Country artist Jeff Orson’s COVID-19 relief single is beautiful stuff
With more than 24,000 views and counting, Oakville, ON-based contemporary country singer-songwriter Jeff Orson is connecting fans around the world with his new single “Pray,” while also raising funds for COVID-19 relief.
“I received an email from the editor-in-chief of a popular travel e-zine, The Moodie Davitt Report,” Jeff recalled, when describing the origins of “Pray.” “Martin Moodie asked me to compose an anthem for the hard-hit travel industry in Europe and other parts of the world.
“I went away with the idea and really thought about it… I really started to take in what the scope of the virus was and the impact it was having on the world.
“It really struck me how — even beyond the travel industry — the song could serve as a way of reaching out to people feeling isolated and uncertain.
“From there, I wrote ‘Pray’ in a few days,” he continued. “Martin’s idea was to hold a remarkable fundraiser and share the song with the world to raise money for the UNICEF COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund.”
“The response was immediate and overwhelmingly positive,” He said. “‘Pray’ seemed to strike a chord so any proceeds from downloads via Bandcamp will continue to go to the fund until the end of the year.”
Born in Niagara Falls, and now a resident of Oakville, Jeff’s introduction to the guitar was by way of a Christmas gift at the age of six. Thought he took some lessons from his cousin and played sporadically, it was an extended hospital stay battling colon cancer that saw him looking to music as an outlet.
“After getting over the initial shock, I turned to writing music for solace,” he said. “A hospital custodian heard me playing from bed during my recovery and urged me to take my music to the world.
“Before I knew it, one tune seemed to lead to another, and I had a catalogue of over 100 songs!”
Clean bill of health in hand, Jeff took his story public with features in the Toronto Star and on CTV and CBC. He helped amplify the Canadian Cancer Society’s annual drive to raise awareness for screening and early detection of the disease.
He also, soon after that, took to Nashville, further solidifying his music’s now-signature style of relatable, heartfelt lyrics inspired by real-life experiences.
Ever since his breakthrough debut EP, California, Jeff has produced a series of chart-climbers, including “Won’t Let Me Let Go,” “Country Kids,” and “Little White House.” He’s headlined the Horseshoe Tavern and played Burlington’s Sound of Music Festival. He’s also toured to Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, Singapore, France, Sweden, Ireland, England, Scotland, Mexico, and the U.S. — Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, New York City, Miami, and Honolulu to be precise.
“Pray” is available now.
