Summer Rain takes first place at the Malone Fair

Congratulations to a very nice young lady who was the 1st place winner at the Franklin County Fair Talent Competition held in Malone on Thursday, August 11.  In front of a grandstand near full capacity, Summer Rain Herne was announced as the winner. Summer was born with a voice that is amazingly beautiful and she began to sing at the age of 8 with coaxing by her mom Josephine.  

“My mom has been my biggest influence and encouraged me to start singing Karaoke,” said Herne. “My brother Marlon Johnson has also supported me in so many ways.”

Herne said there is another member of her family who also possesses musical talent; Boy Herne is a Rapper and someone even came from Buffalo to see him sing.

That night at the fair there were 19 contestants in the competition. After the first round it dropped to 6 finalists with Herne still in the running.

“They are probably going to choose the tap dancer next to me,” said Herne of her thoughts while the winners were being called and her name wasn’t coming up. All of a sudden her name was announced as the overall winner and she said she felt like her heart stopped.  “Oh my God!” is what Herne remembered saying.  

Herne was given a monetary prize and she is another step closer to her dream.

That night Herne sang a song by an artist named Adele who she really enjoys listening to. Herne likes her singing style that is influenced by the Blues.  When she first began singing, Herne started off with songs by Patsy Cline and when people heard her sing, and they were all impressed by her talent.

Herne is 17 years old and will be in grade 11 at Salmon River Central starting this fall. Her music teacher is Mrs. Rubideau who has helped her very much and has worked with her through private lessons.  Herne also travels to Ottawa once a week to receive voice and singing lessons.  She has considered writing her own music and has started some lyrics on paper but hasn’t completed them yet.  

Herne has learned so much already from her instructors and performances along with learning more as she goes.  Herne is currently working on how to use her powerful vocals to change the cover songs into her own style. “Crazy” was a song that marks Herne’s unique bluesy style through her vocal changes. Summer also utilizes her knowledge of her MAC software to record herself as she plays the music without the vocal track and then experiments by singing in various keys to see what sounds best.

Herne’s experiences to date include traveling to Toronto where talent agents wanted to hear more of her talent and ways that she sings. Herne has yet to send the agents a demo, but she does know that she wants to pursue a singing career and she also enjoys photography.  Herne’s vocal talent has taken her to other events to sing, like to Ottawa and at the Williamstown Fair. At the Williamstown Fair is where Herne won her first award for singing her rendition of “Crazy”.  

“At times if I get sick and don’t feel I can sing at a performance, I get up there and do it anyway and I feel okay after that.” said Herne when asked if she has had any obstaclesor discouragement to overcome. She added that she enjoys playing sports at school and will be playing volleyball and that she has been a team member for swimming.

“She is pretty good and has a powerful voice,” said Herne of another artist that she admires, Christina Aguilera.”

Herne has a budding career as a very good singer at such a young age.  Congratulations on your success and rising career. There are videos of Herne’s performances that have been posted onto YouTube for anyone wishing to view this young star’s amazing talent. Just type in ‘Summer Rain Herne’ into the search browser to see some of her many performances.