Patricia Conroy is philosophical about her career in the country music business.
"This entertainment business can be really tough on people," says Conroy. "It can eat you alive if you let it. I've seen what it can do to people, so I've had to come to terms with some things," she says.
Like all Canadian artists, Conroy says she'd love to make it in the larger U.S. market. But she also has her feet firmly on the ground.
"I've had to realize that if the superstar thing doesn't happen to me, that's O.K. I can be content with just what I'm doing - making my living playing my music and having the respect of other artists and my fans. Of course if it happens I won't turn it down.
"But I really haven't had my shot in the states yet. But I've reached the point where I've had to come to terms with it. That was a big step for me."
Conroy's last album sold about 40,000 copies in the States which she admits isn't great.
"That's not a lot for that market but it wasn't highly promoted. But I did perform at quite a few places and get my name known. I spent a lot of years playing around Canada before I got my name known so maybe I'll have to do the same down south.
Conroy has been singing for most of her life. Born and raised in Montreal, with an Irish father, she sang Celtic music for eight years.
"I consider my early singing with my family and church as the time when I really got to know my voice" she says.
Now completing her fourth album, to be released in September, she's still upbeat. The first single on the album is done, called Mary on the Dashboard.
"The music is still basic country-rock," she says. "We haven't strayed too far from what I've done before because that's what I like to do. I really like to let loose and rock."
But this album will feature her singing more of her own material.
"The thing is you can't always ben waiting for something to happen to really enjoy things. And I really enjoy making music. Every year I get through I look back on and think "wow, another year of making my living as a singer, that's great."
Conroy started fronting her own band in Vancouver about 10 years ago. "And I've still got a lot of those same people with me," she says.
She's been big in Canada for about seven years.
"I don't think I could have done it without them because the travelling and performing can really burn you out. But we've got a family on the road and we look forward to seeing each other and that really helps."
Conroy says she's thrilled to be playing at the Big Valley festival in Camrose. "It's definately one of the best events in the country."
During her teenage years Conroy discovered the music of Emmylou Harris, one of her biggest inspirations.
"When I got into it, I was heavily influenced by Emmylou and groups like the Eagles - doing California country. Of course country music has changed a lot since then."
