Country gospel singer Cheryl Dunn will be performing twice in Hanmer this coming weekend.
She will perform on Sept. 6 at 1 p.m. at the Valley Pentecostal Church in Hanmer, with a rain check at Confederation Secondary School. She has a second concert Sept. 7 at Valley Pentecostal Church in Hanmer at 10 a.m.
"She has a vibrant sound complimented by a bright and compassionate personality," said her publicist, Deborah Wood.
Dunn released her first CD, Anybody Else, in 2002 to rave reviews. The album won the country/bluegrass album of the year in 2003.
"I never dreamed in a million years I would get it...what makes it such a phenomenal honour is that it is a people's choice award, voted on by fans," said Dunn.
Her follow-up album, Let's Go, also garnered many awards.
Dun recorded her first Christmas album, Emmanuel White Christmas, in 2007 and the first cut, She's The Lucky One, remained on the European charts until February 2008.
During 2007, Dunn spent a busy year sharing her ministry's journey of faith and music throughout Canada and the United States.
This year she has completed a tour of India and throughout Columbia with World Vision. She is currently on tour in Ontario.
However, being an award-winning country singer today is a far step from where her musical career began. She grew up in a musical family and at the age of eight was singing with her brother.
By 12, the young musician was involved with bands playing in clubs. By the time she turned 15, bars were a way of life. After 10 years she'd had enough and walked away from music altogether.
Years later she began to feel lost without the pleasure and creative outlet of music.
"Now I understand my talent is a God-given gift to be used. Just like the lyrics to the song Anybody Else would have left me crying, I sing with purpose," said Dunn.
