It starts with a song, a song that can take your breath away or leave you with a tear in your eye. Add to this a beautiful, clear, natural voice as strong as anybody coming out of Nashville these days and couple that with exceptional stage skills as an entertainer and you have Shelly Dubois.
Robert McCourty, Artistic Director
Island Folk Festival - Duncan, BC
Dubois' music is honest and from the heart with a spirited energy that, in combination with Dubois' melodious voice and, playful twangy guitars, will make you want to get up and dance and sing along at the top of your lungs.
Jacquie Maynard, Peace River Record Gazette
Peace River, Alberta
Shelly Dubois loves country music. You can hear it when you listen to her sing.
A Peace River, Alberta native, Dubois was raised on a steady diet of country classics.
Her father worked in the oil industry as a truck driver and her mother stayed at home, raising their five children. The musically rich environment inspired Dubois to sing along to her parent's record collection, learning songs by artists such as Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, Dolly Parton and many more.
At the age of eight, Dubois picked up her mother's accordion and two years later, she had a guitar in hand - strumming and singing to songs of home.
"I love to sing songs that tell a story and create a connection with the listener. It's a great feeling", says Dubois.
In May 2008, Dubois released her debut CD 'I'm Not Lookin' Back' a collection of well written stories, made believable through her powerful vocals that visit classic country stylings and country rock with the same ease. All ten songs are penned by Dubois - 'About Men', 'I'm Not Lookin' Back' and 'Time for Leavin' receives internet radio play in Canada, the United States, Austria, France and the Netherlands. You can also find 'I'm Not Lookin' Back' on the Songwriters Music Festival compilation CD.
Having experienced the loss of her daughter to brain cancer shortly after the release of her debut CD, Dubois' set all business aside and focused her attention to her family.
"I thought I would never sing again", says Dubois, "But with the encouragement from family, friends and my music family, I slowly eased back into my music and found that it was actually healing for me".