Vibrant, energetic and dynamic are words that have been used to describe Paige Rutledge. Growing up in a town outside of Toronto called Oakville, Paige was raised on country music. As a young child, Paige grew up listening to female powerhouses Shania Twain, Dolly Parton, and Carrie Underwood pretending to be them in the car and basement concerts. When Paige was 9, her grandfather who was her biggest influence, passed away and Paige sang at the funeral. It was in that moment Paige recognized that music can connect people and knew she wanted to make music for the rest of her life.

 

Paige began playing at local restaurants and any venue that would take her. “I remember my parents would have to come with me to all of the bar gigs because I was way too young to be in a bar by myself on the nights I would play” recalls Paige. Some of Paige’s performance highlights include main stage at Toronto Ribfest and Muskoka Ribfest, emerging artist showcase winner at Canada’s Largest Ribfest in Burlington, top 20 at Magna’s Hoedown Showdown, showcases in collaboration with the CMAO, Winterfolk Music Festival, Hillside Inside Festival, and the preliminary winner at The Next Country Music Star in partnership with The Havelock Country Jamboree (semi-finals postponed due to pandemic). 

 

As a songwriter, Paige values the authenticity in country music and writes music that everyone can find a version of their truth in. “I want my songs to be relatable to my listeners and have everyone find a piece of them in it” says Paige. Releasing her first single at 16, Paige has learnt a lot along the way and has used this past year to really solidify her artistry. “Now that I am in my 20’s and know what I want out of life, I feel much more confident as a person and artists and know what my songs need to say” says Paige. With her recent releases, Take Me Back to Tiki (October 2020) and Broken Record (May 2021) serving as strong representations of Paige, she is ready to come out swinging with her upcoming releases. With her streams making their way into the thousands, Paige is ready for her listeners to hear a new side of her, “adding a little more Shania to my sound, being a whole lot sassier, and being way more honest to who I am. I want my songs to say what every 20-year old girl needs to say in the most confident way” says Paige. 

 

Paige is only just getting started and is eager to continue growing as an artist, and what the future has in store.