Leanne Lightfoot - Bios

Leanne Lightfoot, eldest of four, grew up in a house filled with music and musical instruments. "No one played well, but everyone played well enough," says Lightfoot, "and everyone, I mean everyone, loved to sing!." Living room jam sessions were a constant at the house, with friends, family and visiting musicians.

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.

Willy Nelson, Ian Tyson and Emmylou Harris were the formative soundtracks of her early years. Later, Billy Holiday, Sarah Vaughan and Maria Callas (she played that cassette tape until she wore it out!), continued to push, pull and shape her musical tastes. 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."

In the early-mid 2000’s, Lightfoot was singing her original music in coffee shops and open mics with her oldest daughter, Kaitlynn, who sang harmony. It was during her time performing at these humble venues that Lightfoot formed the 'Elbow River Band', featuring her daughter Kaitlynn, son-in-law Brandon, son Charlie, and her good friend, the talented singer/song writer, Tim Jeffery. The band's name was inspired by Lightfoot's family farm perched on the banks of the locally iconic Elbow River. In 2014, Lightfoot, as lead singer and songwriter for the group, released their debut album ‘Redtail Flyer’ which charted for weeks at #1 on college radio station CJSW’s folk chart. Not long afterward, life pulled many of the Elbow River Band members away, as the youngest members left to pursue academics and 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.

Lightfoot's upcoming album is highly anticipated, and one to look out for. Her unique, emotive vocal style, and timeless writing is guaranteed to strike a cord with all audiences who live, love and struggle in this world of ours.

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.