Emma Kade opened for Dean Brody for Homecoming tour July 23
By Chadd Cawson-Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
It will be a Canadian Summer to remember for Radium singer-songwriter Emma Kade, who opened for East Kootenay born and raised country music sensation Dean Brody, during his Homecoming concert July 23 in Fort Steele Heritage Town which is located on the unceded territories of the Secwépemc and Ktunaxa People and the land chosen as home by the Métis Peoples. Both Dean Brody and Fort Steele announced on social media a contest was being held to find an opening act for the show.
“They were asking for a video of you performing an original song and to tag them after you post it on Instagram and Facebook to secure entry. I submitted an acoustic version of my best-selling single, Nirvana, as my entry,” Kade said. “This is probably the biggest break I’ve ever gotten so far in my career, although I have opened up for some other pretty accomplished names, including: Canadian Country Hall of Famer, Gary Fjellgaard.”
Dean Brody personally went through the video submissions to find his opening act for his Fort Steele concert. “Dean Brody said it was a very easy decision for him,” Kade said. “I found out through a surprise Zoom call with him a few weeks ago. Keeping it a secret this long has been really hard. I was pretty surprised and honoured to be selected personally by Dean. He said a lot of really great things about me and thinks very highly of my art and my voice, so hearing that from him was amazing but also reassuring for me in a way. It’s hard striving for something for so long and feel like you’re not really getting anywhere. But for someone of his calibre to personally say such nice things, it makes the journey seem a little sweeter and more attainable.”
Born and raised in Creston, Kade moved to Radium a few years ago after craving a change of scenery. Kade was 13 when she first picked up the guitar and began writing her own music and performing. While country is not the genre Kade writes and performs, she is a fan. Her favourite Dean Brody song is Bounty and Time. One can find and listen to Kade’s songs through any online music store or streaming service.
“I’m not a country singer — my genre is definitely pop — but with some R&B and country influences,” Kade said. “I did release a full country album when I was 18 after my first record deal, though. I listen to all kinds of music. But some artists that shaped me in my career are Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift and Kacey Musgraves. I played a 30-minute acoustic set with some new songs, a cover of my favourite country song, and my three new singles I dropped last year. I would love to just get to the point where music is my sole career. Whether that be professionally writing songs for other artists or being the talent.”
Brody is a multi-Juno winner. Kade said she hopes to follow suit. “I think it’s incredible that Dean Brody is giving back to community by having a local artist showcased,” she said. “Somewhere along the line someone probably gave him a break in his career, too, so maybe this is his way of paying it forward and I’m hopeful that bigger things will come out of this for me. I was so nervous but also so excited and soaked up the entire night like a sponge. The show was such a great, it was a sold-out audience of 4,000 people! Dean and his team were awesome and so very kind, welcoming, humble! I really enjoyed the night and I’m so happy and honoured I got to be a part of this special event. “
You got her name wrong. It’s “Emma Kade”. Absolutely no good reason for that to have happened, and any good will in regards to promoting her and her music further will have been greatly adversely affected by failing to get her name correct so that she can be properly ‘found’ on social. I’m sure this was an unintentional oversight, but when journalism (especially of the musical variety) and an artists public name intersect, getting said artists name correct the first time is imperative and actually easy to do. Just ask the artist (two, three times if necessary), in this case – Emma Kade.
I appreciate the feedback, It was not brought to my attention that Emma used a stage name. It has been corrected now online and we will run a correction in next week’s paper too. Thank you so much.