ST. JOHN’S, NL — For Justin Fancy, it took a while to break into the mainstream as a musical artist, but the wait seems to be paying off.
A veteran performer of covers on the George Street circuit for many years, he was simultaneously pushing himself privately as a songwriter. It wasn’t until the fall of 2020 that he finally shared his knack for creating modern country songs with a wider audience, releasing his debut album “Sure Beats a Good Time.”
“I had been writing for a very long time. I really didn’t have enough confidence in myself to be able to release something like an album,” he told SaltWire Network last year. ” I tried several times. The pieces just didn’t fall into place for me, and I thought I had something, but it wasn’t really strong enough until now.
Nominated last year at the East Coast Music Awards for Inspirational Album of the Year, it’s up for three more awards again at the 2022 Atlantic Canada Annual Musical Talent Showcase. His three nominations—Solo Recording of the Year, Country Recording of the Year, and Fan Artist of the Year—bring him close to Quote the Raven and Kelly McMichael for the most nominations among Newfoundland artists. -and-Labrador.
After a virtual event in 2021, the East Coast Music Awards are set to return as a live music showcase May 4-8 in Fredericton, New Brunswick.
Fancy worked on her debut album remotely with Clint Curtis, a Springdale-based producer who co-owns studio Sevenview Studios.
“His vocal delivery, his tone and his voice, the way he communicates the song — it’s instant,” Curtis told SaltWire Network in an interview last year.
Together, the two managed to replicate a modern Nashville sound that would suit almost any current country station playing today’s hits.
“From what I’m hearing from music directors across the country, it’s one of the best Nashville country tunes they’ve heard here in Atlantic Canada,” Fancy told SaltWire Network in 2021.
1. What is your full name?
Justin Fancy.
2. Where were you born?
St. John’s.
3. Where do you live today?
South Conception Bay.
4. Who do you follow on social media?
Anything related to country music! I love watching the industry grow and watching emerging artists take their breaks. Some major accounts I follow are @brettkissel, @lukecombs, @morganwallen and @floridageorgialine.
5. What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I am a computer scientist by trade and work from home for a living, currently serving businesses across Canada. I love my day job and it’s a skill set that I also developed at a young age.
6. What was your favorite year and why?
Pandemic aside, 2021 has definitely been my favorite year. As an artist I grew, as a songwriter I grew, and I was also recognized for the work I was doing as an artist. I won two MusicNL awards and was nominated for my first ECMA, had my first country radio billboard hit, and a lot of things have fallen into place for me musically in 2021 – in addition to touring, of course.
7. What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done?
The decision to return to school after returning from “Canadian Idol” in 2008. I had left school and did not complete my program after attending “Canadian Idol” and spent most of three-year-old playing late at night trying to keep the bills from piling up. My parents were always supportive of my music, but my dad was very keen on getting an education and worrying about a music career once I had something to fall back on if needed. It turned out to be the best decision I’ve made in my life, even though I didn’t agree with her at the time. Since then, despite being a little late to the party, I have been able to maintain a very successful computer career and also a music career while balancing myself financially along the way.
8. Can you describe an experience that changed your life?
“Canadian Idol” in 2008, of course. Before that, I had never performed on stage or had my performances judged by industry professionals. So it was a big step to believe in a lasting career in music. Even though I was very young, I ranked in the top 200 in Canada and developed many relationships with candidates and people in the industry who I still talk to today who proved to be very valuable to me and my career. It’s through “Canadian Idol” that I’ve gained all my live performance experience over the years playing on George Street and at festivals around the province every year.
9. What is your greatest indulgence?
Golf. It’s the number 1 thing I like to do. I have been a member of the historic Bally Haly Country Club for several years. I love the social game of golf, and I also love the challenge of the game.
10. What is your favorite movie or book?
Film – “Alone at home”.
11. What do you like to listen to?
I listen to all types of music, but grew up listening to a lot of classic country like Merle Haggard, George Jones, Johnny Cash, Walyon Jennings and Charlie Pride. Today I listen to a lot of modern country, because I like to listen and be comfortable with what’s on the radio today. If I had to relax and listen to something for myself, it would be either Ryan Adams or Jackson Browne. I’m a huge fan of singer-songwriter type artists who really show emotion and brutality in their music.
12. How do you like to relax?
Golf or boating. I like to go boating on Conception Bay in the summer, and that’s my time to relax. Golf also puts me in a place that takes me away from the world and allows me to socialize with my friends.
13. What are you reading or watching at the moment?
Believe it or not, CBC News Network. I look forward and pray that the conflict in Ukraine will end soon.
14. What is your biggest fear?
Heights! I don’t like heights. I also don’t like roller coasters or extreme rides.
15. How would you describe your personal clothing style?
Excellent question. I’ll say I’m a typical “Dad Bod” type. Jeans, T-shirt and hat. Nothing special, that’s for sure.
16. What is your most prized possession?
My daughter. … There is nothing in this world that is more important to me.
17. What physical or personality trait are you most grateful to a parent for?
My mother always taught me to be nice to people no matter what, and I think that has helped and hindered me over the years.
I think that’s something she always instilled in us and I’m very grateful to her for that. The world we live in today can really be a negative place and we never know what people are going through, so it’s always nice to be kind and understanding no matter the situation.
18. What do you think is your best quality and what is your worst quality?
The best quality would definitely be my motivation and motivation. … Nothing stops me once I start something I believe in. I’ve always been a firm believer in trying hard to get a comeback, and I’ve been able to do that quite well over the years and recently with my country music career. My worst quality is definitely patience or lack thereof. I’m a guy who likes to know the plan ahead of time, the guy who always asks questions, and I think that causes me a lot of unnecessary stress and anxiety.
19. What is your biggest regret?
I don’t really have any regrets at this point in my life. I believe that everything happens for a reason, either good or bad. You need to face what life has in store for you in the best possible way and trust that it’s all part of the plan. This is how I live life.
20. Which three people would join you for the dinner party of your dreams?
Depends on the type of dinner, but I would take my mum and dad and have to choose between one of the brothers I guess!
