NEWS
RISING STAR
An Okanagan woman is gaining growing recognition as a singer-song writer. Kelly Derrickson has released her first CD, and is getting attention from industry professionals. As Global Okanagan’s Native issues correspondent Tracey Kim Bonneau explains, Derrickson is an artist with a message
2015 TOP STORIES: The locals who put the Okanagan on the map
December 31, 2015 – 9:00 PM
OKANAGAN – Last year was big one for Okanagan film production with marquee names like Sir Anthony Hopkins and Julia Stiles filming in the area, but this year quite a few locals got their own names out to the world in 2015.
Freestyle motocross rider Bruce Cook came back from a terrible accident that left him paralyzed below the waist and this year became the first paraplegic rider to complete a backflip in front of a major audience this summer.
Bruce Cook is the first paraplegic to land a back flip on a motorcycle in front of an audience.
Image Credit: Facebook
It was also a stellar year for Kelowna’s Toshido MMA, with Matt Dwyer’s superman punch heard around the world, Sarah Moras’ return to the octagon and newcomer Shane “Shaolin” Campbell’s UFC debut in April.
Kelowna’s own Matt Dwyer scored his first UFC win in Brazil last weekend.
Image Credit: Facebook
A local social media expert made international headlines in 2015 when she used Facebook to find her long-lost father, who turned out to be an Elvis impersonator in Thailand.
Melonie Dodaro’s father, who went by the stage name Colin Young, is now an Elvis impersonator in Thailand.
Image Credit: Contributed
West Kelowna’s Kelly Derrickson also had a big year, winning best female country music album at the Coachella Valley Music Awards and Best New Artist at the Indigenous Music Awards in Winnipeg.
Singer-songwriter Kelly Margaret Derrickson, born in Kelowna, recently won a Coachella Valley Music Award in the female country category.
Image Credit: Contributed
Another West Kelowna resident, Jill Setah, made her fashion debut this year when she was invited to show her designs at Fashion Week in Los Angeles.
Westbank mother Jill Setah was invited to show her clothing line at a major Los Angeles fashion show this year.
Image Credit: Contributed
Pro superbike racer and champion Marcel Irnie continues to tear up the track in the U.S. despite losing two of his bikes to theft over the summer.
Kelowna superbike racer Marcel Irnie had two BMW S1000 RR race bikes stolen from a trailer in Kelowna.
Image Credit: Contributed
Kelowna local and DJ Will Ramadan released a new single with legendary UK artist Fatman Scoop to help Syrians in need.
Will Ramadan aka. KnowleDJ and Fatman Scoop in Las Vegas.
Image Credit: Contributed
Kelowna photographer Shawn Talbot finished his first season of 1-Stop Closer, a web based show following his travels around the world.
Shawn Talbot in Iceland during filming of the final episode of season one.
Image Credit: Contributed
And Kelowna born actor and model Taylor Kitsch, best known for his portrayal of Tim Riggins on Friday Night Lights, was cast on HBO’s series True Detective.
Kelowna born actor Taylor Kitsch has confirmed he will play a role on the second season of HBO’s True Detective.
Image Credit: wikimedia.org
Penticton residents making the big news beyond the city limits included hometown hockey hero Duncan Keith, who was instrumental in helping the Chicago Blackhawks beat the Tampa Bay Lightning to win the Stanley Cup in June.
Keith also made headlines for his work with the team’s social media campaign called “What’s Your Goal,” where Keith helped a little girl who can neither walk or talk score a goal.
Former Kelowna Rocket and Penticton native Duncan Keith makes a little girl’s dream come true. She wanted to score a goal with Keith, her favourite Chicago Blackhawks player.
Image Credit: YouTube photo
Enderby native Rick Dugdale brought a Hollywood film — and Sir Anthony Hopkins — to his home turf to make a movie. Currently living in Los Angeles, Dugdale produced Go With Me under his company, Enderby Entertainment and made his hometown extremely proud.
Rick Dugdale
Image Credit: Contributed
Vernon woman Raji Aujla introduced an eco-friendly fashion label and plans to use the profits to provide education and skills training to youth in third world countries.
