By Yvette d'Entremont - The Weekly News
When 18-year-old Stacie-Lynn Hatt reflects on the bullies who plagued her early teen years, the pain is tempered by memories of the unconditional love and support she received from her mom, Jackie Hatt.
"She has always been there for me, and if I was crying, she was always there to give me a hug," Stacie-Lynn said. "It couldn't change what happened or make it go away, but it helped to know she supported me. She's an awesome mom and she's my best friend."
The Middle Sackville resident is a country singer/songwriter whose burgeoning career was encouraged by her mom, who has always believed in Stacie-Lynn's dreams. When she was 14, Stacie-Lynn wrote a song dedicated to her mother.
It took her about 25 minutes to write the lyrics and come up with the music for Beautiful.
When she performed it for her mom the next day, Jackie's reaction was instantaneous.
"She said we have to get this recorded. For my 15th birthday she got me to a recording studio and had it put to music by composers," Stacie-Lynn recalled. "She encouraged me to write another, and I did, then more followed."
Although she isn't a household name, Hatt's music has been in rotation in the U.S., Australia, China and Europe. Last September, Stacie-Lynn was chosen as a Top 25 finalist in the Nashville 2008 Music City Songwriting Competition. She recently recorded her latest song, Prince Charming and is completing a performance training program at Neptune Theatre.
Last week, the Millwood High grad was contacted by a promotional company in Los Angeles. Representatives with A&R Select are involved with promotional television and film work and Stacie-Lynn was thrilled they contacted her and want to help promote her music via promofm.
Stacie-Lynn's biggest dream is to perform at the Grand Ole Opry, a dream she said her mother shares.
"My mom's never negative, and is always there when it comes to my music, pushing forward," Stacie-Lynn laughed.
"Actually, right now she's making me CDs to send to Los Angeles. She's always doing stuff for me, thinking of me and supporting me."
This Mother's Day, Stacie-Lynn will pay for her mother to get a much-sought after naval piercing.
When asked how she'd sum up her mother's influence in her life, Stacie-Lynn said her song Beautiful says it all. She also has a message for other young people.
"I've noticed with my generation of kids that they don't respect their parents as much as they should," she said. "If they talked to their parents more and appreciated them more, you get much closer to them."
To listen to Stacie-Lynn's songs online, including the track 'Beautiful' that she wrote in honour of her mother, visit www.
promofm.com/Stacie_Lynn_Hatt.
ydentremont@hfxnews.ca
LYRICS TO STACIE-LYNN HATT'S SONG "BEAUTIFUL"
When I was a little girl, I remember my kisses good night.
It seems like only yesterday, she told me good dreams sleep tight.
But now that I'm getting older, not much is quite the same.
But I love you, no matter what life brings through glory and through fame.
(Chorus)
Mom you've taught me right from wrong,
And you've shown me where I belong.
You're the reason for this song.
And mom all I want to say,
Is you're beautiful in every way.
And when my life is rough, you are always there for me.
To show me who I am, to be strong with all the pride I see.
My life will be better than others, was the answers you gave to me.
And as I grow up, you are there to say, those answers will come true you'll see.
(Chorus)
Mom you've taught me right from wrong,
And you've shown me where I belong.
You're the reason for this song.
And mom all I want to say,
Is you're beautiful in every way.
And when your life is over, don't think I'll forget of you.
I love you with all my heart and know you feel the same way too.
You've helped me with all of my feelings, you are a best friend to me.
So this one goes out to you, mom you're everything I wanta be.
(Chorus)
Mom you've taught me right from wrong,
And you've shown me where I belong.
You're the reason for this song.
And mom all I want to say,
Is you're beautiful in every way.
And mom all I want to say,
Is you're beautiful in every way.
Hmmmmm,mmmmm - Stacie-Lynn Hatt
