Local singer Lexie Tytlandsvik performed at the Saskatchewan Country Music Association Awards' youth showcase event, and came away with many new contacts and more experience under her belt as she looks to the future.

The showcase was held as part of the music industry awards weekend in Prince Albert, and she performed on April 12, with a band arranged by former local resident and country music star Brad Johner.

"It was different from how I thought it would be," Lexie said, adding she thought her performance was well-received by those who heard her.

The 11-year-old daughter of Allan and Allison Tytlandsvik of Maxim, she attends Grade 6 at St. Olivier School in Radville.

When she was done her performance, a deejay with a Moose Jaw country station, Jim Strom of Country 100 FM, asked for her demo CD and did an interview with Lexie. Both the interview and her songs will be aired on this station on Sunday, May 4, at 8:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Strom indicated he will do another interview with Lexie and play her songs again within a couple of months.

Lexie has also taken part in the CKRM Big Country Talent Show in Regina, and was chosen as a finalist, and will be performing on Sunday, May 4 against 11 other finalists. After she did her performance for the show, Colin Lovequist asked for her demo CD as well.

Since the event in Prince Albert, Lexie has also performed at the banquet for the annual meeting for Weyburn Inland Terminal, and for the Lake Alma Rink fundraiser event held at Gladmar Regional School recently.

Prior to the awards show, she made a trip to Tisdale to practice with the band that had been arranged to be her backup, and while there she sat in on a practice session for an upcoming country star, Codie Prevost.

"He was quite amazed by her voice. He said he sat back and listened and could not believe this was an 11-year-old singing," said Lexie's mother Allison, noting he met up with Lexie at the awards ceremonies, as did some other singers, like Jody Faith, a country Gospel singer.

"She did amazing up there. The band was really good, and she got along with them well. The guitarist gave her some pointers and she had a guitar solo for one of her songs. It was an amazing weekend overall," said Allison, adding there is also a possibility of some tour dates with another singer later this year.