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

By LeRae Haynes

Local musician Oren Barter performed on Canada Day for Kamloops Idol and took first place. This success came just before the artist’s debut CD ‘Writen All Over Me’ was released with 10 tracks of Oren’s signature original songs.

On Canada Day Oren won Kamloops Idol in front of an audience of 1,500 people, performing an original song called ‘I Can’t Watch You Go.’ There were auditions held the Sunday before, and Oren said that on Canada Day they held the preliminaries (top30 performers), the semi-finals (top 9) and then the top 4. 

“In the final four there were two men and two women, and the other singers scared the pants off me,” Oren explained. “There was one woman who sang a ‘Jackson Five’ song and hit notes I can only dream of—she had control and skill and a powerful voice—a true vocal performer."

The judges said that their unanimous choice for the final winner was based on honesty, vocal talent and artistry, and stated that performing an original song usually works against you in a competition like this---but not in Oren’s case. One judge said that they appreciated Oren’s stage presence, and that he felt the song in his blood. 

Another first for Oren was dancing on stage during Kamloops Idol. “I had to do something during the guitar solo on ‘Waiting for the World to Change’ by John Mayer, which I sang for the semi-finals,” he said. “I’d never even danced in public before----I just let it go.”

As the Kamloops Idol winner, Oren also performed on CFJC TV mid-day news, and he will perform at next’s year’s Kamloops Idol as the 2010 winner.

Oren’s debut CD was recorded with producer Henry Small at Small World Studio in Kamloops. “Paul at the Guitar Seller told me about him. I checked out his website and liked what I saw; after I met him I learned that he has great respect from the industry. He was lead singer for two of Prism’s albums, and has extensive experience in the studio and with working with musicians,” Oren continued.   

He said that what gave him his real start in the very beginning was playing at the Farmer’s Market in Williams Lake. “When I started performing there I played like I was playing at home. It wasn’t the greatest performance, but they kept asking me back---it gave me the opportunity to really grow as a performer,” he explained. “I also really enjoyed playing at New World Coffee.”  

Oren is performing this Thursday in the Park at 6:30pm. Singer/songwriter Paul Filek is performing, and will be sharing stage time with Oren. A professional, original, folk/pop musician, Paul was in the Canadian Idol Top 40, won the People’s Choice Award for BC Interior Music Awards, has been touring Canada full time for the past two years. He has opened for Carly Rae Jepson, Jully Black and Styx, and after performing in Williams Lake, will open for Colin James and Trooper in Alberta.

Oren’s CD, ‘Writen All Over Me’, is available at New World Coffee and Tea, and includes original songs like ‘Rhythm Rhythm’, ‘I’ll Sing You Away’, ‘New York City’ and ‘I Can’t Watch You Go.’

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