Naomi Bristow brings her Yodelin’ Christmas tour to the Commercial Tavern on Sunday.
Still a teenager, Naomi Bristow has already spent years touring and recording. With several albums to her name, the young performer’s latest, Yodelin’ Christmas, has her on a yuletide tour that stops at Maryhill’s Commercial Tavern on Sunday afternoon.
She’s no stranger to the venue, having performed there previously with Larry Mercey, with whom she’s appeared many times. She’s also joined other country music stalwarts of the CKNX Barn Dance, including Johnny Burke, The Good Brothers and Gordie Tapp.
For this show, she’ll be joined by Steve Piticco and Dwayne Friesen. The set list will be heavy on songs from her new Christmas album.
“It’s mostly country Christmas,” she says on the line from her home in Beeton, Ont. “There’s some classics like O Holy Night, and country songs like The Christmas Shoes and A Christmas Letter.
“Oh, and I do a Christmas version of Hallelujah,” she adds of Leonard Cohen’s iconic song.
The show will feature Bristow’s distinctive yodelling style of singing, which sounds polished beyond her years. That perhaps comes from starting out so young – she released her first album (Cowboy Sweetheart) in 2008 at the tender age of 11. People took note, with her accolades and awards including twice being named the Western Music Association’s “Youth Yodeler of the Year.”
“When I was a little girl, my family was involved in the rodeo circuit – I grew up with a lot of country music.”
At the age of 8, she saw a yodeller on television. So smitten by the singing style, she sent away for an instructional book and tape, teaching herself to become proficient.
Still a teen, she’s already a veteran performer of many years, having learned to juggle family, school and being a teenager. Her singing has allowed for experiences well beyond her years.
“I’ve been able to travel all over North America – to almost every province in Canada, to Nashville, Montana, Minnesota …
“I’m very lucky. I’ve got to meet so many great people.”
She’s recorded with Vince Gill, Richard Sterban of the Oak Ridge Boys and Jim Ed Brown of the Grand Ole Opry, where she hopes one day to perform. Nashville is where she recorded her fourth album, Lookin’ Back. The just released Yodelin’ Christmas features a duet with Whisperin’ Bill Anderson as they perform his song Po Folks Christmas.
Bristow cites Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire as her influences. She continues, however, to develop her own style.
Throughout the process, her family has been very supportive, she says, noting her parents still come out to every show.
“They are still very protective,” she laughs, adding that some things don’t change despite all her success. “They put me in my place and keep me grounded.”
Though busy touring during the run-up to the big day, she’ll definitely be taking some time off to enjoy the holidays with family and friends. In the meantime, she’s enjoying the focus on Christmas music and the yuletide season.
“Christmas is my favourite time of year. I was definitely excited to put out this album,” says Bristow.
The Yodelin’ Christmas Tour makes it way to the Commercial Tavern in Maryhill Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. Tickets are available at the venue, 1303 Maryhill Rd., or by calling 519-648-3644.
