Singer-songwriter sees her dreams come true by Kristin Froneman, Vernon Morning Star

Published: January 20, 2009


Pauline Kyllonen is riding high over the rainbow thanks to hard work, patience and help from a Music BC incentive.

The local singer-songwriter has not only seen her recently-released independent CD receive airplay on national radio, she has also been featured on the country music station, Canadian Music Television.

In November, the folk-country roots artist found out through a friend that she had been featured as an independent artist on CMT’s Chevy Cross Canada Countdown with Casey Clarke.

“Well, I was surprised to say the least. The show is broadcast Canada-wide, so to be mentioned on the show is pretty exciting for me,” said Kyllonen. “You spend all this time doing things to get yourself some recognition, and when you get to this point, it’s amazing.”

A singer since birth, Kyllonen began pursuing music seriously six years ago.

After being named a finalist at a few local talent competitions, she entered one of her first compositions, Rainbow Café, into the Music BC Music Assistance Program (MAP).

The song managed to win her three days of studio time at The Factory Studios in Vancouver.

It took three years, but Kyllonen finally recorded and produced her debut self-titled CD in April.

“It was a matter of saving up money to bring in the musicians, have it mastered and packaged,” she said. “The studio time was free. If there wasn’t Music BC, I wouldn’t have been able to do it.”

In the studio, Kyllonen worked with some of Canada’s best producers and musicians, including John Maclean and Sheldon Zaharko of The Factory Studios, Pat Steward on drums (The New Odds, Bryan Adams, Matthew Good), guitarist Shaun Verreault (Wide Mouth Mason), bassist Doug Elliot (The New Odds) and Tyson Naylor on keyboards.

Officially released in June, Kyllonen has been busy self-marketing the CD through the Internet, community, on college and online radio and live performances around B.C.

She has also sent it in for Juno consideration.

“If you believe in yourself, you can accomplish what it is you want to do,” she said. “Even if you don’t make it to the Grammys, the fact that you tried makes you proud.”

Kyllonen has also started a radio promotion campaign with Toronto’s RadioDirectX to market the CD to radio stations worldwide.

More recently, the CD ranked 52 on the top 100 albums of 2008 and 12th in the top roots/country albums for 2008 on Kamloops university and community radio station CFBX.

Next up for Kyllonen is a live performance at Kelowna’s Mountainstock festival, Saturday at 1 p.m. at O’Flannagan’s Pub.

All funds raised will benefit the Okanagan Victim’s Services/ Central Okanagan Elizabeth Fry Society for Victims of Violence.

For more information, or to hear Kyllonen’s music, check out her Web site at www.paulinekyllonen.com.

Her CD is available at CD Baby, ITunes and Bering Music in Kelowna and Westbank.