Canadian country music star Michelle Wright is heading home for a celebration of all things country this June.
Wright, who grew up in Merlin, will be performing at the Country Music Association of Ontario Festival & Awards weekend in London.
"It's fantastic to be back out and on the road again," said Wright. "Coming back to my home territory is always so fun for me. I look forward to it."
The first thing on the agenda for Wright is getting to Ontario. On Thursday, June 2, Wright will perform at the Legacy Revival at Thornhill's Purple Hill Country Hall. On Sunday, June 5, Wright will be performing a tribute to Canada's first lady of country music, Carroll Baker.
Along with her upcoming performances, Wright is getting ready to release a new album, Mile Stone, for the 30th anniversary of her hit single Take It Like a Man.
"We re-recorded Take It Like a Man for the record, I wrote a bunch of songs for the record and I recorded a few songs that I have been holding on for years, waiting for the right time to record it," said Wright. "I definitely miss being out there on the road. We are starting to make up for all the shows that had to be cancelled."
Wright spent most of her time during the pandemic writing and recording new music for the album. She said she has performed a couple of times over the past two years, but not nearly as much as she is used to.
Looking back on her career, Wright said it hasn't been a walk in the park.
"There's nothing like it and it's not an easy road to go down to be a touring and travelling musician," said Wright. "You've either got it or you don't. I've done this now for 40 years and I can't believe it has been 40 years."
At this point in her career, Wright said she is in the best place an artist could want.
"When you start out, you hope you'll be able to have enough success to keep doing it," said Wright. "The fact that I was able to have the type of success that I have had, share that with the fans out there, and be at this stage in my career, I couldn't ask for anything more."
As a small-town girl from Merlin, Wright said she kept dreaming and knew that one day her hard work would pay off.
"It's not the easiest road to go, but it has worked out well for me."