Sara Hillis Needs your Votes!

Starting now, voting is open for the CNIB's national music contest called The I Factor. Sara Hillis has entered for a chance to open for Order of Canada member Terry Kelly at one of his concerts. Check out Sara's submission in the video gallery at this link, and cast your vote to support Sara as well as supporting the work of the CNIB, which provides services to Canadians who are blind and visually impaired, and conducts research on blindness prevention!

"It would be a great chance to support a worthy cause, and to have the opportunity of playing outside my comfort-zone," said Sara. "I could not pass this opportunity by."

So check out the contest at the above link, cast your vote and support the CNIB!

Mp3s Now Sold Directly!

At long last, mp3 versions of Sara's songs are now available via Payloadz.com, a PayPal merchandising site. Now, a majority of the money spent on a song, or on the complete album, will benefit Sara directly.

"This is a huge step forward," Sara said. "It is something I have been trying to do for a long time, and till now, I have never found a satisfactory way of making it happen. It is my hope that this will be the beginning of a revitalization of the business, which has suffered lately from lack of attention."

Of course, the music is still available in various online music stores such as iTunes for the convenience of the customer. So, to view the new online sales page, click here and enjoy!

First Live Performance of 2009 a Success!

Tonight, at The Brantford Open Stage, Sara performed a two-song set, both singing and playing her celtic harp, which included, in honour of Robby Burns Day (January 25), a rendition of the Burns song, "Ae Fond Kiss." Sara will perform there next on Friday, February 6.

Keep up with Sara's live performances here!

Music Submitted to Online Radio Station!

Tracks from Sara's debut album, The Laurel Tree, have been submitted to ACB Radio, an internet radio service heard around the world, and will be played on its stream called The ACB Radio Cafe, which is devoted to the promotion of musicians working in a wide range of styles and living in many different nations who are blind and visually impaired.

"This represents yet another step forward in the marketing process," Sara said. "I hope this new venue will serve to get the music out to more listeners."

The ACB Radio site is a service of the American Council Of The Blind, and has existed since 1999.

Stirring Performance at the Brantford Open Stage!

Sara once again took to the stage at the Brant Park Inn/Best Western Hotel, and this time, accompanied herself on keyboards. For this set, she began with Leonard Cohen's song "Joan Of Arc," and ended with her own setting of W. B. Yeats's poem "The Host Of The Air," the haunting melody of which garnered notice from several members of the audience.

"It was a fantastic night," she said, "filled with wonderful music and laughter.

For more information about the Brantford Open Stage, check them out here!

Sara Returns to the Brantford Open Stage After a Long Time Away!

Sara performed a two-song set tonight at the Brantford Open Stage, which takes place on alternate Friday evenings at the Brant Park Inn/Best Western Hotel in Brantford, Ontario. For the first time at this venue, Sara performed with only her voice and a microphone, choosing to sing two songs from Ireland. Beginning with the Thomas Moor piece, "Silent, O Moyle," her performance took a decidedly heroic tone as she continued the theme of the lost glories of Erin with her final song, "Down By The Glenside." These songs have both been sung by the accomplished Irish singer, harper and composer Mary O'Hara, and are both fine testimonies to Ireland's troubled history.

"It was great to be back here again," Sara said, "and I loved the performances of all the musicians. I hope this is the beginning of more regular attendance on my part."

For more information about the Brantford Open Stage, check them out here!

"The Laurel Tree" Live at iTunes!

Now, for the first time anywhere, all the songs on "The Laurel Tree" can be purchased in MP3 format from the iTunes online music store. This is the first time that this music has ever been sold, and represents a step forward in Sara's long journey. The music will also be available at Rhapsody, Amazon, and other stores. As other stores go live, you will be informed. So, all you iTunes users, go check out "The Laurel Tree" today and support this independant, Canadian artist!