Lakeland's Olivia Rose has been added to the list of acts that will take the stage in Bonnyville this summer when Extreme Mudfest returns for another action-packed three days in August.
Rose, a rising young country music artist, joins rock legends Trooper, CCMA Award winning country artist Chad Browlee, Cold Creek County and the Edmonton-based trio Six String Loaded as the musical entertainment for the event.
“I am so excited to be playing a show in Bonnyville,” said Rose, who grew up just 53 kilometres south in Elk Point and took guitar lessons from Panich Music in downtown Bonnyville.
“My music really did start in Bonnyville. I took lessons with Margo and Ron at Panich Music. They taught me the very first chords I ever learned on guitar.”
The young country artist moved away from the region a few years later to attend the Victoria School for the Arts in Edmonton and forward her music career.
While just 16-years-old, Rose started performing at a young age and wrote her song “15 Minutes” at age nine.
She has written a handful of other original songs including “Make Up to Mud,” her first song to hit local radio. A song like this is exactly why an event like Extreme Mudfest is perfect for her, as it fits in with her style and is close to her hometown.
“I will be playing some covers and some originals, especially my song “Make Up to Mud”, because it's Mudfest,” said Rose. She also plans on playing her latest single “Please Maybe,” which is going to be released to radio stations very soon.
Her style is described as country with an edge, which makes sense considering she credits stars like Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash as those who influenced her music.
Rose has quickly made a name for herself on the Canadian country music scene. She has been nominated for two 2015 Association of Country Music in Alberta (ACMA) awards, including female artist of the year and song of the year for “Make Up to Mud.”
“Everything has been moving pretty fast. I am really appreciative of my parents and everyone who helped me get to this point in my life,” said Rose.
“Most of my hometown friends and family don't really get to see me perform much. To be able to play in Bonnyville is just an amazing opportunity as my family and all of my old friends can come and see me.”
Along with the music, Extreme Mudfest 2016 will feature a full weekend jack-packed with mud slinging, heart-racing entertainment. Tuff truck, demolition derby's, lawnmower races and Canadian Mud Racing Organization (MCRO) sanctioned events will take over the Bonnyville rodeo grounds Aug. 26-28.
Rose will be taking the stage on Saturday Aug. 27.
