Billy the Kid is coming to town next week

NEWS RELEASE

ROTARYFEST

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Billy the Kid on Tenaris Second Stage

SAULT STE. MARIE, ON - As part of RotaryFest, the Sault’s Summer Festival!, the Tenaris Second Stage introduces an unbelievable lineup, including Billy the Kid.

Starting at 5 p.m. on Saturday July 17, Billy the Kid will showcase her refined craftsmanship, bold musical talent, extraordinary songs and overt beauty that makes this Vancouver, B.C. singer/songwriter a phenomenon.

Those who say what doesn’t kill us only makes us stronger are right, at least in Billy Pettinger’s case.

“Life tends to give us what we want, but never how we expect it,” says Pettinger.

Life wasn’t always easy for this singer/songwriter.

At the age of eight, Pettinger’s parents put her into piano lessons, and at first she admits she hated it.

Despite an unpleasant introduction to music compounded with her difficult early life as a foster child who left home at 12, creativity quickly took over.

Music has always been part of Pettinger’s life.

When she was 12, four years after her parents put her in piano lessons she picked up guitar and instantly began creating her own music.

At the age of 14, she began to play in bands and eventually ended up behind a drum set.

Further down the road she taught herself harmonica while driving around in her 15-passenger van (the "lost" Bus).

At 18 Pettinger got together with a group of friends and started calling themselves Billy the Kid and the Lost Boys.

It was a name that seemed to convey the spirit of the project.

Little did they know that the term "Lost" would consume not only their vocabulary but also their way of life.

Today Billy the Kid is consumed in Lost Records, the label she started to put out her second album that now houses nine acts and 12 releases and operates as a collective of friends running under the motto "Kids in Bands Helping Kids in Bands."

There’s the Lostice, or Lost Office, where she has spent years booking not only her own projects but any friend who needed a helping hand, as well as promoting new musical endeavors and preaching the gospel of the Lost Cause.

There’s the Lost Bus, which has taken her a great number of miles, and there’s the Lost Youth Music Society.

Once she began embracing her path it dawned on her that perhaps to be a so-called "Lost Cause" wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Pettinger began meeting kids across the country who felt the same way she did . . . they believed that they could find their own way and change the definition of "lost".

With the help of some exceptional people, Pettinger began to realize it was now her turn to give back.

Billy the Kid has now started a charity that is going to Give Back, using the power of music to inspire and enhance the lives of kids who might not be as fortunate as others.

With the help of donations, music lessons, instruments an a scholarship program these kids will be able to find their Lost Cause, which help them to find their own way.

Be sure not to miss out on any of the sights and sounds on the Tenaris Second Stage July 16 and 17 on Queen Street. in front of the Grand Theatre.

RotaryFest

Rotaryfest, the Sault’s Summer Festival, is one of our community’s most cherished annual traditions.

This year the festivities run from July 15 -17 centered in Clergue Park.

The festival presents a number of exciting events including The Stage in conjunction with the Arts Council of Sault Ste. Marie & District and sponsored in part bymthe Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation which features three days of free musical entertainment, the Tenaris Second Stage - a celebration of original art and music, and the the Tenaris Queens Walk Art Exhibit.

You won’t be able to miss the glint of steel and hot wheels featured in Wheels on the Water Car Show presented by Royal Tire and Napa Auto Parts, the hands-on fun of the Essar Steel Algoma PlayZone, the inflatables operated by the SSM Steelworkers Community Services Committee, the face-painting sponsored by Merchants of Station Mall, and the amusing and amazing at Cirque du RotaryFest sponsored by Community First Credit Union and Canadian Heritage.

Plus, we have added some new events including RC Race Cars presented by the Sault RC Car Club and Dynamic Funds.

Be sure to stop by the Rotary Food Court sponsored by Scotiabank and indulge in some mouthwatering summer treats.

And don’t forget the 88th annual Rotary Community Day Parade presented by Brookfield Renewable Power this year you can even join in the fun by participating in the Rotary Miracle Mile presented by RBC Royal Bank and run/walk/wheel down Queen Street before the parade.

This year we will be continuing with the RotaryFest Reduce Garbage Initiative partially funded by TD Friends of the Environment Foundation.

For the complete RotaryFest schedule and to learn about all the fun events go to this website.

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