Sharon Anderson’s love for music began in the snowy foothills of Northern Alberta, where the hum of a stereo console filled her childhood home with the voices of the Carter Family, Wanda Jackson, and Bobby Vinton. As a little girl, she’d crouch beside the speakers, trying to catch a glimpse of tiny musicians behind the mesh, her imagination soaring on long-play records and in the stories of her well-worn Enchanted Trails book collection. By her teens, a Gibson guitar—once played by her mother, who had opened for Webb Pierce with her uncle—became her creative compass. From early folk tunes inspired by Peter, Paul, and Mary to the life-altering arrival of The Beatles, Beach Boys, and Led Zeppelin, Anderson began to find her gems… James Taylor, Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, Cat Stevens, and was drawn toward storytelling with rhythm and heart.
Her sound blends indie folk, soft soul, classic country, and country-folk, carrying both the grit of prairie soil and the polish of golden-era studio sessions. Influenced by the lyrical depth of Gordon Lightfoot and the rich harmonies of CSN&Y, Anderson writes songs that feel both personal and panoramic. Tracks like “Uncle” and “This Wilderness Is Home” are vivid slices of rural memory, while “God Is for Everyone” captures her spiritual path as a practicing Kriya Yogi. Her music doesn’t chase trends—it remembers, reflects, and reaches, shaped by a lifetime of movement and meaning.
But the path hasn’t always been steady. At Grant MacEwan Music College, technical jargon and rigid instruction briefly silenced her instincts. It wasn’t until she was cut loose to perform with a funk band at a live concert performance, that her teacher, Dasha, ran to hug her exclaiming “ I didn’t know you could sing!! “ Her trust in her voice was cemented, and she found her footing again, thriving in Edmontons eclectic scene of writers and band mates. Later, in the high-pressure world of Nashville, the grind pushed her to step back in the ’90s for a much-needed reset. “I took things too seriously,” she says, recognizing that ambition without peace leads nowhere. That pause led to clarity—and a new approach rooted in balance and spiritual alignment.
Her proudest moment isn’t an award or chart position—it’s contentment. After years of impatience and second-guessing, Anderson says she’s finally learned to “not let thoughts overtake me.” That stillness is now her foundation. With over 300 songs under her belt—including her own Capitol release charters, cuts by Lisa Brokop and The Judds, and a crowning achievement Ian Tyson co-write—her catalog is both deep and diverse. Her album Bringing It Home earned Alberta’s Song of the Year for “I Take It Back”, a marker of her staying power and heartfelt craftsmanship.
Connection is at the heart of Anderson’s artistry. She builds it online through raw, uplifting posts on Facebook and in person through spirited performances—whether playing classic pop in pubs, leading songwriter nights, or clogging at Tennessee fairs. “I want to share my best energy,” she says, a mantra that carries into her Zumba classes at the Y and the music she’s now preparing to release with Apolone Music. From her home outside Nashville, she’s diving into a new season—full of “heart songs and soul poetry” ready to reach old fans and new.
Up next: studio sessions with longtime collaborator Chas Williams, where she’ll continue to record and resurrect what she calls her “cream of the crop” material. Her goals are simple but strong: “I want to do what I’m good at. I want to generate joy and growth, support my family, and keep going.” Alongside her music, Anderson is also sharing her stories through her books, As If Smiling and Between the Twilight and the Rim. Whether through songwriting, prose, or performance, she continues to bridge spirituality and sound, roots and reinvention.
“Thank you to everyone who’s been part of this journey,” she says, gratitude spilling over for her family, fans, pals, and every note she’s been able to share. To step into Sharon Anderson’s world is to sit with a seasoned storyteller—one who sings with soul, lives with presence, and reminds us to align with what you love and let the music lead you home.