For Jann Arden, the decision to jump into the world of reality television was a no-brainer.
But only because the show isn’t about finding the next big superstar.
Global TV’s Canada Sings kicked off production on their second season earlier this week, the same time Arden hit the Trans-Canada Highway for a two-month, cross-country tour, which includes a stop at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium March 2.
The show has workplace glee clubs perform on national television in order to win money for the charity of their choice. That philanthropic angle is what drew the Canadian songstress to agree to be a judge for the program.
“It’s just been over the moon,” she said. “I’ve gotten so much great feedback, wonderful letters. I think for the people that participated and that have never sung or danced in their lives, it’s just a life-changing opportunity for them.”
“It’s given them more confidence and really gotten them thinking ‘gosh, there’s really nothing I can’t do in life.’ I think that’s an encouraging message to anybody watching the show.”
Filming for the new season begins at the end of March and Arden is excited to return to the judges table with fellow returning judge Rob Van Winkle, also known as Vanilla Ice, and first-time judge Laurieann Gibson, who’s choreographed for some of the biggest names in pop, including Michael Jackson, Nicki Minaj, Beyonce and Lady Gaga.
“I’m excited to see Vanilla Ice and to see the new routines and the singing and dancing and all the great, heart-warming stories that come with that. I think it’s a great show,” said Arden.
Arden broke out onto the Canadian music scene in the early 1990s with her debut album Time For Mercy featuring the hit single I Would Die For You. She later garnered attention in the U.S. with the hit Insensitive.
The music has never stopped coming and Arden will be promoting her latest album Uncover Me 2 on this tour. The album is her second to consist of cover songs with the exception of one original.
Uncover Me 2 features Arden’s take on songs from groups like The Beach Boys, The Motels, The Smiths and Fleetwood Mac.
The allure of doing a cover album is about recording songs that people are familiar with, but it’s also about having fun, she said.
“It gives me a break,” she said. “I had written my memoir for a year and a half, so I wasn’t really doing any songwriting. I didn’t have the time, so going into this record, it just made sense for a lot of reasons.”
On this record, Arden also worked with producer Bob Rock, who has worked with acts like Metallica, ACDC, Bon Jovi and Michael Buble.
It wasn’t hard for Arden to sing his praises.
“He just brought so much to the table,” she said. “He just really pushed me as far as the singing went and it was a lot of fun.”
“I love all of my records but I think Bob really stepped it up,” she said, adding she hopes to record an album of original songs with Rock later this year.
Amidst her foray into reality television and releasing a new album last year, Arden also released her memoir, Falling Backwards, last fall.
She was approached by Random House to write anything – a novel, short story, poetry, whatever the singer was interested in writing.
“I just thought it would be really fun and interesting to write about growing up in Alberta. The book ends when I’m turning 30, so it has nothing to do with the music business or anything like that,” she said. “It’s really just about life in the prairies and my family and just growing up.”
Falling Backwards is now a best-seller and the response from fans has been overwhelming.
“I’m getting hundreds of letters from people who can relate to growing up and how much it affected them and they just really appreciated my honesty,” said Arden, who is known for her honesty – about the good and bad in her life.
“It’s been a really positive experience,” she said.
Arden takes the stage at the Auditorium on Fri., March 2. Show starts at 8 p.m. For ticket information visit www.tbca.com.
Follow Jodi Lundmark on Twitter @JodiL_reporter
