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Red Deer singer pens song for Canada Winter Games Closing Ceremony

Feb 20, 2019 | 2:42 PM

Local singer/songwriter Kayla Williams has scored an incredible opportunity to perform at the Closing Ceremony of the 2019 Canada Winter Games.

She was asked late last year to write and perform a song that captured the feeling of the games.

The song she wrote is titled “Something Right” and will debut during the ceremony at the Westerner Park Centrium on March 2.

Williams explained the interesting process she went through to craft the song

“They were looking for a good community spirit and group vibe kind of song, the excitement of the Canada Games and celebrating the athletes and all their accomplishments.

“I said ‘if you’re not finding what you’re looking for in my repertoire I will write something’ because I actively write and I love it. They kind of thought about it, came back and said yeah totally let’s try that.”

Williams says it took a lot of thought and that she wasn’t immediately sure what direction to take with the song.

“It’s different when you’re not writing from your own kind of experience. It came to me quite quickly when I actually sat down. I had an idea previously that I hadn’t used that I liked because it was upbeat and fun and all of that.

Williams says she sat down and penned lyrics which really drew from thinking of her own childhood growing up in Canada.

“The song has a lot of Canadian references and just especially with weather and the dark and winter. Just sort of being inspired by when you live here. When you have that as a Canadian, you have to sort of find your own interest, excitements and passions and have something to pursue in the dark cold of winter here. I think for a lot of kids especially, it’s become sports and specifically of course for winter sports that’s the perfect time.”

As Williams was writing “Something Right”, she had to keep it a secret until the start of February. It wasn’t easy for her not to tell anyone.

“It was tough, especially throughout Christmas, not being able to tell anybody at all that I had this really exciting opportunity coming up. Also being like ‘is this really actually going to happen? Is this real? Is this just a joke?’ because it’s such an awesome opportunity and I’m so grateful.”

Williams has never performed at the Westerner Park Centrium and doesn’t really know what this experience will do for her career, but she’s optimistic.

“I think to be performing in Red Deer as a local artist for so many people not just from Red Deer, but especially the athletes and all these guests that have come to watch the games like what an exciting opportunity. It’s just so mind blowing for me.”

This experience to her has played a big role in growing as an artist. Williams says she’s learned a lot from it.

“As a growing experience it’s just been a lot of information and new kind of interesting details when you’re working for a bigger company and for a bigger event. It’s certainly been a whirlwind for those kind of things. In terms of the writing though, I’m just glad I got to do that. I’m glad they didn’t’ just pick something and I got to express something new and it’s providing for a whole new opportunity with a new song.”

“Something Right” has also been recorded and will be released as a single when the 2019 Canada Winter Games officially wrap up on March 2.