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Nancy Laberge is emerging as an up and coming folk singer/songwriter on Canada’s horizon. Whether crooning a heartfelt ballad or taking her audience on the wild side of a Barbie doll, people will remember seeing Nancy Laberge play a show. Music is no stranger to Laberge. “The first song I remember hearing was “Last Kiss” by J. Frank Wilson & the Cavaliers. Yes, that was before Eddie Vedder did it,” laughs a buoyant Laberge. At 13, writing poetry and learning how to play guitar evolved into a passion that would evolve into a calling. At 16, songwriting became a solace that allowed Laberge to escape into a world where mothers didn’t drink, good always won and there was a way out of a small town life…at the helm of a six string. Laberge left her small town world and got a diploma in music at Red Deer College of Arts. Laberge also played with Mississippi Steamboat, a country/roots group for five years, then an original trio called No Strings Attached. As she listened to influences like Lyle Lovett, Annie Lennox/Eurythmics, Catie Curtis, Nancy Grifiith and Rivers Rutherford, Laberge began to hone her craft of songwriting, taking workshops and soaking up experiences co-writing. In between gigs, Laberge trained as a chef and even owned her own catering company. She feels there is symmetry between the two. “There is something about performing that is like making a meal,” she says. “Hours of preparation, a mix of quality ingredients, creativity... It’s a lot of work to put it together, but I love the reaction of whoever I am cooking or playing for. And in either scenario, I feel like everyone leaves with a belly-full.” As a songwriter, Laberge has also began to make strides on both sides of the border. In 2006, Nancy moved to Nashville for six months and signed a publishing deal. But Canada called her home. North of the border, she continued her passion for songwriting and had several songs recorded by emerging Canadian recording artists. Her work is starting to be recognized. In 2006, Laberge received an honorable mention in the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI)/CMT songwriting competition for "You Didn't Leave Me". Some of Nancy’s co-writers include Joni Delaurier (Pickup Truck - Shane Yellowbird, Second Hand Car - The Higgins), Troy Kokol (Pickup Truck - Shane Yellowbird) and Canadian recording artist Katie Love Hess. These days, Laberge continues to write and record, performing her music as a solo folk artist for the first time. When she is not writing or performing, Nancy facilitates a songwriter development group and has taught songwriting basics. “It’s time for me to take a turn in this journey, and to bring my ‘meal’ to the table in a different way,” she says. “I’m looking forward to taking to the road and serving up some good music – one audience at a time
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