Biography
An oversight derailed Canadian vocalist Verna Charlton’s near-miss at country music prominence, compelling her to restart her climb after a promising 1993 release. Radio outlets across Canada granted favorable spins to her single “Breakin’ All Over Town,” prompting industry observers to forecast an imminent chart-topping run. Because her label had omitted Canadian licensing, however, the track was abruptly withdrawn. Songwriters Karen Staley and Pam Tillis saw the composition subsequently purchased by MCA Records for another performer. The setback spurred Charlton to launch her own imprint in 1994; she repurchased the earlier masters and issued them on cassette as My First Ten, which again featured her rendition of “Breakin’ All Over Town.”
She has twice claimed first place in the CKWX Nashville Songwriter’s Competition, an achievement that opened doors to Nashville collaborations with several established writers, including Bobby Wood, composer of “In Another’s Eyes,” and Richard Leigh, author of “Somewhere in My Broken Heart” and “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue.” Raised in Dawson Creek, BC, Canada, Charlton honed her voice in choirs and local ensembles before making her first recordings in 1989 as a member of Mile Zero. The group received the Country Group of the Year award at the 1991 CARAS West Coast Music Awards. After departing Mile Zero in 1992, she pursued a solo career and signed with Vancouver’s Musicline Records; later that year the British Columbia Country Music Association placed her alongside Patricia Conroy and Lisa Brokop as a Female Vocalist of the Year nominee. Her singles “Between Your Heart and Mine” and “Still in Love With You” both enjoyed strong listener response.
Charlton moved to Calgary, AB, Canada, in 1997. Fronting her band Hey!Ride, she performs on acoustic guitar and lead vocals alongside lead guitarist Andie Ferraz, bass guitarist Marty Peterson, and drummer Archie Maclean.
She has twice claimed first place in the CKWX Nashville Songwriter’s Competition, an achievement that opened doors to Nashville collaborations with several established writers, including Bobby Wood, composer of “In Another’s Eyes,” and Richard Leigh, author of “Somewhere in My Broken Heart” and “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue.” Raised in Dawson Creek, BC, Canada, Charlton honed her voice in choirs and local ensembles before making her first recordings in 1989 as a member of Mile Zero. The group received the Country Group of the Year award at the 1991 CARAS West Coast Music Awards. After departing Mile Zero in 1992, she pursued a solo career and signed with Vancouver’s Musicline Records; later that year the British Columbia Country Music Association placed her alongside Patricia Conroy and Lisa Brokop as a Female Vocalist of the Year nominee. Her singles “Between Your Heart and Mine” and “Still in Love With You” both enjoyed strong listener response.
Charlton moved to Calgary, AB, Canada, in 1997. Fronting her band Hey!Ride, she performs on acoustic guitar and lead vocals alongside lead guitarist Andie Ferraz, bass guitarist Marty Peterson, and drummer Archie Maclean.
Albums
