Johnson competes on stampede stage

Times Reporter        

 

Strathmore singer and songwriter Kirstyn Johnson took to the stage recently as part of the Calgary Stampede Talent Search Competition. The competition started out with more than 60 participants, which were whittled down to 24 who competed in the semi-finals, and then was broken down to finals. 

Johnson, who was in the final three of the MuchMusic and Coca Cola Covers Competition last year, made it into the finals at the Calgary Stampede singing a song made famous by Janis Joplin.

“I sang ‘Me and Bobby McGee.’ I did a piano rendition with the band where I started by myself and then the band kicked in and I ended up actually getting off of the piano and going and singing in front of the band,” said Johnson. 

Johnson didn’t know when she sang it for her audition that she would have to stick to the same song. She said obviously it was a good choice, since she did make it to finals, but she had to change the arrangement a bit to make it seem a little new and fresh each round of the competition. 

A panel of judges decided who moved on after each round. There was a point system used, and auditors would tally up the scores to determine who was moving on. 

In talking with the other competitors Johnson found out there were many who had been in the competition numerous times, and had only made finals once or twice. 

“It was a big deal for me to make it to finals my first year,” said Johnson. 

The Calgary Stampede Talent Search is held every year at the Stampede Grounds and is open to any talented person aged 6 to 21. Johnson did not place in the final round, but is considering returning for another shot at the 2015 competition. 

Last year Johnson released her six-track EP, with songs available on iTunes and YouTube. To date she has sold over 400 copies. To follow along with how Johnson is doing musically go to her website (www.kirstynjohnson.com).