Amberley Beatty never intended to sing professionally. She liked to go out on karaoke night, certainly. Same for performing in local plays. But one thing led to another, with serendipity playing a big role in the Elmira woman becoming a tribute artist and, recently, getting a chance to record in Nashville.
She used to sing karaoke in Elmira, later travelling to Waterloo when there was no longer a karaoke night in town. There she met some tribute artists who would take part, too. One night about eight years ago, one of them suggested she should open for him at an upcoming show.
“He told me ‘you should get an outfit and do Patsy Cline.’”
She did just that. All nerves, she was instantly hooked. Today, her repertoire has expanded to include tributes to Loretta Lynn, Gretchen Wilson and Connie Francis.
It’s a fulfilling accomplishment for the 32-year-old mother of two young girls; after her day job as a hairstylist, she gets to walk out on stage and entertain an audience doing what she loves: singing.
“I sing everything – I like all kinds of music. I sing around the house, I sing all the time,” she said, noting that’s always been the case. “My mother told me I used to sing along with all the jingles on TV.”
Growing up in St. Jacobs, she sang in the choir, often being picked for solos. At St. Jacobs PS, she took part in the school’s first play. Later, as a student at EDSS, she took part in drama classes under Gord Davis. After leaving school, she would often join shows directed by Davis following his retirement, including a stint with Kitchener-Waterloo Musical Productions.
“I kinda followed him around,” she laughed.
A fan of all kinds of music, Beatty early on developed a taste for traditional country music, which led to her performing songs by the legendary Patsy Cline when she was out for karaoke night.
“I enjoy the traditional stuff. I like the new country, but this is where it came from,” she said of the classic material.
Making the tribute as authentic as possible is her first priority. Along with the wigs, costumes, accents and twangs – Kentucky for Loretta and Virginia for Patsy, for instance – that means showcasing the music as it’s meant to be enjoyed.
Her faithful treatment of traditional country music led her to be introduced to recording artist Allen Karl, with whom she recorded an album of duets – If I Could Spend Today Loving You – last year. The week she spent in Nashville working on the CD opened up a world of possibilities.
“The live stuff is fun, but recording is really addictive,” said Beatty, who’s now interested in doing some recordings of her own.
Serendipity was also at play when Beatty met country music legend Gordie Tapp, who saw her perform as Loretta Lynn. Impressed, he asked her to join him in one of his future multi-act shows. Last weekend she did just that for the first time, performing at the Burlington Country & Blues Bar B Que.
“I’m blown away that I get to do that.”
As new doors open, she’s ready to step through them, thankful for the opportunities to sing and perform. Like the first time she sang karaoke, she still gets nervous, but it’s a good feeling, said Beatty.
“Being nervous reminds me I’m getting the chance to entertain people. I value every second I get out there.”
