Kelita Haverland

There are many entertainers for whom the term “multi-talented” applies but just a select few who take that description to a stratospheric new level. That would be Kelita.

She wrote her first song at 11. Invented her first comedic character at 12. Started performing professionally at 14. By 22, with a university degree in hand, she was starring in Toronto musical theatre. And by 30, after taking the country music world by storm with her shocking pink hair and plucky persona, she had several Juno nominations and a few Canadian Country Music Awards to her credit. All while completely changing the way we look at female country singers (before there was a k.d. lang or a Shania Twain).

But the staggering toll of a tragically secret life, complete with suicide, incest, emotional abuse, drug addiction, adultery, hidden homosexuality and betrayal, compelled Kelita to seek out new and more fulfilling avenues of expression. This new Kelita, along with her second husband, musician/producer/arranger Gord Lemon, tapped into her pain, her vulnerability, her harrowing life and her renewed alliance with a higher power. Her music took on a spiritual bent and she lent her voice to humanitarian efforts and social justice, especially for children. As a trained life and healing coach and passionate keynote speaker, Kelita has since shared her true story through music, comedy and heartfelt talk.

It is all documented in her new, no-holds-barred memoir, Reason to Sing (An Inspiring Journey
Overcoming Trauma, Abuse and Betrayal). Twenty years in the making, this astonishing opus
chronicles an unbelievable life, as each new chapter unveils more drama than most fiction
authors would dare to invent. And yet it is all true. The accompanying 19-song CD brings this
book to musical life, with the author's own voice, words and music beautifully augmenting her
extraordinary journey.