'Absolutely extraordinary': Saskatoon woman featured on Rod Stewart's new album
A Saskatoon woman, living in the U.K., can be heard on six tracks on Rod Stewart’s new album.
Melissa Veszi-Gawanas remembers getting a call last year from her choir director asking how fast she could get ready to sing with Stewart.
“I got changed faster than I’ve ever gotten changed in my life,” Veszi-Gawanas said, laughing.
Veszi-Gawanas, who goes by her stage name HunnyB, followed an address to what she thought was a recording studio — but when she arrived, she learned the studio was actually in Stewart’s home.
Stewart has a soccer pitch in his garden and a locker room he’s turned into a recording studio, according to Veszi-Gawanas.
“That was really something special because all of a sudden, all the pretentiousness goes away … he was so chilled, so welcoming and it was just like being in somebody’s living room making music,” the singer said.
“It was just absolutely extraordinary and unreal.”
She and the other members of the choir learned the songs on-the-spot, at Stewart’s house.
“We would run it three or four times and then we’d record it, and that was it,” Veszi-Gawanas told CTV News.
The highlight for Veszi-Gawanas was ad-libbing with Stewart on the track, “Some Kind of Wonderful.”
“I was just kind of improvising bits and pieces as it was going and (Stewart) was like, ‘I love that,’” Veszi-Gawanas said.
Veszi-Gawanas called the experience with Stewart “totally monumental.”
Harlano Weekes, the director of CK Gospel Choir, thanks the COVID-19 pandemic for the recording opportunity with Stewart.
Weekes said because of travel restrictions, Stewart’s album was recorded in the U.K. instead of Los Angeles.
“The producer was looking for a gospel choir. They would have normally used an L.A. gospel choir, but fortunately they came to the U.K.,” Weekes said.
“It was a bit of a last minute thing.”
Weekes said he’s hoping the choir can go on tour with Stewart.
“It’s fun. We’re very, very blessed to do what we do and very lucky to work with such great singers,” Weekes said.
Stewart’s album, The Tears of Hercules, was released on Nov. 12.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
U.S. vetoes widely supported resolution backing full UN membership for Palestine
The United States vetoed a widely backed UN resolution Thursday that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for Palestine, a goal the Palestinians have long sought and Israel has worked to prevent.