What does winning the 2015 New Brunswick Dream Night Talent Search competition mean to you?
I entered the competition because it’s a great opportunity for an artist to get exposure. It’s a well-run competition and you get to perform on a big stage when the judges think you’re ready. There was a lot of amazing talent at this competition from the USA and Canada. I found that being selected as the overall winner was surreal; I didn’t expect it at all. I just do my thing, listen to the advice of the judges and enjoy the performances. I think the best part of competition isn’t just the winning; it’s also the contacts, exposure and the friends that you make during the process.
What inspired you to become a musician?
Singing and playing guitar was just something I always wanted to do. I’ve been singing my whole life, started learning guitar at 7 years old and I wrote my first song at 8. Music has always been a part of my family. They took me to many folk festivals and we were always listening to many different styles of music on trips and at home. I think seeing other artists, who are amazing at what they do, inspires me in many ways.
What surprises have you encountered in pursuing your music career?
I was surprised to make it on to the hit TV show YTV the Next Star as a top 9 finalist out of 7000 auditions. To have Disney producers checking me out online was cool. I was surprised and honoured to be asked to be part of an album for the International Christmas Child Charity. I’m constantly surprised at the amount of support my first EP gets all over the world. I was surprised when I heard some of my songs on the Radio and when I started getting messages from friends that they heard me on the radio. Of course, winning the Dream Night Competition was also a surprise because there were so many amazing artists competing.
What has been your biggest challenge to date?
I think my biggest challenge at this moment is writing songs for a full album. I’m halfway there, so stay tuned to my social media for upcoming announcements.
What’s your process for writing lyrics and where do you get the inspiration for your songs?
I get lyric ideas everywhere. I hear something catchy or cool and I type it into my iPhone. I’m always thinking about melodies and riffs. Sometimes I start with a melody and the words come later and sometimes I start with the words and then create the melody. There’s also a place in Sherbrooke Village Nova Scotia that I find to be really inspiring. It’s an old broken dock overlooking the water. It’s very peaceful and a great place to write. I actually wrote my song “Sacred Ground” that I sang in the Finals of the Dream Night Competition on that dock.
Tell us about your most memorable performances.
My most memorable performance has to be playing this summer on the Main Stage at the Stan Rogers Folk Festival for a crowd of 10,000+ people. My parents have been going to this festival for years. It was a dream and a goal of mine to play on the Main Stage and it happened this summer. Another memorable performance was being on YTV The Next Star. I got to see how television shows work, made some great friends and a lot of people started following me. Other memorable shows include; singing a tribute to Stomping Tom at a Charity Hockey Heroes weekend at the Casino NB, being a part of Jeff’s Musical Car (youtube) and Jeff’s Musical Couch (Rogers TV).
Have you shared the stage with anyone we would know?
I performed a Christmas show in Cape Breton Nova Scotia a couple of years ago with Nicholas David from ‘The Voice.’ I’ve also performed on the same stage and have been mentored by Chuck Brodsky, Michael Johnson, Bruce Guthro, Catherine MacLellan, Stan Roger’s son Nathan Rogers and many other great musicians and people. I just recently opened for Joan Kennedy who was second only to Garth Brooks in Radio plays back in the 1990’s in Canada. I’m also opening for Twin Kennedy soon. They were recently nominated for a Canadian Country Music Award.
Anything else you want to share?
Just that I’m so thankful for all the people in my life that have spent time with me and helped me do what I love to do. I’m proud to say that Wendy Kay of Utopia Artists is one of those people in my life that has helped me and so many others develop as young artists. It’s events like the Dream Night Talent Search that provide opportunities for young artists like me to hone their performance skills, meet like-minded people and to continue to do what they love to do. Everyone truly wins at events like this.
You can check out Cameron at http://www.talentwatch.net/artist/profile/cameronmolloy