About the Artist
I’m Joanna Bronson, a country singer-songwriter from Peterborough, Ontario. My music is rooted in honest storytelling, melodic lyricism, and the people and places that have shaped my life. I write about love, loss, friendship, and family, drawing inspiration from my own experiences as well as the stories, moments, and pieces of other people’s lives that I’ve gathered along the way. My sound sits at the intersection of country and roots music, with an emphasis on heartfelt lyrics, memorable melodies, and songs that feel personal and familiar. I want my music to make people feel something, whether they hear a story that reminds them of their own lives or discover a place through one of my songs. A major milestone in my journey has been releasing my debut album, Highway 28, recorded with acclaimed musician and producer JP Cormier. Making this record helped me grow as a songwriter and artist, giving me the opportunity to bring my stories to life in a way that felt true not only to who I am, but to what these songs could become beyond their beginnings in my room, written alone with just my guitar. The album explores memory, growth, and the places that have shaped me. The title track has become an important part of my journey, reaching number one on the Petrock Radio New Music Top 40 for three consecutive weeks and winning the inaugural Country Song of the Year award at the Petrock Radio New Music Awards. This past summer marked one of the biggest periods of growth in my career so far. I performed on the Future Sound Series stage at Peterborough Musicfest ahead of Tyler Joe Miller, and also played Peterborough Folk Fest and Gussapalooza. Each opportunity helped me grow in confidence as a live performer and connect with more people through my original music. One of the highlights of my year was touring in September with the Solo Artist Trio alongside award-winning musicians Jake Lauzon and Alanna Jenish. Over ten days, we took our original music from Peterborough through Northern Ontario and across the Prairies to Winnipeg and Saskatoon. We played venues including the historic Knox Hall in Sudbury and The Basement in Saskatoon. Getting out on the road, performing for new audiences, and sharing the experience with musicians I admire was an important step forward for me. It reinforced how much I want to keep touring, reaching new listeners, and growing beyond my home region. My connection to home continues to influence what I write. I’m performing my original song “Norwood” at the Norwood Fair, an opportunity to share a song inspired by a place and community close to me. I’ve also shared my music through CBC Radio’s Ontario Morning, YourTV’s The Skinny and Making Music, and coverage in the Peterborough Examiner. My songs have received independent radio play across Canada and the United States, and my music has surpassed 16,000 streams on Spotify. Right now, I’m looking forward to getting back into songwriting and exploring what comes next. I have early ideas for two possible projects: one with a bluegrass influence and another rooted in Canadian country music. Both are still in the early stages, but I’m excited to experiment, develop new songs, and discover where these ideas take me. With a lineup of winter performances ahead, I hope to build on the momentum of this past year and get back out on the road soon. I’m proud of how far I’ve come as an independent artist, but I feel like I’m only beginning to discover what I’m capable of. I want to keep growing as a songwriter, push myself creatively, and bring my music to new stages and audiences. For me, country music has always been about stories, connection, and the feeling that everyone belongs. That’s what I hope to bring to every song I write and every performance I give.
