Rayy's website, www.nicolerayy.com. Shhhh... Oakville's Best Kept Secret. 18kt. white gold pendant, 13 round brilliant cut diamonds 2.37ct., SI1-SI2, fancy brown colour, 13 round brilliant cut diamonds 0.28ct., SI, G-H, 165 round brilliant cut diamonds, 0.83ct., SI, G-H-I, (Gemscan Replacement Value $8,600) You can have this one only, for $4,300* The Highest Quality, The Lowest Price. Guaranteed. 309 Lakeshore Road East, Oakville 905.339.7604 · www.omnijewelcrafters.com *Subject to prior sale and may be terminated at any time.