Vol. 2 Ep. 54 SB Mackhigh Stanton
SB's music journey began in 1993, with the help of friend Kevin Bradshaw. Six months later in July 1994, her Canadian debut, was opening act for Wayne Rostad (of "On The Road Again" TV show) & Juno Award winner, Bobby LaLonde.
Later that night, she was the headliner for the Canada Day celebrations in Cornwall, Ontario to a crowd of 10,000. During this time, SB set a goal to have her own TV show. SB's career skyrocketed from there and she went from being a complete unknown to TV host and star of her own country music show in a matter of 4 years....with support from local radio stations CFLG, (Cornwall), WVNV (Malone, New York) and CKBY (Ottawa) as she progressed. There were large newspaper articles written about her rapid ascent in the music industry by The Glengarry News and The Standard Freeholder, both claiming she was a rising star and one to watch....
As SB pursued her dreams of having her own music TV show (1994 to 1998/1999) ...*She opened many more times for Juno Award winning TV host Wayne Rostad...*Had the privilege to open for “Canada's First Lady of Country Music”, Juno Award winner Carroll Baker...*Recorded a demo at the studio of Roy Nichol - drummer for the band "APRIL WINE"...*Submitted that recording and was chosen as 1 of 9 top vocalists for the Y105 Talent Showcase in Ontario which was managed by (Country Music Hall of Famer) Ron Sparling and Laurie Ann Entertainment Agency...*Toured with the Y105 Talent Showcase to Ottawa, Navan, Avonmore and Carp Fairs with the Rollin Thunder Band (and Ted Gerow previously of the FIVE-MAN ELECTRICAL BAND ) and CCMA nominated singer Nancy Denault...*Qualified to perform at Wayne Rostad's Gatineau Clog in 1996 (one of Canada's largest country music festivals)....*Performed on the televised Country Music Hall of Fame and Induction Ceremonies where she met Master of Ceremonies, RONNIE PROPHET (former host of the Grand Old Canada / The Ronnie Prophet TV Show) who recognized and spoke with SB about her star quality.
SB's TV performance lead to these open doors:...*Bruce Golden, a Juno winning singer songwriter offered her the opportunity to perform in a duo act with him in 1996....*SB was approached by the Oshonto Boot Company and asked to wear their custom made Cowboy boots when she performed and act as a spokesmodel. She enjoyed her position there for two years....*In late 1997, SB was approached for commercial print modelling but she stayed on the path towards TV....*In early 1998 SB's dreams were manifest as, Cogeco TV Director, Ron Handfield, contacted her and asked her to become the host of a country music TV show called DOWNHOME COUNTRY.
SB lived in Montreal at that time and was busy pursuing her music career with her own band as a solo artist and other local bands Sundown, The Authentics and Tennessee Wind. SB was the host of DOWNHOME COUNTRY TV SHOW from 1998-2001. SB wore many hats on the show. She enjoyed working in front of the camera as Host and performer as well as behind the scenes as Co-Producer with her Producer Charles Palmer (Canadian Photographer) and Director Ron Handfield ....DOWNHOME COUNTRY was deemed a success ......and she was destined to achieve big things.......however, filming ended at the close of 2001 when SB had to leave her beloved show due to a family health crisis.
SB had to make huge changes in her career path. She began studying Energetic & Natural Medicine to become an “at home” caregiver for her son. In 2002, SB announced her retirement from live performing; and opted to continue her songwriting efforts until her son regained his health, however, he never did.... so SB had to get creative to move forward...she wrote many songs over the years and stayed very focused... her passion for her music never wavered... nor did her dedication to the care of her son. Always the optimist and not a person to ever give up, SB kept believing she could continue on her music path.
In the summer of 2015, SB briefly returned to live performing in Alberta, Canada at the 39th Annual Daines Country Music Pic-Nik, sharing the stage with Juno Award winner, Gary Fjellgaard and CCMA Award winner Shane Yellowbird.
In December 2015, SB was signed to Premier Talent Management in Vancouver, BC and her first acting gig was on the Warner Bros TV series "Lucifer".