Raji Aujla walks onstage at the close of her show at Eco-Fashion Week in Vancouver.
Image Credit: Jensen Lee
Born and raised in Vernon, comedian Sam Mullins now writes sketch comedy for the CBC and spends time telling his most humiliating tales across North America. He returned to Vernon for a special show this year.
Sam Mullins was born and raised in Vernon. He is now an award-winning comedian based in Toronto.
Image Credit: Contributed
To contact a reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at [email protected] or call 250-718-0428. To contact the editor, email [email protected] or call 250-718-2724.
News from © InfoTel News Ltd, 2015
InfoTel News Ltd
Tags: 2015 top stories
Coachella Valley Songstress Receives Prestigious Nomination
Coachella Valley Songstress Receives Prestigious Nomination
By Esther Sanchez
2015 CVMA winner in the category for, “Best Country Artist,” Kelly Derrickson has for the second time been recognized for her contributions to the music world with two nominations for the 2015 Indigenous Music Awards to be held Sept, 11th in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The winners are selected via online votes. Last year, Derrickson successfully rallied enough fan support to bring home an award honoring her debut album, Warriors of Love, and this year she is being recognized in the categories for, “Best New Artist” and “Best Music Video.’’
The Canadian born beauty was blessed with an impressive vocal range that basks in the embrace of a sweet, yet sultry tone. Clearly a natural, Derrickson admits she comes from a family brimming with musical talent and that talent has been fostered and perfected during the years she spent studying music performance and business at Berkeley School of Music in Boston. I must say….although her arts education is clearly impressive, it was a detail that Derrickson only briefly mentioned in passing. She did, however show me a fantastic video of her Uncle demonstrating his kick-ass banjo skills that had us both smiling from ear-to-ear.
I soon realized that whenever Kelly Derrickson spoke of her family and her people, she beamed with warm, glowing pride which was endearing. It was the same loving tone she emitted whenever she spoke of her manager and partner in life, Robert Cooper. Derrickson: “I love that man with every part of my being. I feel it is important for me to acknowledge the fact that I would not be where I am today if it was not for him.”
After spending a short time with Derrickson, the sense of warmth, pride, loyalty and honor that she emits along with her generally positive vibes and cheerful disposition becomes somewhat contagious. There is no doubt that much of it stems from her distinct family background. Derrickson grew up as the daughter of Canadian, First Nation Grand Chief Ron Derrickson. Grand Chief Derrickson is a celebrated tribal leader, author, and activist who has for decades, fought tirelessly and without hesitation for the civil rights of Aboriginal Peoples. He is also one of the most successful Indigenous businessmen in Canada. Basically, he is considered a hero to Indigenous Peoples. Derrickson: “I cannot express how proud I am of my father and the tremendous changes that he helped put into motion for our people.” Derrickson giggles: “He is supposed to be retired but I don’t see much evidence to support that. There is still so much work to be done. As long as there is still work to be done and he has the ability to do it he will. That’s my father.”
Clearly, the work-ethic, spirit of activism and charity that her family holds sacred has not been lost on Kelly Derrickson. She regularly spends time feeding the homeless and does not shy away from topics regarding social injustice and activism.
Derrickson: “I come from a family of givers. We just give because that is what you are supposed to do without question. Of course we believe that people should work but generosity is not supposed to have strings attached. I was taught that there is no greater joy that you can experience than the joy that comes from being a giver.’’
On that note, although it didn’t come out of her mouth, I would venture that the charming, talented and generous, Ms. Derrickson would be thrilled to receive any and all support from her fans through votes. It just takes a few minutes to log on to IndigenousMusicAwards.com, register your email address and vote for her in the categories for Best Music Video for her song, “Idle No More” and the category for Best New Artist. Come on, my desert peeps! Let’s rally around our local girl and show some vote-love.
KellyDerickson.com
Indigenousmusicawards.com
Local Musician Needs Your Help to win Aboriginal Music Award
Article originally appeared on InfoNews.ca.
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KELOWNA – A singer-songwriter from West Kelowna has been nominated in two categories for an international music award this week.
