Singing the blues: Grand Falls-Windsor woman releases debut album

Grand Falls-Windsor-born Debra Power has released a debut album, after a singing career that saw her in the background for decades. 

St John's Morning Show14:48Singing the blues

Debra Power steps out of the shadows and into the limelight.

Power, who has lived in Calgary since 2012, isn't new to the industry and has sang vocals and played piano for many artists.

But up until now, Power said it was never the right time to put out her own record.

"I really felt that I had to pretty much — like I said in [the] song Redheads — I had to get off my ass and do an album that I've been wanting to do for years," Power told CBC Radio's St. John's Morning Show Wednesday.

Russell Broom, who played with Jann Arden and other big Canadian acts, plays guitar on the album. 

Pianist Mike Little, who has performed with George Canyon, and Chris Burn, who plays bass with The Road Hammers, make up the rest of the record. 

Power sang and played piano on her album, and produced it.

"It's absolutely amazing. I can't begin to describe the feeling of ... it's like you've had a child, you've just had a baby — and for the first time you're gazing at your child."

Power said some of the songs were written a long time ago, while others are brand new.  

It's only the early days, Power said, but she sold 150 albums while she was home for Christmas.

Power is heading to the International Blues Challenge in Memphis this month to represent southern Alberta as a solo artist.