Kingsville man 'His Sinatra' nominated for best tribute artist at Nashville award show
A Kingsville man has been nominated for the title of Tribute Artist of the Year at the Josie Music Awards for his remarkable renditions of Frank Sinatra's iconic songs.
"I've always been attracted to really good ballads and very emotional pieces, songs that had very well-put-together lyrics where you could express yourself with a little bit of feeling. Sinatra did that very well," said Rick Stephenson.
As a performer, Stephenson goes by the stage name "His Sinatra."
Stephenson fell in love with big band music as a child, listening to his grandparent's records.
At just 15-years-old, he found himself leading a big band before completing his training at Toronto's Humber College under the mentorship of Order of Canada Recipient Ron Collier.
Stephenson graduated with honours in trombone performance.
"I started by playing drums in a polka band so I could eat. I transitioned into the Tommy-Dorsey trombone style and then the Frank Sinatra thing all melded together for me," he said. "I started singing and it went over very well. People were happy to hear the Sinatra-type style so I continued doing that. Lo and behold, it's been 40 years."
Stephenson believes that while he may not sound exactly like Sinatra, his approach, presentation and emotional connection to the songs are very similar.
"I try to be a part of that song. If I'm singing about somebody who's been heartbroken, I think about times when I was heartbroken and convey it much like an actor," he said.
The ninth annual Josie Music Awards, which aims to provide a platform for independent musicians to showcase their talent and gain recognition for their contributions to the music industry, takes place on October 22 in Nashville.
Stephenson is up against 14 other nominees in his category, including tribute artists for Kenny Rogers, Elvis Presley, and Aretha Franklin.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.
Auston Matthews skates ahead of Game 7, status unclear with season on the line
Auston Matthews was back on the ice with his teammates Saturday.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
Snakes almost on a plane: U.S. TSA discovers a bag with small snakes in passenger's pants
According to an X post by the Transportation Security Administration, officers at the Miami International Airport found the small bag of snakes hidden in a passenger's trousers on April 26 at a checkpoint.