An Okotoks musician is not holding back in her musical inspirations – in fact she’s gone WILD. Country singer/songwriter Michela Sheedy was selected as one of Alberta Music and Calgary country radio station WILD 953’s 12 finalists for Project WILD, an artist development program designed to develop and launch the careers of up and coming artists in Alberta. Each artist receives $5,000 and participates in Project WILD’s music industry boot camp, a one-week intense workshop that furthers their skills in performance, song writing, marketing, business, financing and media and tour strategy. “I was so thrilled to hear I was in the top 12,” Sheedy said last week. “Regardless of the outcome, it’s going to be an experience that’s going to help me move forward in my career and gain the knowledge it takes to help me with my own business.” Sheedy said she began preparing for the competition months in advance. She had applied two years ago but didn’t make the finals. “I worked my butt off for the application this year,” she said. “I spent hours on making it as perfect as it can be. All the hard work paid off. I’m so thankful and super grateful.” The experience Sheedy looks forward to most is the boot camp in August. “Where I’m probably going to get the most out of this program is listening to industry professionals and having that kind of family dynamic with the rest of the top 12,” she said. “People who’ve been involved in this program have come out miles ahead of where their career was at before like knowing how to run your own business, marketing yourself, perfecting your craft. It’s exposure to industry professionals and a huge audience.” Sheedy has big expectations of herself as she manoeuvres through the program. “I’m definitely hoping to come home with the gold, but at the same time I’m grateful enough to be in this program and I know that it’s worth it just to be involved,” she said. “I’m going to come out of this with more knowledge than I had going in that’s so valuable for my own career.” Sheedy isn’t new to competitions. After singing at open mics, music festivals and farmers’ markets in Okotoks, it didn’t take long before she tried her chops at the Calgary Stampede Talent Search and Ranchman’s Country 105 Rising Star Competition, where she was named a finalist all three years she competed. Once all the hard work is done as the contestants go through their various tasks, after being debuted at Knoxville’s Tavern in Calgary on June 23, they will perform a series of showcase events and the public will be asked to vote for their favourite. The prizes are $100,953 for first place, $75,000 for second, and $50,000 for third. Last year’s contestant, Millarville singer/songwriter Tanya Ryan, said although she didn’t win the experience was invaluable and gave her a “leg up” in her music career. “It was an awesome opportunity for education and merging with industry peers,” she said. “It gave me a new experience and helped carve out this path that felt really authentic to my own career and what I’m really trying to accomplish as an artist. “I’m still in and amongst the creation of everything that came out of that.” What Ryan took away from the experience was learning to take her time and be more intentional with each move she makes as a musician. “I’m taking that lesson and really integrating it,” she said. “I’m in the process of creating content that represents my art in the most effective way.” Ryan said she’s glad to see Sheedy get the same opportunity. “I’m so excited for Michela and super proud of her,” she said. “It’s just an awesome experience and a huge blessing.” In the midst of her duties with Project WILD, Sheedy has a busy summer ahead of her with numerous shows including singing the national anthem at the Calgary Stampede Rodeo five days out of 10. “I’m going to be so busy throughout the summer it’s insane,” she said. “I’ve currently got 30 shows in the next two months.” In addition, Sheedy expects to release her first single this summer. “I hope to market it and book more shows and be able to really craft a long term plan for myself to grow within this industry and see how far it can take me,” she said.
