started my career, I had heard of a local coat drive, and it inspired me to hold my own coat drive, but to combine it with music. I decided admission would be a gently used coat for children, youth, and adults, and in exchange, my friends and I would put on a holiday country concert. I’ve since partnered up with CMA Ontario for the past three years, and we’ve been able to make this event grow even more support within the community. To date, my Warm Coats Warm Hearts Coat Drive & Concert has been able to donate thousands of coats to local charities, as well as the proceeds. I’ve personally delivered many of the coats to local agencies and have been able to learn more about how they’re helping people and their families, and it’s amazing to see what they do for others. This year, we are going to Clarke Memorial Hall in Port Credit, Ontario, on November 28th, and I have a bunch of my friends coming, and it’s going to be another great event. The goal is to collect as many coats as possible and put on a good night that
been on my list since the beginning, and to be able to play that, like so many other artists, is how you know you’ve really made it. Just to be able to step onto that circle where so much soul and history has been, alongside so many incredible, iconic artists, would be an amazing part of my journey. It’s definitely one of those bucket list stages I hope to play in the near future. Spotlight on Business: Giving back is very important to you. You founded a Community Drive called ‘Warm Coats, Warm Hearts.’ Can you tell me a little more about that? Elyse Saunders: As I continue to grow as an artist, I love to give back and make a difference where I can. Warm Coats, Warm Hearts started about nine years ago. When I was in school, I have memories of kids being out on recess in the dead cold winter in a spring jacket with no hat and no mitts, and I remember it really standing out to me, and it didn’t sit right. Once I had
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These things don’t happen overnight, but if you believe in what you do, you don’t take no for an answer because you love what you do, and you are your biggest champion in the end. ”
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they’re both such a completely different version of myself and of my art. In the studio, you see your baby come to life. Then, to bring that to the stage with your band and perform live in front of a crowd, and feed off their energy and emotion, there is nothing else out there like that. Getting to finally play the songs live on a stage is pretty electric and probably my favorite. Spotlight on Business: You’re very busy touring and performing at festivals and events. How has this helped you as an artist? How is the experience different for you as an artist when performing for 45,000 people at festivals like Boots & Hearts and for a couple of thousand at Sussex Fundy Fest? Elyse Saunders: Performing on so many different stages has allowed me to discover who I am, my sound as an artist, and the type of songs I create. I’ve been fortunate to perform on small stages with a couple of hundred people, and larger venues like Boots & Hearts Festival for 45,000 country
music fans. I think it creates flexibility as an artist to connect with the audience in various settings. The big difference when performing for a smaller audience versus a bigger one is the energy. It’s all about creating a show and moments for each type of audience. The bigger audiences are usually there to party, whereas smaller settings allow you the moments to show more personality and be able to talk a little more. Both serve their purposes, and I love both equally. My goal is to always bring moments for the audience, no matter what size the audience is, and leave them with something memorable. The experience is seeing people happy and being a part of the songs with us, whatever size it is, is the best part. Spotlight on Business: Talking about festivals and events. What is one festival, event, or venue that is on your career bucket list to play? Why? Elyse Saunders: Definitely the Grand Ole Opry here in Nashville. That one has
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