In the Country with Dave Woods:
Bethany Bysma

This month, my guest is Bethany Bysma from Hamilton, Ontario.

Great to chat with you, Bethany! Tell us about your latest single, “Red Eye Lovin’.”
Thank you for having me! I’m honoured. We released Red Eye Lovin’ just this past August, and it’s about the bittersweet reality of long-distance love: the anticipation of reunions, the heartbreak of goodbyes, calculating time zones, and choosing to make it work despite the practical challenges.

I love the imagery of a red-eye flight. You sacrifice comfort, lose sleep, and deal with a little inconvenience, but the destination makes it worthwhile. Long-distance love is much the same. There are sacrifices along the way, but when the destination is your person, it’s all worth it.

Who are the artists who have inspired & influenced you over the years?
Love this question! I grew up with ‘90s country playing through our house. I can still hear my mom singing along to “Strawberry Wine” in our kitchen. I love Garth Brooks with my whole heart. I saw him in 2016, and it’s still the best concert I’ve ever attended. He has such a captivating presence and can make every person in a sold-out stadium feel like the show is just for them. I feel the same way when I listen to his records. I think the sensitive artist in me is drawn to his passion and sincerity. That era of country music is also incredibly nostalgic and comforting for me. I still cry every time I hear his voice on the radio – it doesn’t happen often – but when it does, I crank it, sing along and know it’s going to be a good day.

More recently, I’ve been listening to Noah Gundersen and Maggie Rogers. They aren’t country artists, but they’re incredible songwriters. I’ve been lucky enough to see them both perform live, and I’m overcome with emotion every time. While everyone around me is dancing along, I’m usually standing with my hands in my pockets, completely absorbed in the vocals, performance, and artistry. Their work inspires me to write thoughtfully and bring that same level of engagement and stamina to my own performances.

What have you learned about songwriting since you started writing?
That you’ll learn the rules but can break them anyway. We’re taught the standard song structure, but some of my favourite tunes ignore this completely. I’ve learned that the human brain searches for patterns, and familiar structures can make songs easier to learn and sing along to, but sometimes a story needs to be told outside that pattern. Songs don’t have to rhyme either. If the story or emotion resonates, listeners will follow along.

I’ve also discovered how therapeutic songwriting can be. Life can knock you down, and writing about the big things helps break them into smaller, more digestible pieces. I tend to be an open book in a writing session. We’re about to become real close friends in a short amount of time; I’ll share just about anything if it serves the song.

Co-writing has taught me a lot. I love having other minds in the room to help sift through thoughts and ideas. I initially thought co-writing would come with a lot of pressure. I worried about wasting someone else’s time if we didn’t finish a song in one session, but other writers have been so kind and understanding. That freedom to explore ideas together is one of my favourite parts of songwriting.

So far in your music career, what are you most proud of? It could be one moment, one show or a challenge you faced.
In 2022, I developed vocal nodes, and I was terrified. You hear all the horror stories, so I assumed surgery was inevitable and worried my voice would never be the same. My vocal coach, Kristen Ruiz, was incredibly encouraging and taught me restorative vocal techniques that helped me avoid surgery. I came out of that experience healed with a better understanding of my voice and how to care for it. I’m grateful to her and proud of how I worked through that challenge, which ultimately allowed me to keep pursuing music.

I’m also proud to finally have music out in the world, and I owe a huge thank-you to Brian Melo for helping me get there. I was blown away by the turnout at my debut single release party for “Rope.” The room was full of so much love and support; it was overwhelming in the most heartwarming way.

Tell us about your time competing in the Karaoke World Championships.
The Karaoke World Championships (KWC) is the world’s largest amateur singing competition, but surprisingly, not many people know about it. It’s where I cut my teeth as a performer, exploring different genres and styles while expanding my vocal range.

I’m incredibly grateful for the KWC community. It’s given me lifelong friends and even introduced me to my long-distance love! My favourite part is attending Nationals in Calgary, Alberta. It feels like summer camp, bringing together friends from across the country to cheer each other on. Yes, it’s a competition, but everyone’s there because they love singing; they love the music. The atmosphere is very supportive and kind; it’s a great hang.

In 2023, I had the opportunity to represent Canada in the duets category at KWC Worlds in Panama City. Now I’m on the other side of the table, judging at the provincial and national levels. This year, I was invited to judge the World Finals virtually, held in Las Vegas. It was a very cool experience and a first for me!

If you could duet with any artist in a genre other than country, who would it be and why?
What a tough question! My “don’t overthink it” answer is Kelly Clarkson. Her versatility and vocal technique are unmatched; I know I could learn a lot from her. She seems so kind, warm and welcoming; I love her energy. I think we’d vibe well together and laugh a lot.

What is on your bucket list for your music career in the next year?
I’d love to play a show in Nashville and perform on some legendary stages in Toronto. I’m already lined up to play the Rivoli and the El Mocambo early next year! Looking forward to it! I’m also hoping to release an EP and get it circulating on Canadian Radio.