FAIRMONT — From Canada to the United States, singer Marlee Scott has found her new home.

This made it even more surreal for her, as she took the stage at Palatine Park for the Fairmont Fourth of July Celebration on Wednesday evening. Next to the gorgeous riverfront, Scott belted out edgy tunes that were inspired by her audience. Being invited to perform in West Virginia for the first time, especially on this holiday, was special for her.

“I’ve heard (West Virginia) is so beautiful and I had a friend who is from there, and I’m really, really looking forward to playing the show,” Scott said prior to the show. “ Getting to see a new place and getting to play on the Fourth of July is going to be pretty fun. It’s kind of like, ‘Wow, I’m getting to do a show this year on the Fourth of July and what better place than West Virginia?’” 

Her high energy show, which was also accompanied by a performance from Rustic Highway as well as the Froggy/Texaco Country Showdown, included some covers of popular songs as well as music from her newly released album titled “Beautiful Maybe.” Compiling songs for the album was a work in progress for Scott, who was constantly on the road over the past couple years. But the final product makes it all worthwhile, as she made it a point to consider her audience while working away in the studio. Songwriters such as Desmond Child, Blair Daly, Marcus Hummon, and Troy Verges appear on the album, produced by award-winning Nashville producer David Kalmusky.

“I think that there is something everyone can take away from it and it was really important to me when recording it and finding songs for it,” she said. “If I hadn't written them, they touched me in some way or another and I also would feel they would touch listeners and my fans in one way or another. But I think that in the end was the inspiration.”

Interesting subject matter with a large amount of rock charge comprised her album, which she describes as edgy. Featuring a guest vocal from country legend Vince Gill, her newest single “Train Wreck” has been gaining momentum at both dance clubs and on radio stations. This bluegrass-tinged, Pop-Country track has become so popular that it is now available for purchase on iTunes and is now a music video as well.

Between countless hours spent in the studio and on the road, Scott has always remained positive and steadfast in her career. Years of diligence and dedication set the tone for her career, which initially cultivated a huge following in Canada.

Reigning from Alberta, Canada, she has always had a love and a desire to perform on stage. Starting at the age of six, she took singing and guitar lessons and also enrolled in drama classes throughout her school years. By the time she graduated high school, her destiny was clear. She was ready to pursue her dreams.

“I'm 26 now, so I’m just pursuing my dreams,” she said. “I've got really, really supportive parents and family and it's very important to have that as well, so I think it's always been in my blood to want to do this and pursue it.”

Around Canada, she performed in a number of fairs and festivals and garnered a lot of support. While becoming a household name there, Scott knew she would eventually have to make the move to Nashville, Tenn. if she wanted to advance her music career to the level she feels she is capable of reaching.

“Every year, I kind of look back and I say, ‘OK, how far have I gotten this year? What have I accomplished this year?’ I think that I still have so, so far to go.”

Now, every time she takes the stage now, she lets that passion explode like fireworks, continuously dancing and running around the stage during her shows.

“By the end of my shows, I think I’ve always lost like eight pounds because I am running around like a crazy person with my crazy dance moves,” she laughed. “It is exhausting, especially when it’s hot out.” 

Regardless of how exhausted she may have been following her show on Wednesday night, Scott is always anxious to get out and meet her fans.

“It's so important to me and I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't have that love for performing and that love of meeting people and that appreciation of people coming out to the shows and buying the CDs and spending their hard earned money,” she said. “It’s events like this that remind you that it’s that time of the year, and I can’t wait to meet everybody there.” 

For more information about Marlee Scott’s music, visit www.MarleeScott.com or check out her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MarleeScottMusic.

Email Nicole Lemal at nlemal@timeswv.com.