In my industry, I get to participate in a lot of extremely cool things. And, well....sometimes I have to really go-out-on-a-limb! For instance, Painting a picture when my best painting - EVER - may have been from Grade 5 (and, that's a stretch.)

It was 3 years ago that I saw something unique on facebook. It was introduced to me by New Brunswick Country Music Recording Artist - Chris Cummings. It prompted an interview with Chris that led me to an introduction to Tim Fox in Fredericton. So, this year I have finally come out of my shell and sent in my painting.

It is A Brush For Hope, a fund-raising project for The Kidney Foundation of Canada where celebrities from across Canada put brush to canvas to raise funds for Kidney Research. These paintings are then auctioned off on eBay.ca - this year being Oct. 20 - 30th.

Kits are sent out early in the year (paints, brushes, canvas, etc.) and then it is up to the "celebrity" to paint whatever he/she would like to display to the world. I have no idea how I have been deemed "Celebrity" status but, I certainly am OK with helping the Kidney Foundation.

Paintings will be auctioned October 20 -30th, 2011 on eBay.ca so please stop by and check them out! All you have to do is type "kidney foundation" in the search field and bid on the painting!

Some of the Celebrity painters are: Chris Cummings, Myself (Country 93 - Owen Sound), Jason McCoy, Clayton Bellamy, Mike Myers, Brent Butt, Natalie MacMaster, Faber (Faber Drive), Julian Austin, Justin Trudeau, Paul Brandt, and Steven Sabados (Steven & Chris of The Designer Guys)...with many, many more. My initial idea was to paint a Maritime ocean scene, as I love and miss the ocean. However, my skill level at painting dictated that I paint a portrait of my Portuguese Water Dog - Port Colborne's Finn. He is almost 18 months old and the "baby" in my life. Please check it out on ebay.ca...and check out all the other fabulous paintings while you are there!

My link: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Donna-Henry-Original-Painting-Kidney-Foundation-Brush-Hope-Dog-/110761637613?pt=Art_Paintings&hash=item19c9e876ed

Column for The Northern Light in Bathurst, New Brunswick...

FanFest at the CCMAs in Hamilton, ON with Doc Walker...

From The DH Files:

In the words of Carolyn Dawn Johnson, let me introduce myself...or re-introduce myself to you. Born, raised and having lived most of my life in Bathurst, NB...it'll always be considered my home, and I thought I could share some of my DIVA DJ experiences with you. [Insert Rolly eyes here.]

It has been 9 years since I moved out to Owen Sound, ON....where I work as a Morning/Midday On Air Personality for Country 93 - Bayshore Broadcasting Corp. - see, Al Hebert...you influenced me! I have to admit, I love my job! And, I love working with independant artists. Yes, I am also an Emerging Artist Coordinator.

What in the world is that, you may ask?! Well, with the support of my station, I help Indie Artists (especially in Country music) try to survive in the music industry. If I can help an Artist/Musician gain some "airplay" or "popularity" or get extra "gigs"....that makes me happy!

Last year was HUGE for Indie Artists seeing Victoria Banks win Female Vocalist of the Year & Gord Bamford winning Male Vocalist of the Year at the 2010 CCMAs (Canadian Country Music Awards), with both up for the Awards again this year in Hamilton, ON. I have to say: I felt like a proud Mom. Both were very deserving of their awards.

A Muskoka girl now living in Nashville, Victoria Banks is a sweetheart full of soul and one of the best Songwriters in the industry. Her latest CD, Never Be The Same, is about empowerment and I love each song and the stories behind them.

Born in Australia and having moved to Lacombe, Alberta at age 5, Gord Bamford knows how to throw out - or throw in rotation - one great song after another. 2011 sent Gord into Eastern Canada on his Rowdy Boys Tour, which started in Owen Sound, with Aaron Pritchett & Marshall Dane. All 3 put on a great show, and I hope you got to see them.
If you are an Emerging Artist...what are you waiting for???? GET IN TOUCH! And, if you have an interest in Canadian Country Artists and have access to the net...I welcome you to listen in to Country 93 for our WHATS NEW program with Bob Bannister & myself, Saturdays 7pm & Mondays 10pm (NB time) at http://www.country93.ca/ By the way, I'm Donna Henry, former Bathurst resident currently On Air for Country 93 - Mornings/Middays/Emerging Artist Coordinator in Owen Sound, ON.