News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

By LeRae Haynes

If there were a soundtrack of community events in Williams Lake, it would definitely feature the music of performer/songwriter Oren Barter. The talented young musician’s voice and acoustic guitar have provided the flavour and backdrop for community events such as the Stampede Street Party, Performances in the Park, the Farmer’s Market, Spirit of BC Day, and the 139 Children’s Telethon. 

Audiences enjoy his creative mastery of cover tunes, as well as the exceptional range and appeal of his original pieces. Oren recently returned from Small World Studios in Kamloops, where he completed the first stage of a recording by laying down three original tunes, ‘October Snow’, “Mistakes Are Yours to Make’ and ‘You Need No Hero’.

Oren grew up in a family that enjoyed playing music together, and he started playing guitar and writing songs when he was about 15 years old. He said that his first public performance was when he sang ‘Adam’s Song’ by Blink 182 in front of his whole school. “I found out at the very last minute that I had to sing it without the CD,” he said. “I was used to singing it with all the accompaniment, and every time I paused for the guitar riffs, everybody thought I was finished and started applauding. They probably thought I’d never get to the end of the song.”

He said that as time went on he got more and more comfortable with his voice, and worked very hard to improve his vocal ability. “My first really positive experience singing was in Grade 10 or 11 when I performed at a variety show about bullying and segregation for drama class,” he explained. 

“I performed an original song called ‘Walking Down the Road of No Return’. It was just me, on a black stage in a spotlight, with my guitar. Even though the show was very serious and sad, and even though the song was very serious and sad, the audience really responded to it, and it was all I could do to keep a serious face when I heard all the cheering and applause.”

Audiences still respond enthusiastically to his music, and he is in demand for a wide range of events and performances. “I find it more comfortable to perform in front of bigger crowds. I always think, out of all those people, someone’s got to like me,” he said with a smile. 

Oren’s original songs have true originality and appeal, and his exceptional talent rings true in every note. “My song writing has changed drastically: it’s matured a lot, is more complex, more unique, has more meaning and is better musically,” he said. “When I write, I often start with a guitar riff and sing over it. Sometimes I start with an idea and sometimes with a poem.”

He said that he enjoys listening to artists like John Mayer, Jimmy Rankin, Matchbox 20 and Cheryl Crowe. “One of my goals is to get better as a lead singer and take my musical talent beyond the guitar to other instruments,” he continued.

Oren’s vocals have a range that goes beyond notes and dynamics, and his guitar playing varies from soft, poignant, mystic beauty to powerful rhythmic chording that is the perfect background to his edgier lyrics.

His tune, ‘Sail Away’ is an example of what people love best about acoustic guitar skilfully played: the sound is clean and true, with a hint of jazz in the central chording and strong vocal lines that have breath, heart and truth in every word.

You can get more information about Oren by going onto Facebook and joining ‘Oreo’s’ fans. “Talk to me, find out what’s going on with my recording, and when I’m performing,” he said. You can also phone him at 250-392-5856 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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