I’ve always loved music and how it makes me feel. The power of a song that can bring you back in time and put a smile on your face. Or how an emotional song can make you feel such an intense feeling that you feel it to the core.

At 14 years old, I had just started singing infront of my family and showing my blossoming talent. On my 15th birthday, on the way home from a trip to Barrie, my mother and I stopped for gas in the small town of Burk’s Fall. My mom notice a consignment music store and suggested we check it out. Inside there was a group of people just wrapping up a jam session. They asked if we played an instrument or could sing. My mother immediate said ‘she can sing’ as she was pointing to me. I had been singing a cover version of the Animal’s House of the Rising Sun so I asked if they knew that song. Sure enough one guitarist started playing the melody then another guitarist jumped in. When I started singing it was like the room filled with movement as all the musicians started picking up their instruments and joining along. Next was the drummer, then another guitar started playing. Soon I had some backup singers. It was little 15 year old me surrounded by a group of 60 year olds jamming out in perfect harmony.

This random jam session meeting has turned into a great friendship. I have travelled down to jam with the group a few times and I have performed with Benny ‘Bones’ on guitar at the Burk’s Falls Legion at the 3rd Friday Coffee House hosted by Hunter’s Bay Radio. We received alot of praise for our performance and I earned an invitation to be an opening act at the Etwell Concert Series in Huntsville. I was joined on stage with guitarist, Eddie Hess and we opened for Juno nominated Glenn Marias and the Mojo Train, a blues rock band known for their powerful and dynamic sound. Eddie and I were invited to play at PitStock Concert Series in Huntsville, being one of 9 acts to participate in the show. Eddie joined me on stage for my other 3rd Friday Coffee House performance in Burk’s Falls.

I have also had the privilege of performing on television for the 78th Lions Children’s Christmas Tele-a-thon in December 2024. You can watch the video on my Youtube channel Ireland Loeffen – YouTube ; as well as, on Country 90.5 and 106.3 Jet FM for the Annual Santa Fund North bay Radiothon.