Kelly Margaret Derrickson, daughter of Grand Chief Ron Derrickson, found out Wednesday, June 24, the Indigenous Music Awards had nominated her for Best New Artist and Best Music Video.
The video, Idle No More, is off her debut album Warriors of Love, which helped her win a Coachella Valley Music Award for Best Country Artist last month.
“I’m so thrilled,” she says. “It’s going to be a real challenge, there are some super talented brothers and sisters I’m going against.”
The Indigenous Music Awards, formerly called the Aboriginal People’s Choice Awards, started roughly ten years ago to highlight musicians of aboriginal heritage. Winners are chosen based on the number of votes received online, and Derrickson says she’s hopeful the local community is willing to support her.
“This was my main aspiration,” she says. “I wrote Idle No More for my people so for my people to acknowledge me is a big honour.”
The video was filmed in August 2013 in the Mojave desert in California and co-produced by Tori Kyes of Plastick Media, her father Ron Derrickson and manager Robert Cooper. She describes it as an homage to her peoples’ struggle for independence.
“It’s really raw and authentic,” she says.
The awards show will take place on Friday, September 11 in Winnipeg, Man. To vote visit the Indigenous Music Awards website before July 24.
Warriors of Love can be purchased where music is sold or through her website.
Kelly Derrickson takes home Award for Best Female Country Music star
Originally seen on Infotel.ca.
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KELOWNA – A singer-songwriter born in Kelowna won the Coachella Valley Music Awards for best female country music album this month.
Kelly Margaret Derrickson, daughter of First Nation Grand Chief Ron Derrickson, took home the award May 17.
Nominations are made by 200 industry insiders, including radio and TV personalities, music writers and journalists, music photographers, club and venue owners, promoters, fans and musicians from across the Coachella Valley.
More than 250,000 people voted this year.
“I was totally surprised by the nomination. I’m kind of new to the valley,” Derrickson says. “I’ve had nothing but really good feedback and everyone’s been supportive.”
Derrickson won for her first album, Warriors of Love, which she co-wrote with Chip Martin. Some of the songs deal with the plight of First Nations members, but Derrickson says it’s more than a political album.
“A lot of my songs have a political content but some are just really fun.”
Derrickson was born in Kelowna but currently lives in Los Angeles. She graduated from Berklee College of Music with a degree in music business and professional music.
“I wanted to be a lawyer,” she says. “But I got accepted to Berklee and never looked back.”
A recurring theme to her music, she says, is the desecration of sacred grounds and the preservation of natural resources. She says she never really thought about how her political message affects her commercial viability.
“If you’re passionate about something, it doesn’t really matter,” she says. “It’s something I’m very passionate about.”
Derrickson is currently working on a new album, but says it is still too early to tell when it will be released. She plans to do a tour of both the U.S. and Canada starting in August.
Warriors of Love can be purchased where music is sold or through her website.
To contact the reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at [email protected] or call 250-718-0428. To contact the editor, email [email protected] or call 250-718-2724.
Kelowna’s Connection to Dancing with the Stars
KELOWNA – A local singer from West Kelowna may be your chance to meet and learn from some of the professional performers featured on the hit reality dance competition Dancing with the Stars.
Kelly Margaret Derrickson co-owns a company with Robert Cooper called Dance Fuzion that gives fans a chance to meet and be taught by the men and women of the popular TV show, which wrapped up it’s 20th season this week.
Derrickson’s business partners are the third-place winner from this past season, Sharna Burgess, and her husband Paul Kirkland. Burgess was paired with Noah Galloway, an American soldier who lost an arm and a leg to a roadside bomb in 2005.
“Sharna is a great gal,” Derrickson says. “She’s so down to earth and a total pro.”
Dance Fuzion is a three-day meet and greet event that gives people from all walks of life a chance to learn from, and mingle, with some of the best choreographers and celebrity dancers in the world. The event features many of the talents seen on the show such as Derek Hough, Paul Kirkland, Chelsea Hightower, Anna Trebunskaya, Sabrina Bryan, Julz Tocker, Anya Garnis, Tony Dovolani, Randi Lynn Strong, Johnathan Platero and Oksana Dmytrenko. And of course Burgess.
