| » SHELLEY BUFFITT | |
| In 1999, Shelley Buffitt recorded her debut album "My First Love". The album was considered a huge success for a newcomer to the recording industry. Her first releases to radio had her charting in Canada and Europe within months. In October 1999, she was awarded "Female Vocalist of the Year" by Nashville Indie Tracker Magazine. In May 2000, the Ontario Country Music Association, nominated her "Female Vocalist of The Year", "CD of The Year" and the "Rising Star Award". Shelley performed at the Awards, along with Jamie Warren, Diane Chase, Colin Amey and John Landry. Shelley was also selected to present fellow songwriter, Jim Witter, with the "SOCAN Songwriter of the Year Award". It was quickly decided another album needed to follow the heels of success of "My First Love". The recording of Shelley's 2nd album "Bad Side of Town" began in April 2000. The album was released in August 2000. By October, "Bad Side of Town" was charted as the #2 album in European airplay. Her first single "Lady and A Friend" was polled at #1 on the PMI-USA/European charts. At home in Canada "Honky-Tonk Angels" a duet with friend Kelly Vohnn charted on the CanCountry Top 100. The single was nominated "Duet of The Year" at the "Ontario Country Performers and Fans Association Awards" in April 2002. Shelley was also nominated "Rising Star" at the awards, which was hosted by "The Good Brothers". In October 2000, TVOntario filmed a mini-documentary on Studio2 about Shelley , her music career and personal life. Shelley, a Paramedic also, was awarded in 1998 with the "International Odd fellows & Rebekahs"- "Good Samaritan of the Year Award" for her development of the Lynn Silver Assistance Fund. Ms. Buffitt also received the Governor General Award for Exemplary service in September 2005. Shelley has shared stages with other great artists such as Alannah Myles, The Stampeders, and Julian Austin, to name a few. Her long running CanCountry charting single "Lonely (looks like me)" released in 2002 was co-written with Canadian Music Icon Mark LaForme. Nashville Fan Fair event promoters also invited Shelley to perform at the Kitty Well's Dinner Theatre that same year. It was her first trip to Nashville and certainly not her last. Shelley has headlined such events as The Thunder Bay Music Festival in 2000 and the Nashville North Nightclub 10th Anniversary in Norval, Ontario in 2005. Film Director Brian Harris cast her in his film "One Wish" in 2002 in a guest appearance teaching the lead actress how to sing a song. Music written and performed by Shelley was also credited in the movie. In March of 2004, Shelley produced a 1 hour Internet Show for charity on www.livve.com The show was taped at the Caledon Village Inn to a sold out live audience and approximately 500 people viewed "Sharing A Reason". Syndicated Radio and Podcast "Brave New Frontiers" often features her as a Co-host on their show. Ms.Buffitt also commentates for Roger's Cable TV. Shelley was a special featured guest at "The Honeywood Potato Festival" in Honeywood, Ontario in August 2004. In October 2004, she was requested by the Board of Directors for the Southlake Regional Hospital to perform her dedication song to her best friend Margie who lost her battle to cancer at age 50. This fundraiser is an annual event to raise monies for cancer research. In November 2004, Shelley entertained at the Orangeville Mall. The appearance was sponsored by Jack Fraser Men's Wear. Shelley's performance and Cd sales also supported the "Choices Youth Shelter" and she was able to present a substantial donation to their charity. In December 2004, Shelley appeared at the Welland, Ontario "Toys For Tot's" benefit. Ms. Buffitt took a hiatus from performing in 2005 ,but she did perform at the Choices Night Out on Feb. 4th 2006 in Orangeville Ontario. Buffitt is also the lead vocalist for the "Shelley Cousins Band". The Band was nominated for "R & B Artists of the Year" at the Toronto Independent Music Awards in October 2006. Their album "InEvitable" was released in Feb. 2009 on I-Tunes by Alleged-Iguana Music. In September 2006 Ms. Buffitt released her debut book of lyrical prose called "This Red Book" . Currently she is writing a biography of the life of a Native Canadian woman entitled "1951". Shelley assists new talent with Artist Development through her music consulting agency "Iz-Wyed". Well respected as a Vocal Production stylist and songwriter, she has worked with many Canadian artists including Sheryl Dawn Ryan, Jessie Commisso, Grant Daniels, Lorne Nelson and Judy Kanyo as well as International talent, Richard Burr and Kelly Vohnn. In 2009, FACTOR (Foundation to Assist Talent On Records) selected Shelley as a Juror. |
|