Award-Winning Indigenous Roots/Country Artist Nelson Little Announces 50’s Rock-Inspired Single, “Just Make It Happen”
A three-time Manitoba Country Music Award winner who just brought home his most recent trophy this winter for “Best Roots Artist”, Nelson Little is a masterful storyteller, gripping vocalist, and a highly coveted dynamic performer.
With a guitar in hand, Little delivers inspiring music that merges Roots, Rock, and Country with a hint of Rock and Roll. The Aboriginal Peoples Choice Award winner has opened for Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Charlie Major, The Sheepdogs, and Fred Eaglesmith. His music has been featured across Canada, including on CTV Morning Live, SiriusXM, and the CBC Radio network, reaching #1 on the Indigenous Music Countdown, Canada’s largest-running Indigenous music chart program since 2000. Raised on Gospel music and influenced by Roots, Country, and Rock,
Little’s exceptional songwriting always involves encouragement and positivity delivered with upbeat grooves that almost demand dancing along to. Two years after releasing his single “High Road“, a song inspired by his son that urges listeners to keep their heads up, Little will be releasing “Just Make It Happen”, a high energy, Chuck Berry-inspired 50’s Rock song that is designed to inspire any listener of any age to take control of their destiny and go for their dreams.
“Just Make It Happen” was recorded at Winnipeg’s Exchange District Studios and was produced by Dave Wasyliw (Doc Walker), who also played rhythm guitar and performed background vocals on the track. Written by Nelson Little and Dave Rodgers, the song also features Murray Pulver (Crash Test Dummies), who played lead guitar on the track.
First off care to introduce yourself to our readers?
I’m Nelson Little, a Manitoba-based Singer and Songwriter. I have been writing my own songs since 2004. After being in a gun accident at the age of 13 and in a tragic car accident at 17, music became my place to go for healing. I recently won Roots Artist of The Year (Manitoba Country Music Awards 2023) and had a very busy 2023 season doing Live Performances with my band. I have resided in Portage La Prairie, MB since 2010.
Tell us a bit about your recent release.
My latest release is called “Just Make It Happen”. I co-wrote this song with Dave Rodgers and turned to Dave Wasyliw (Doc Walker) for production. The song was written over the span of 22 months and the idea behind the song is to uplift and send a message of absolute guarantee that if you want something/anything in life, you can get it. Remove all obstacles or excuses you may have and reach for the goal. You’ll get to the goal through perseverance and concrete choices. Just Make It Happen!
How do you typically go about the songwriting process? Do you have a specific method or creative routine that you follow?
My writing methods change for each song. I wrote lyrics in the shower once, and by the end of the shower, I had enough going on in my head that a melody was developing. I sat on the keyboard and had enough raw material to start and finish an earlier release of mine, “Whiskey Devil”. Another time, I recall crying all the way home from my sister and brother-in-laws farm. I knew I was in the process of an inevitable separation from my children’s mother and was begging God to “Keep Me Close” to home to watch my children grow. For this song, “Just Make It Happen”, my co-writer Dave and I drove every Sunday to numerous towns in Manitoba – hundreds of miles a week, creating lyrics and ideas to coach any listener to their next step, no matter who you are, or where you are at in life.
Looking ahead, what are your plans for supporting this new release? Are there any upcoming tours, music videos, or additional content that fans can look forward to in connection with this project?
I have quite a few shows coming up this year. I find since after the pandemic, bookings start a little later at the beginning of the year now. Performance opportunities always arise. I am also recording a music video for the new song which will be released early this summer. I have a website www.nelsonlittlemusic.com where I promote my music. You can find all my work on all streaming platforms as well as Canadian Country Radio.
Looking back on your musical career, is there a particular moment or accomplishment that you consider a turning point or a highlight?
A turning point in my career happened slowly over the past few years. I released 3 songs over 5 years and found that each song gained more popularity and interest as time went by. I won Emerging Artist and NCIFM Radio Artist of the Year Award for a song I released called “High Road”. The following year I was invited to perform at Dauphin’s Country Fest, Festival Du Voyager, and played on the Back Roads To Country Fest Manitoba Tour with Jason McCoy. This all set the stage for my latest release (Feb 14/24), “Just Make It Happen”.
Last but not least, it’s time to pay it forward, what upcoming band or artist would you recommend your fans check out?
Catie St. Germain comes from a musical family. Ray St. Germain led the large family band in many successful Live Performances all over the country, and internationally. I was an award presenter at the MCMA’s 2023 and Catie won the same award I won the prior year for Emerging Artist. She performed a song called “Try” at this year’s Festival Du Voyager in Winnipeg, MB …. I am hooked now!! Check her out!