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Millarville singer nominated for YYC Music Awards

The spotlight is getting brighter for a Millarville singer/songwriter who, shortly after tying the knot, learned she’s been nominated for two music awards.
SA Tanya Ryan Stampede
Tanya Ryan was nominated for the Calgary YYC Music Awards for Female Artist of the Year and Country Recording of the Year. Winners will be announced at The Palace Theatre in Calgary Sept. 23.

The spotlight is getting brighter for a Millarville singer/songwriter who, shortly after tying the knot, learned she’s been nominated for two music awards. Tanya Ryan was nominated for the Calgary YYC Music Awards for Female Artist of the Year and Country Recording of the Year. The awards, which celebrate up and coming musical talent in 20 award categories, will be presented at The Palace Theatre in Calgary Sept. 23. “I was really surprised just because I didn’t think anyone would know who I am or what I’m doing,” said Ryan last week. “The YYC Music Awards is a relatively new organization. It’s really cool to be involved with that.” Ryan’s is a household name in the Foothills, with regular performances both locally and on more prestigious stages like at the Calgary Stampede. She’s previously been nominated for the Alberta Country Music Association Awards numerous times and through the Canadian Country Music Association for Discovery Artist in 2014. “When I think about nominations and awards I try to consider them as positive reinforcement that I’m doing something right without investing my worth into them,” she said. “I don’t want to let the receipt, or not, of an award define me and how I make my music.” Ryan said she submitted her latest single In Another Life, released last year, in the Calgary YYC Music Awards’ Country Single of the Year category. This year is the first she’s applied for the awards. “I wrote the song with Maddison Krebs,” she said. “Maddison brought in the concept for it and we massaged it so it felt authentic to both of us.” Ryan describes the track as a forlorn love and break-up song. She and Krebs had written a handful of songs together but this is the first time one of them has been released, said Ryan. In her submission for Female Artist of the Year, Ryan said she had to prove that she’s been an active musician in the Calgary area. For Ryan, being nominated for awards in the music industry is all about recognition and respect. “It’s always awesome to feel like your peers acknowledge your work or what you’ve put a lot of life and energy into,” she said. “The acknowledgement is really appreciated.” The announcement of Ryan’s nominations came at a busy time of her life. After several performances at the Calgary Stampede in July, Ryan spent the next months preparing for her wedding to Okotokian Brinley Tourond, which took place Sept. 1 in Millarville. Days later, Ryan flew to Hamilton for the Canadian Country Music Association week where she performed last Friday and Saturday. Their honeymoon to Europe isn’t until this fall due to Ryan’s busy schedule, but Tourond is supportive of her career, said Ryan. “He is the most supportive amazing person in the whole wide world,” she said. “I’m a lucky lady.” Ryan performs next at The Westwood in Black Diamond to a sold out show on Sept. 15 and on Sept. 22 for a fundraiser with fellow artist Mariya Stokes in Vulcan. During the few spare moments she has, Ryan is preparing for her yoga and music fundraiser, which will take place Nov. 8 at the Crescent Point Field House, and another EP album. She expects a single to be released in March and the EP to follow shortly thereafter.

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