The B.C. Day long weekend in Terrace featured another one of the area’s long-standing traditions — those who are noting the 50th anniversary of graduating from the secondary school gather for a reunion.
Among those in the Class of ‘73 returning for a visit was Laurie Thain who has parlayed a start in music in the north to a singer-songwriter career based in the lower mainland and then overseas.
Long time residents will remember her parents, Bill and Evelyn, and her uncle and aunt, Bert and Rusty Ljungh. A musical strain runs through the family. Cousin Karin Ljungh was also a performer and another cousin, Jim Ljungh, continues to perform in the area.
Thain dates a first musical breakthrough to when she was 12, winning a talent contest — and $15 — at the community centre later destroyed by fire and located in what is now George Little Park.
Her first solo album, ‘Hopeless Romantic’, of 10 original songs was released in 1984. Her credits now include four solo albums.
Touring and performing provided an income for more than 20 years but in the face of a declining economy Thain moved to Japan where she taught English for nearly 10 years.
“While there I used music to teach children and become a presenter for for Oxford University Press at teaching conferences,” recounted Thain. “I also completed a masters degree in teaching English to young learners of other languages online from a university in England.”
Upon returning to Canada Oxford University Press asked her to write and record the songs and chants for Oxford Phonics World. That’s when she joined with Gord Maxwell to form a junior division of Pure Pacific Music called Pure Pacific Music for Young Learners.
Thain has also written custom music for offshore global publishers.
Thain said technology has changed how musicians can connect with their audiences.
“Success these days as an independent is closely related to technical skills and building a following on social media,” she said.
Major recording labels are also no longer gatekeepers to building audiences and demand so that performers with a good product and a promotional team, can build a following.
“For myself it is tricky as my followers are not always super interested in technology. Sometimes they like to stream or download their music but we also have CDs if they want a physical disc,” Thain said.
As far as recent endeavours, Thain, who is a member of the B.C. Country Music Hall of Fame, and Maxwell have just released a concept album of music about B.C. through www.maxwellandthain.com.