Local country music sweetheart Karissa Hoffart has her name on the same poster as some big names including Paul Brandt, Dean Brody, Hunter Brothers, and Dallas Smith.

The singe-songwriter, also a Registered Nursing living in Lumsden and previously in Weyburn, shared with us how she got on with the Dauphin Country Festival on the Canada Day long weekend.

"This year I've been really pushing, trying to get as many gigs as I can, and pushing out my name, making sure people know that I want to perform," she shared. "These guys reached out to me and I was like, 'yeah, of course I want to perform on the same stage as Terri Clark, Paul Brandt and Johnny Reid!'." 

She noted there will also be a number of Canadian artists in the mix as well, and, since it will be a similar format to the Craven's Country Thunder, she hopes to be able to hob-nob with some of her favourites.

"I remember growing up hearing about the Dauphin Country fest all the time, wanting to go to it, so this was my first time going and performing there," said Hoffart. "They have campsites for artists, so I'm sure that there's going to be some jamming and some getting to know some other people and I'm really excited for that, too."

Hoffart said she has always loved Terri Clark, so that's somebody that she hopes to meet.

"She's been an inspiration. And Jess Moskaluke is going to be there, which I really love our Saskatchewan Jess, she's awesome, and yeah, there's also some people that I have met and know already, like Shantaia. I know her. And so I'm looking forward to seeing a lot of people that I know and meeting new people."

A big fan of music festival events, Hoffart said she's also been invited to be part of the 2022 lineup for the Gateway Music Festival in Bengough, which she was supposed to have played in 2020 before it was cancelled. She will also be performing June 11th at PumpJacks Steakhouse and Saloon in Weyburn. Follow her artist page on Facebook to stay up to date with touring dates.  

Hoffart said she plays original songs as well as the classic country, and everything in between. 

"I go from originals to Patsy Cline to Jess Moskaluke, Tenille Arts, Loretta Lynn, I love the variety that country music has so I really play it all. and of course I bring a little rock and roll, Joan Jett and the Black Hearts and Pat Benatar. All that stuff. And this year I'm hoping to play a little bit more of like Alabama, Lynyrd Skynyrd stuff like that."

Find more about the artist HERE.

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