Big dreams lead a talented local youth to Nashville

This time last year, after a friend shared a Facebook post about a fun
singing competition she might be interested in, fourteen-year-old Addy
Watson could never have imagined where it would lead her. The post was
from Global Country Canada.
After sending in her audition, Watson found herself in the winner’s circle,
landing second place in the junior category and receiving an invite to
Nashville for a trip of a lifetime with her mom, Rachel, and younger sister,
Ainsley, where she would receive mentorship, learn about the industry,
make connections and compete in the international portion of the
competition, the North American Country Music Associations International
Awards (NACMAI).
Artists who have come up through Global Country Canada (GCC) include
Brett Kissel, who won when he was 13, Aaron Goodvin, and St. Albert’s
Hailey Benedict, all of whom now enjoy their songs on the radio and have
awards on their shelves.
“Quite a few artists got a lot out of this. It was wild that she got the
opportunity to do this. It is still crazy to me,” exclaimed her mom, Rachel.
As for Watson, the opportunity left her speechless. “It’s crazy to think that
the same people I’m working with in the organization have also worked with
big, successful people. I don’t know how to describe it.”
The trip happened through the first half of March, roughly a year from her
audition. In the months between the announcement and her getting to go,
GCC helped Watson gain experience by inviting her to Edmonton to
perform live, helping prepare her for the performances she would have to
do in Nashville.
After a long red-eye flight to Music City, a now fifteen-year-old Watson and
her cheering section arrived the morning of March 6. “We went to an event
right away. I was tired but excited because we had just arrived in Nashville,

and thirty minutes later, we were going to a songwriter’s showcase. The
venue was so cool,” explained Watson.
As she experienced Backstage Nashville at 3rd & Lindsley, Watson got to
put faces to the lyrics behind some of the industry’s biggest names and the
songs that made them popular. “There’s this one guy who played there
called Marv Green. He just looked like a normal guy on the street, and you
would’ve never guessed that he’s written so many hit songs. He’s written
for Eric Church, Carrie Underwood, Jon Bon Jovi, George Strait, and the
list goes on. He was incredible.” Green also wrote for Willie Nelson, Tim
McGraw and Morgan Wallen and co-wrote Amazed by Lonestar. “I think
that’s when she fell in love with Nashville because she realized it’s beyond
the singing and playing. It’s about the people behind it all,” added her mom.
After walking along Nashville’s Broadway and popping into local hot spots
for a couple of days, Watson attended a two-day boot camp held by Terri
Clark’s songwriter and her husband, who plays bass guitar in Clark’s band,
before heading to Pigeon Forge for the international competition, NACMAI.
The competition was strict, giving competitors eight minutes to perform two
songs in each category they wanted to compete in. “The countdown starts
when you step onto the stage and plug in your guitar and ends when you
unplug it. You have eight minutes to sing two songs. You must finish before
the time ends, or you are disqualified from the competition. It’s nerve-
wracking,” explained Watson.
The competition days were long. Watson said on one of the days, she sang
at 9 am and then waited until 7 pm to sing another set in a different
category. There were vocalist and entertainer categories in old and new
country, gospel and folk, and age levels from youngsters to older adults. “It
was fascinating watching people perform,” said her mom.
After four days of competing, Watson received three awards in her
categories and age group: Most Promising Vocalist, Future Star Entertainer
and New Horizon Country Song, for her hand-penned song Falling Bricks.
The trio returned to Nashville for the final few days of the trip and found
their way back to 3rd & Lindsley. “We got to see the Time Jumpers. Those

guys were awesome on their instruments. It was so cool to watch. They’ve
collaborated with so many people. They played a song with Miranda
Lambert called All That’s Left. I like performing it. So, I already knew who
they were, and I was excited to see them.”
Since returning to Whitecourt and getting back into her grade ten studies at
Hilltop High School, Watson has been floating on the whirlwind excitement
of her twelve days in Nashville and is waiting to hear back on something
extra cool. “The folks that ran the boot camp asked her if they could meet
on the phone and chat about mentoring her,” explained her mom. “At some
point, I might have to go back to Nashville for that,” said Watson with a big
smile.
The changes in her life have been swift, having only started singing in
public over the last two years. Her first live performance on stage
happened in Sangudo on July 8, 2023, after her grandfather encouraged
her to sing during SummerFest at Deep Creek Campground.
“The summer before (2022), I started singing around the campfire with my
family. People would hear me and come to listen,” explained Watson. As
the crowd size around the fire grew, folks started suggesting she sing on
the stage at the campground. “I never thought in a million years that she
would be singing,” said her mom. “She didn’t have confidence and was
very anxious, and singing pulled her through it. We thought, “Who is this
kid? It was a relief as a parent to see her do it and for people to be so
supportive.”
Watson even has a new hobby her friends and boyfriend, Emmett, have
jumped onto. “We sing karaoke at the Ritz Cafe & Motor Inn. We try to go
every time because it’s so much fun. Our group is called Emmett and
Friends because every time we write down a song on paper, it says
Emmett and Addy or Emmett and Dallas, so they started calling us Emmett
and Friends,” laughed Watson.
Watson will play at Whitecourt’s Party In The Park again this year (June 13-
14) and hit the stage at SummerFest in Sangudo (July 4-6), where
everything started for her. She can also be seen on stage this month at the

Dance In The Dirt event featuring Drew Gregory by the Whitecourt Ag
Society.
Watson said she credits Andrew Malmquist, Arts and Culture Coordinator,
with the Town of Whitecourt, for helping her get on different stages,
including recently opening for Rum Ragged. “If I didn’t have community
support, I wouldn’t be where I am now. It feels good having people come
out and watch and support you. I wouldn’t be as confident if no one came
to watch,” said Watson.
As to any negativity she might face, Watson spoke like someone wise
beyond her years. “If people say good things, you say thank you, and if
people say bad things, you have to say thank you too.” Congratulations on
your awards, Addy!