Dream Big by Shelley Lynch

Lynch, an attractive blonde, was born in Fernie, fifth of six children born to longtime residents Frank and Mary Lynch. A business-orientated family with strong faith and a strong love of music, a corner of the living room could always be found holding drums, guitar and organ ready for the family to entertain or sing together.

By age ten Shelley was playing guitar with older sister Kim. At 12 she had written her first song entitled “Spring.” She performed an original song in high school winning top prize against teacher contestants. This served to give confidence to perform at other functions.

Shelley loves to write. Songs come to her spontaneously and get written in minutes. She wrote songs for her first album picked for distribution by RDR Music in Toronto that saw some success but real triumph was seen overseas when the album reached number one on charts in Denmark, Holland, Sweden and other European countries.

Amazingly January 1998 had her song “Walk Through Life” at number four on the charts in Holland while Shania Twain’s tune “Man, I feel like a Woman”, was number ten. Getting notice three of the top six songs in Denmark and Holland were hers was unbelievabably exciting causing dreams and ideas that had her head spinning.

One dream realized was attending the Canadian Country Music Awards held in Calgary where she met famous stars. Another was performing live on Cable and on the Nashville North stage during Stampede Week in Calgary, getting great reviews by the local press.

People celebrated her success and predicted a bright future. Without a record label to market her music Shelley took an independent leap producing CDs under her own label Lynch Records. Les Bolen of Lizard Mountain Music in Jaffray produced, mixed and engineered the selections. Shelley and Bolen work well together and he knows the sound she wants to achieve.

Being independent is difficult but if successful then it’s easier to attract a label. Shelley is aware that talent is only a small part of success in this business. Management, direction, image, persistent determination and a record label are the true requirements.

But life hasn’t been without troubles. Shelley was eight when her mom suffered a car accident and landed in a wheelchair permanently. Ten years ago her brother Buddy experienced an accident that has left him in a wheelchair with severe nerve damage, a young cousin involved in a motorcycle accident is a quadriplegic.

Shelley met husband Frank because her aunt wanted to cheer her up by taking her to a local bar for a drink. A church group of skiers from Lethbridge sat next to them and one guy just wouldn’t shut up until they finally struck a conversation about farming. That guy was Frank, at one point Shelley asked him, “What do you want from a woman?” to which he replied, “I want a woman I can walk through life with”. That reply became the title song to the CD that launched her professional career.

While pregnant, Shelley was putting together a deal with Miles Goodwin of April Wine fame, to procure mechanical rights to the song “Like a Lover, Like a Song”, when she felt a large lump on the inside of her left knee. Not wanting to put her unborn child through chemical treatment Shelley kept the lump a secret. Those months were “hell” she says as she points to a long scar and adds that during therapy and convalescence she took time for a “good break, to think”. The song “Let Me Stay”, was written during that bleak time.

Shelley was employed at the Line Creek mine as first aid, mine rescue and safety personnel. She and Frank purchased property at Baynes Lake but couldn’t grow enough organic produce to generate a living.

Putting together a sound business plan Shelley found brokers and certifying agencies, learned to buy and soon the Dutchman’s Garden was established. Today, she manages employees, overseeing ordering, wholesalers, farmers, bin filling, bookkeeping, payroll, and delivery to homes from Cranbrook to the Crowsnest Pass and everywhere in between.

All she needs now is that big break to make her dream come true.

Perhaps now’s the time, with the Dream Big album being released internationally and the “Plowing and Cryin” single released to radio as well, plus being distributed on iTune and CDBaby.com, it could be that her ship is actually sailing in.

The lyrics are moving, the sound crisp, clear and upbeat.

If you want to try out the latest offering from local singer Shelley Lynch, check out Lynch Records, ask at a music store or just give the Dutchman’s Garden a call. Regardless whether she achieves the world limelight like she hopes, this young woman is already a success at life, proving she has what it takes to be an international star.

To join the Shelley Lynch fan club and for booking information write Lynch Records, Box 342, Fernie BC V0B 1M0

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