Local musician puts COVID-19 government grant towards new music

Photo: Ben Klick

A local country artist has used his government COVID-19 relief grant to create new music during the pandemic. 

BC Country Music Association and international award-winning recording artist, West Kelowna's Ben Klick, released “Wonder of the World” on Monday. 

Annually, Klick spends his winter in Nashville to focus on everything from guitar playing to vocals, songwriting and recording new music. During his 14-day mandated self-isolation, he recorded a light-hearted track called the 'Quarantine Blues'. He lost his 40-date Western Canadian Summer Tour, but decided to write and record a song using an all-Canadian line-up.

With the help of a grant he received from Creative BC and the Province of British Columbia, he did just that. 

“I’ve seen friends, fellow artists, and the music industry suffers from the pandemic. I was gifted with some money from Creative BC and the Province of British Columbia to help me out during this time, and I wanted to give back to the music community," states Klick.

"So, I contacted some friends in the industry and used the money given to me by the government to help support them."

The collaboration was done remotely as he self-produced and edited the project.

“Wonder of the World” puts a twist on a travelling song and gives listeners an insight into Klick’s new sound and new music to come. 

The music video showcasing each musician will be released on Aug. 17.