“I’ve met all of them,” Derrickson, who will also be performing at the Las Vegas event in August, says. “The great thing about Dance Fuzion is that everyone gets one on one time with these stars. You get to go bowling with them and at the end there is a gourmet dinner at Red Rock Casino. It’s going to be great.”
Whether you want to learn ballroom, broadway, commercial, hip hop, country or classical styles of dance, Dance Fuzion will feature classes specifically tailored to your ability.
“It’s for eveyone from beginners to people who have taken lessons,” she says. “There are junior classes all the way up to seniors. They love it too.”
The next event is in Las Vegas on Aug. 14 but Derrickson says after their US tour they will bring the party to Canada. She would love for the Canadian tour to include a stop in her hometown of Kelowna but says it’s too early to tell if that will happen.
“It depends on the amount of interest and if we can get the right venue or not,” she says. “If we can’t make it work in Kelowna then definitely Vancouver and Calgary.”
For more information or for tickets to any of their events, visit the Dance Fuzion website.
To contact the reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at [email protected] or call 250-718-0428. To contact the editor, email [email protected] or call 250-718-2724.
This article originally appeared on Infotel.ca
Coachella Valley Music Spotlight
Originally appeared in Coachella Valley Weekly magazine.
Online article here.
Digital Print Version here.
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By Noe Gutierrez
Kelly Derrickson is unequivocally a country music artist. She recently reached #20 on the European iTunes charts ahead of Blake Shelton and George Strait. Her first album Warriors of Love, released in the summer of 2013, has garnered a lot of attention around the world. “Warriors of Love was so organic and came from my heart and soul. It’s about the earth and protecting the animals,” said Derrickson. She was recently in the city of Winnipeg, Canada attending the Aboriginal People’s Choice Music Awards (APCMA) where she was nominated for Best Country Album. There were over 25,000 music fans in attendance. “It was a huge honor to be included. I was blown away by the talent and the people. They were so welcoming. I didn’t bring the award home but it was a cool experience for my first album and first time nominated. I got to connect with so many incredible artists and make life-long friends. You become brothers and sisters. I was asked to perform next year.” Derrickson now calls the Coachella Valley her home along with the “love of her life” and manager Robert Cooper as well as their family companion Lady Dogga.
In acclimating to the desert life Derrickson has not wasted any time in continuing her passion for music and supporting social causes. Derrickson is a social dynamo when it comes to her Native culture and addressing the dangers of texting while driving. Derrickson was raised in Canada and is a member of the First Nations. She attended the Victoria Conservatory of Music in British Columbia and the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, where she completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Professional Music and Music Business. Her father, Grand Chief Ron Derrickson, served six terms as Chief and helped initiate the “Idle No More” movement which brings attention to the unfair treatment of Native people and their land rights by governments worldwide. These different roles that Derrickson plays is a common theme with her. “For me one didn’t come without the other. “Idle No More” is the last song on the album. It’s about peaceful revolution and honoring our indigenous sovereignty. These causes are really important to me. There’s the country in me, then there’s a little bit of the rock, which is this duality in me and there’s part of me that’s rebellious in nature. Let’s kick the door down and start a revolution but in the most peaceful loving manner possible. I really want to make a difference with all these things. Native people are very non-violent people. We’re very peaceful people and we’re strong,” said Derrickson.
That strength has also led Derrickson and her friend Jimi ‘Fitz’ Fitzgerald to conceive Stash It B4U Crash It, a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization, which aims to go beyond awareness of texting while driving. According to Derrickson, “It takes action where needed and goes about making lives that have been devastated by this irresponsible behavior better. I never thought there was a way I could help to alleviate it. Then, it was suggested that through my music I might be able to help. I ended up writing and recording the song LOL (Laughing Out Loud), a painful song that addresses the loss of a loved one as a result of texting while driving. I wrote it from the mother’s perspective. I wrote it for Dena Allen, mother of Tyler Allen who was severely injured when he was a passenger in an automobile accident in which the driver of the vehicle was texting. That driver was Tyler’s friend Michael Stillman who was killed in the accident.”