In 2016 SB returned to Daines Country Music Pic-Nik, for its 40th celebration along with Juno Award winner Duane Steele & American headliners : Nashville's own, Lacey J Dalton, Rex Allen Jr. and David Frizzell.
In 2017, SB decided it was time to start recording and releasing the diverse collection of songs she had written from 1996 – 2017; all she needed was a great team of musicians and the right producer. From 2017 to 2019, she networked through the upper level music circles in Canada.
SB established a team of extremely talented veteran musicians from bands April Wine, Prism & Stonebolt to record her first original song. Working with veteran producer Ray Roper allowed SB to evolve as an Artist. Although she had started her career in traditional Country music, her true expression and writing style crosses the genres Celtic Rock, Pop Rock, Alt Country Rock with a little Soul vibe for added flavor.
The dream finally became a reality, in Nov 2019. SB released "Love Like There's No Tomorrow” Featuring Ray Roper (Stonebolt/ Ray Roper Project), Roy Nichol (April Wine), Richard Lanthier(April Wine), Marc Gladstone(Prism) & Peter Nichol (Kings Quest). The song had its debut on Irish radio Carlow FM in Jan 2021. It was played by 3 different DJ's on their weekly shows. It aired on a Valentines Day Radio Special Feb 14, 2021 on Carlow FM with DJ Mary Clare and plays regularly on Mary Clare's radio show The Love Zone. Since then, it has aired in Scotland, England, USA, Australia, Belgium & Canada. It has also been YouTube and Spotify playlisted in the USA by Maverick Roadhouse Radio station.
In July 2020, SB released "Husband John" featuring Ray Roper (Stonebolt/Ray Roper Project), Randy Gabel (Darby Mills Project), Gary Lalonde (Honeymoon Suite/Toronto) & Rick Fedyk (Paul Rodgers Band). On Dec 31 of 2020, it went into a 10 week play rotation on Scotland's Radiosix International station. In Jan 2021 it was picked up by Ireland's Carlow FM station (& its affiliate station in London, Irishradio.org with Gerry Byrne ). It has aired on Carlow FM's Big Country and Best of Alternative Music Shows. It has also aired in the US on Country Beats radio and was #19 on the top 20 charts. The song then made it into the Canadian Indie Country Countdown in Jan 2021 and after 2 weeks was #85 on the national charts, it is presently in the top 50 charts at #49 and was added to their Spotify playlist. Since then, it has aired in Australia, Belgium & in Canada on 2 of Axis Radio's stations (their Rock and Country shows). It has also been YouTube and Spotify playlisted in the USA by Maverick Roadhouse Radio station.
In Nov 2020, SB released “Sleighin It” a rocking Christmas song she co-wrote with industry veterans Ray Roper and Gary Lalonde. Featuring : Ray Roper (Stonebolt /Ray Roper Project), Gary Lalonde (Honeymoon Suite /Toronto), Steve Soucy (Le Mo Nay) and Scotty Gamble (Daniel Powter). It was released Nov 17, 2020 and was well received by the online radio audience in the USA, playing 2600 times in 7 weeks. The next release of the Christmas Rock EP will be in Nov 2021.
In March 2021, SB released her single “You're Not Done Here Yet”, showcasing more of her diverse Celtic Pop Rock (Alt Country) music style and unique vocal sound which she is becoming known for. The song had its pre-release radio debut on Carlow FM in Ireland Feb 1, 2021 to rave reviews. It hit #1 on the Carlow FM charts 3 weeks after it's release. Radiosix International in Scotland has it in a 10 week playlist rotation which began March 12. The song has aired in the USA, Australia, Belgium & in Canada on 3 of Axis Radio's stations (their Rock, Country & Pop shows). Recently, it was YouTube and Spotify playlisted in the USA by Maverick Roadhouse Radio station.
Presently SB is working on the next song of her upcoming EP called Spencer's Song - In Your Father's Eyes, it is expected to be released later in 2021. Carlow FM radio will give the song its debut once it is ready for release.
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