The Langley Memorial Hospital Foundation is lucky to have snagged top talent for its Denim and Diamonds fundraising gala on Saturday, June 7. Karen Lee Batten and the singing sisters Robyn and Ryleigh will perform.
But these country gals have lots of irons in the fire right now.
After filming a music video in the northeast corner of Langley last week, Batten is prepping for her June 5 albumrelease party for Cause a Scene. It takes place at the Fan Club on Granville Street.
The video is for "Life Worth Living," which dropped on Tuesday and is the second single from Cause a Scene.
"It's such a feel good song and one that reminds me every day about what really matters in life," Batten said. "We all live crazy busy lives and it's kind of like the quote we have all heard for years 'don't forget to stop and smell the roses'. That's what this song is about, life flies by and it's the time we have with our family, friends, memories we share, places we get to see -whatever makes you really happy. That's what matters."
Not that she's following that advice right now, being crazy busy.
"I love it though, I love travelling, meeting new people, and most of all, performing," she said. "I leave on a cross Canada TV/radio tour next month, and have lots of shows this summer."
That's what matters to her. And the gala is one of her shows. "It will be such a great night for a great cause," she said.
She's also booked for the second Gone Country -The Twins Cancer Fundraiser in late July at Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre in Cloverdale. The concert event will also feature Chad Brownlee and Brett Kissell.
As Batten continues to work on her country music career, she's finding more acceptance. There's the fan support but also local businesses are wanting to sell her recordings.
"It really amazes me how great of a community this is, and I am proud to say I live here," she said.
Meanwhile, Langley's Gillespie sisters, just off a performance at the Cloverdale Rodeo on the May long weekend, will be putting out new music in June.
They wrote the material in Nashville recently, a trip they contend was a game changer.
"We co-wrote with some amazing writers and came home with a few new songs. We loved it! It was our first time there but definitely not our last," said Ryleigh.
Next, these Brookswood Secondary grads are showcasing their talents for their hometown fans at the Denim and Diamonds Gala. That's a fundraising event for the Langley Memorial Hospital Foundation.
"Very excited to be a part of this one," Ryleigh said.
The funds raised are used by the Langley Memorial Hospital Foundation to purchase equipment. The foundation's most recent campaign was an expansion of the outdated maternity ward.
The Gillespie sisters have done shows around the Pacific Northwest and Alberta since last year, with more on the way. On June 12, they are at the Hard Rock Casino Vancouver for a "Country Nights" event.