This tragedy has galvanized Derrickson to do more about it. “The idea was always that I would donate a certain percentage of the proceeds that I received from the sales of the song to specific charities. But when it comes to texting while driving, most charities are about awareness and we all know that awareness campaigns are limited despite their good intentions, so I decided to form Stash It B4 U Crash It, an organization with a different agenda.” The primary intent of the organization is to create a professional network of volunteers with specific skill sets that are applicable in all phases of the post-accident recovery process. Areas that include, but are not limited to; legal, medical, financial, insurance, physical therapy, family counseling, transportation, caregivers, etc. Robert Cooper, Derrickson’s manager, is also championing the fight. “Families affected by this are faced with a barrage of problems. This will be similar to Angie’s List where anything related will be available. Anything that you can do to help, speech therapist, trainer, whatever, then people can log on and list their services. This will enable us to do something that carries forward to help those directly affected and help their families receive the help and care that they need.”
Derrickson, Cooper and Christopher Raphael, Derrickson’s agent and Director of Communications for Stash It B4 U Crash It, are planning to facilitate events that will raise funding to continue the mission to provide resources for affected families. They plan to work with local auto dealerships in devising yearly concerts with various artists performing. Derrickson also plans to provide CDs of her music to customers. In addition, Cooper is developing a reality show entitled “Ballroom Bootcamp” with Sharna Burgess, professional dancer from “Dancing With The Stars”, with all proceeds going to Stash It B4 U Crash It. These notable connections and events will without a doubt help sustain this organization.
In continuing to network, Derrickson has also connected with some of the best musicians the valley has to offer. Her band members include Bobby Furgo on fiddle and keyboards, “He’s our team captain.” Martin Barrera on guitar, “Martin is an acoustic guitar phenomenon! He’s fantastic and I love him. He’s all heart and soul. He’s my backbone when I play with him.” Keith Otterbeck on bass guitar and Patrick Mitchem on drums. Genevieve King provides background vocals, “She is fabulous and a great singer. She’s got the chops to back it up.” When his schedule permits Ronnie King will step in and perform keyboards. “Ronnie was essential in developing some of the songs before they went to Nashville. He’s a good friend and he and Lisa are like family.” Another popular valley pillar in Derrickson’s corner is Jimi ‘Fitz’ Fitzgerald. “Fitz and his wife Wendy have been huge supporters as well. He has used his platform and radio show to promote my music.”
Her music is rooted in country and standards. On the flip side, you can also hear the downright rock music influence. “I listened to bluegrass, John Coltrane, Ella Fitzgerald and started with opera training. I also listened to Metallica growing up and AC/DC was another favorite. My brother had me so brainwashed with heavy metal there was no way I could escape it.” The country and rock come together on Warriors of Love triumphantly.
Derrickson continued to share her joy when she was asked to perform two of her songs at the ‘Music Friends – Believing for Desi’ event held in August at Schmidy’s Tavern in Palm Desert. It’s this devotion to service that sets her apart, “I love to help with positive action.” She has expressed interest in involving herself more with her Native brothers and sisters in our local tribes as well. “I’ve had nothing but positive experiences in the pow wows here. I would like to do a lot more work in the community with them. We’re ready to reach out.”
Along with extending her support of Coachella Valley tribes, Derrickson has several projects in the works. She is currently working on another album and is awaiting the release of her video for the song “Warriors of Love” filmed in Hawaii and featuring the Maui Barefoot Ninjas. Cooper is currently developing a reality show based on these cliff diving and helicopter jumping thrill seekers. Derrickson showed me some raw footage that reveals them performing the traditional Hawaiian warrior dance which parallels the title of the song. As a warrior, Derrickson specializes in fighting the battle for love. Thank you for sharing your spirit with us. Welcome to the Coachella Valley.
I will leave you with a quote from Derrickson that, for me, encompasses her life’s philosophy, “When you sing from your heart and soul someone is going to listen to what you’re saying.”
Learn more about Kelly and her causes below. You can find her album Warriors of Love on iTunes.
m8g.b37.myftpupload.com
facebook / youtube / twitter / Instagram
http://stashitb4ucrashit.org
http://www.idlenomore.ca