Von Riesen nominated for four MCMAs

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/09/2023 (623 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s a long drive down to Mexico from Steinbach, but the road has led to Amanda Von Riesen’s first Manitoba Country Music Award (MCMA) nominations as a solo artist for female artist of the year, album of the year, roots artist/duo or group of the year, and Fay Walker song of the year (songwriters).

That journey south helped Von Riesen navigate the separation of her parents when she was 16. Both her mother and father were huge influences on her musical interest while growing up on a farm just outside Steinbach. Her dad played guitar and a lot of classic country like Waylon Jennings, Hank Williams, and Merle Haggard. Her mom sang gospel, which Von Riesen picked up as she found her own voice.

Then it was time to hit the road on her own, starting with that first big road trip.

“I went on this journey during this difficult time of my life. I was 16 and I went down to Mexico with one of my friends. We drove all the way down, and we were literally in Amarillo (Texas) by morning,” said Von Riesen.

They stayed in Amarillo for two weeks before continuing on to Mexico.

“I was gone for about two months all together. It was just finding myself and healing. It was my own therapy. And I think it’s how I’ve always done things; I travel and I use new experiences and travelling as part of the healing process of anything that could be stressful in life,” said Von Riesen.

A music career and family of her own followed. Von Riesen helped form the group Poets and Lies as lead singer in 2016. They picked up a truckload of MCMA nominations including group, album, and (songwriters) song of the year.

Bringing her roots of music playing in the background while helping with the chickens or in her dad’s auto repair shop, and combining that with the travel and experience that now has her rooted in Nashville has produced Von Riesen’s first solo album A Drinking Woman’s Words. The album is described as an 11-song collection of gritty, honest stories with contemplation and reflection.

Von Riesen said she loves her band, but there is something different about being recognized as a solo artist.

“This is kind of a little bit of a dream come true because just as a singer songwriter and basically writing my songs by myself, it’s kind of rewarding. It’s feeling like I did something on my own,” explained Von Riesen.

She emphasized there was help from her producer Joe Reed, and some cowriting on some singles, but she did feel this was her album.

As is often the case in country music, tough times again brought inspiration. And for Von Riesen, there was another trip to Mexico.

“It was during COVID. I had a house in Canada, and it felt like these songs just came to me. It’s this weird creation thing,” started Von Riesen, who is also a painter who has been featured in New York.

“I was sitting on my back porch for a lot of them, and just hanging out by myself. And it was really weird because I think everyone was feeling a little strange.

“And I also went to Mexico during this time when I was writing this album, and did a huge painting there. And my father passed away, so it was a lot of emotions, a lot of weird feelings.

“And me not being young anymore, it was kind of a reflection of other people’s stories as well. And collaborating with listening to what other people were going through,” said Von Riesen.

One of the songs was cowritten with fellow MCMA nominee Quinton Blair a few years ago, but Von Riesen felt it fit with the feel of the album.

“Every song is like a story,” explained Von Riesen.

She plans on being here during the awards show in Winnipeg Nov. 4.

“Hopefully I can pick up some awards, one or four,” laughed Von Riesen.

She will also be here in the New Year, a break from the constant live music, writing new songs, and working on her 10-piece art collection of cubist paintings she is creating at the same time in Tennessee.

“I’m feeling a little overwhelmed right now,” admitted Von Riesen.

“I want to do so many things.”

She thanked her family support for giving her the feeling that she can go live her dreams.

When considering the move to Nashville a year-and-a-half ago, Von Riesen was worried about being so far from her son Mackenzie and daughter Kari. They have successfully entered adulthood and are now in their early 20s. They insisted mom go live her art in Nashville, and do not mind visiting her and catching a Jets game in Music City.

“My kids are my world and if they’re happy, then I am,” said Von Riesen.

She encouraged country fans to get tickets on sale now at ticketmaster for the Nov. 4 Manitoba Country Music Awards show hosted by Aaron Pritchett at Club Regent Event Centre.