Local country artist Morgan Klaiber is ready to perform on the grandstand stage this Saturday during the Medicine Hat & Exhibitions Cars and Guitars concert and car show.--SUBMITTED PHOTO
bmiller@medicinehatnews.com
Local ranch hand and rising country music artist Morgan Klaiber is ready to put a on boot-stompin’ performance in front of a hometown crowd this Saturday as she gets set to rock the grandstand as the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede hosts the ‘Cars and Guitars’ classic rock festival and show and swap meet.
Klaiber grew up on her family’s ranch, located 30 minutes south of Medicine Hat, where she works and says she seriously started pursuing music following the pandemic. However, as a child she was raised in a household full of music as her father, Resse Klaiber, who was a singer and songwriter, fostered her passion of music as a child.
Klaiber received musical tutoring as a child but says she was more focused on sports and her work on the ranch as music was more of a hobby while growing up. It wasn’t until later in life as an adult Klaiber was inspired to take that “hobby and passion” and pursue a career as a full-time country artist.
Klaiber says she draws inspiration from country artists in the 70s, 80s and 90s, as well as classic rock and roll, and says she doesn’t write about “pickup trucks, beers and girls.”
“I 100 per cent draw inspiration from life out here,” says Klaiber. “One of the first songs I ever released to a digital streaming platform is called ‘Life Out There.’ It’s very much about being torn between two worlds of going on the road to do music and being back home here in a world, environment and community that I love.”
Klaiber’s new single ‘Cowboy Killer’ was done in conjunction with the Calgary Stampede and was used as the background music for their Showdown Sunday wrap-up video featuring rodeo highlights over the 10 days of Stampede.
“I wrote it for the community,” says Klaiber. “It’s kind of about my experiences being an adrenaline junkie and hopping on less than tame ones growing up.”
Another recent single, ‘Wilder Horses,’ has been picked up by local radio stations. Both of these can be found on Klaiber’s debut full-length studio album that she will be releasing on Oct. 19.
“I want to put together a collection of songs and sounds that was really reflective of where I came from and the people that I came from and their musical interests and styling and music that really represents us out in the countryside here in Alberta.”
She says the band and herself are excited to play in front of a hometown audience on the grandstand stage as they join Canadian Clearwater Revival for a night of country and classic rock during the free event held by the Stampede on Saturday at 7 p.m.
“It’s pretty cool to get to play that stage,” she says. “It’s a cool feeling in your hometown to see your poster or billboard. It’s a very surreal experience but something I’m pretty proud of.”
Klaiber will also be returning to Medicine Hat on Oct. 19 to release her debut album and perform at the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre.
“It’s not just a milestone for me, it’s a milestone for my band I play with and anybody that’s been involved in this career and this project over the last little while. We’ve all made a lot of sacrifices and done a lot of things to pound the pavement, get the name out there and reach for the big shows.
“It’s a celebration night for a lot of people and it’s a date on the calendar I’m really looking forward to.”
