Grand Forks musician Amanda Thate needs your vote
By Erin Perkins
Local country singer Amanda Thate needs your vote by Friday, March 30 to be the opening act in the Merrit Mountain Music Festival this summer.
Thate, a Grand Forks graduate of 2011 who is now earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in social work at University of the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford, has a noteworthy music career that’s more mature than the 18 years she’s had on this earth.
Now she is facing the opportunity of a life time with the Merrit Mountain Music Fest Fan’s Choice contest. She and five other musicians are competing to have their band be the main stage opening act during this year’s festival, July 19 to 22. Voting started March 15 and runs until Friday, March 30 when the winner will be announced. To vote, see the link at the end of this article.
Country music is in her blood
Thate has had a life time of musical influences beginning from her childhood days when she and her sister helped her grandmother with hosting a music jamboree in Grand Forks, to her musical mother and her Grand Forks Secondary School band teacher Doug Wille.
“(Mr. Wille) had me perform everywhere I went and he really encouraged me to believe in me,” said Thate, who was a member of the concert and jazz band and played the guitar and saxophone in addition to singing.
“I don’t think I’d be where I am today without him and my great family support.”
As for musical influences, while she loves Taylor Swift, her inspirations lay in a much older generation of classic country musicians.
“Reba McEntire was my biggest hero for a long time and I’ve done some of her songs,” said Thate, who saw McEntire perform at the Merrit Mountain Music Fest in 2007 at the age of 13.
When I first saw a Reba concert I was just star struck. To perform on the stage that she did would be my biggest dream come true.
Part of her dream is already coming true. Thate is scheduled to be the opening act for Canadian country star Gord Bamford at his Merritt Mountain Music Festival performance on Thursday, July 19.
She is also set to open for him at the Key City Theatre in Cranbrook, May 23 and at the Charles Bailey Theatre in Trail, May 24.
This summer Thate will be opening for High Valley and Doc Walker at the Okanagan Pro Rodeo and Festival on July 5 in Kelowna.
“The power of country music really amazes me,” said Thate, who has had audience members come up to her after her performances to share their stories with smiles or tears.
I like performing because of the connection with the audience and country music tells a story. Country music also incorporates a lot of gospel and I enjoy sharing my faith through story and song. When you’re up there I can see the crowd cheering and tearing up and there is no greater feeling.
As of today, Thursday, March 22, Thate is leading the votes but she still needs more!
To vote for Thate go to Facebook and look up Merritt Mountain Music Fest Fan’s Choice contest or visit Amanda Thate’s website and click on the contest icon at www.amandathate.com . Contest ends March 30, so vote now!
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