After taking a break from music, Cole Harbour’s Lana Grant is now back with an even stronger desire to connect with others and create positive change through her music.
And she has chosen to launch her latest CD, Non-Fiction, very close to home.
Grant will host a concert and CD launch at the Cole Harbour Woodside United Church at 15 Bissett Road on June 3 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., her special musical guest artist that evening will be Dave Carroll, of United Breaks Guitars fame.
“This is a concert in a church but it is not a church concert,” said Grant. “But this is my home, it is where I live and I wanted to feel confortable in my community and bring joy to those who hear me.”
Grant said she didn’t want to promote her new CD in a bar where no one is listening. Instead she said the little Cole Harbour church is perfect for introducing the world to her latest contemporary pop offering.
From every ticket sold to the concert that night, $5 will go back to the church building fund. And for every CD sold, $2 will go to the Red Cross.
“That is the way I do things,” said Grant.
Grant has been doing things musically since 1995. Since then, the married mother of one son has released four CD’s, Lana Grant, self titled, Tired of Talkin’, Hovering Above and now the new Non-Fiction.
Tired of Talkin saw the national release of two singles, Pieces and Tired of Talkin. Pieces turned out to be a chart topper that brought Lana a lot of publicity and radio airtime.
Grant's musical accomplishments also include ECMA showcases, a nomination for female artist of the year, many live performances that included opening for Blue Rodeo and a showcase at Canadian Music week in Toronto.
But it is her latest CD that has her finding her true voice and opening her heart.
“Non-Fiction is a collection of songs based on real situations, drawn from my own journey as well as inspiring stories from fans and friends,” said Grant.
One fan wrote to Lana about her battle with breast cancer, from that powerful journey Lana wrote the song, Time. Dash was written as a tribute to an HRP special constable who died in a car crash.
Grant said she often finds answers when she is writing music.
“It is how I heal,” said Grant. “And I help others heal by writing the songs.”
On her website, Grant has a new contest that she hopes will give a voice to others who need to share and connect with others.
The contest is called, “ So, what’s Your Story?” There are bi-weekly draws of prizes for those who wish to enter and perhaps tell their life stories.
“Simply answer the multiple choice questions for a chance to win a bi-weekly prize or dig deep and let me peek into your soul by writing to me about something you’ve experienced in life that has greatly affected you,” said Grant. “You don’t have to be a great writer to tell me your story, just be honest and write from the heart.”
The grand prize winner will have a song written about their story and released on the website. Also included in the prize package is a Kobo e-reader.
Grant says it wasn’t until she went through her own troubles that she learned to listen and grow.
Tickets to the Lana Grant concert and CD launch on June 3 are available at Jamieson’s restaurant and Vibe Energy at 971 Cole Harbour Road or go to www.lanagrant.com
