By Dominique Wald
Juni Fisher grew up living by the motto “if you want something, you have to work for it.”
It still applies for the awarding-winning Western musician.
“It’s something my dad would always tell me,” Fisher said. “If we wanted to buy a new record, or if we wanted anything at all, he’d say, ‘If you want something, you have to work for it.’ ”
Fisher always kept music as a side project and never realized she could make a living performing until she attended a songwriter’s conference.
“I remember sitting there thinking, ‘Why can’t I do that?’ ” she said.
And she did.
After putting her life’s motto to work in the western music scene, Fisher is now returning to the Seeley Theatre in Pomeroy, Wash., where she performed last summer.
“It’s a beautiful theater,” she said. “It’s a treasure to have a theater like that in a town that is so supportive.”
The concert serves as a benefit for the theater, which is in the process of being upgraded. According to its website, the balcony is being restored and will be open in September for the theater’s centennial celebration.
Fisher’s talent is evident by the awards she’s won from the Western Music Association. In 2011, she was named Entertainer of the Year and in 2006, 2009 and 2011 she was named Female Performer of the Year. To add to an already impressive list, she has won multiple song, album and songwriter-of-the-year awards.
“Honestly, it’s all about the hard work and it’s something I’ve told myself since I started doing this,” Fisher said. “You can do this if you’re willing to do the work.”
Fisher said her latest album, “Listen,” was the most difficult she has completed. Fisher had to walk away from the horse business, which she was heavily involved with her entire life and the album tells the story of leaving, longing and loss.
“I had to find a place deep within my soul to write that album,” Fisher said. “But there are people who felt something with my music. I didn’t write the album for radio or for the awards, I did it for me and other people.”
If You Go What: Juni Fisher When: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday Where: The Seeley Theatre, 67 S. 7th Street, Pomeroy Cost: Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at Lewis & Clark Credit Union in Clarkston, Obenland & Low Agency, Umpqua Bank in Pomeroy or at the door. There are a limited number of VIP balcony tickets for $50, which includes a food-and-drink buffet along with a meet-and-greet.
