Leanne Lightfoot - Bios

Leanne Lightfoot, the eldest of four children, grew up in a home brimming with music and musical instruments. "No one played well, but everyone played well enough," shares Lightfoot. "And everyone, I mean everyone, loved to sing!" Their living room was the site of endless, spirited jam sessions, featuring friends, family, and visiting musicians.

Leanne Lightfoot's early focus in life was on establishing herself as a successful competitive dressage rider and trainer, but her guitar was never far away. The undeniable influences that horses have had on her life are woven subtly into her music and noted with appreciation by those who share her love for the animals.

Leanne Lightfoot credits several influences for shaping her musical taste. In her early years, she listened to Willy Nelson, Ian Tyson, and Emmylou Harris. Later, she discovered Billy Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, and Maria Callas. She even played a cassette tape of Callas until she wore it out. But nothing changed her like the live recording of the singer-songwriter Iris Dement. “I had never heard anything like it,” she said. “It was startling, and it made me start writing my own songs.”

Leanne Lightfoot's musical career began to blossom in the early to mid-2000s when she and her daughter Kaitlynn began performing their original music in coffee shops and open mics. Eventually, this led to the formation of "The Elbow River Band" which included the daughter, son-in-law Brandon, son Charlie and friend Tim Jeffery. The name of the group was inspired by the Lightfoot family farm and the Elbow River. "Redtail Flyer" was released in 2014 and charted at #1 on college radio station CJSW's folk chart for several weeks. After this initial success, life had its way and many members of the Elbow River Band moved on to careers outside of music.

Lightfoot continued on with her musical pursuits and formed the group Oleana, and would often perform as a duo with Tim Jeffery as “Lightfoot & Jeffery”. Now, 10 years after that first album, Lightfoot is back in the recording studio! Harnessing the many influences of her early years, and tempering them with the life lessons that come with the profoundly joyous and sorrowful experiences of a life lived in the pursuit of personal truths, art, passion, and being human.

Leanne Lightfoot's upcoming album is one to look out for! With her unique, emotive vocal style and timeless songwriting, she’s sure to strike a chord with every listener.

Leanne Lightfoot, grew up in a house filled with music, on a little farm outside of Salmon Arm, British Columbia. This was the start on her path to becoming a successful competitive Dressage rider and trainer, and would ultimately play an integral part in her music. The undeniable influences that horses have had on her life, are woven subtly into her music and noted with appreciation by those who share her love for the animals.

Lightfoot's credits many influences in her music, Willy Nelson, Ian Tyson and Emmylou Harris, to name a few amongst many. But, It wasn't until she first heard a live recording of singer/songwriter Iris Dement that something really changed for her. "I had never heard anything like it. It was startling, I started writing."

Ten years after releasing the ‘Redtail Flyer’ album, Leanne Is back in the studio, working on her second album. Bringing her smoke laced vocals, and timeless writing to the forefront, her new tracks harness the many influences of her early years, and temper them with the life lessons that come with the profoundly joyous and sorrowful experiences of a life lived in the pursuit of personal truths, art, passion, and being human.