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Richmond singer hits top 10 in country music chart

Hugh Boyd grad's song gains traction online in the Richmond region
Alyssa Hodgson
Richmond resident Alyssa Hodgson's song titled "Ocean Blue" hit ReverbNation's top 10 in the country music chart for the Richmond region.

Even though she woke up on the wrong side of the bed in the morning, seeing that one email made her day, if not her week.

Alyssa Hodgson said she woke up to an email announcing her song “Ocean Blue” had made it to the top 10 country music chart in the Richmond, B.C. region.

The email, which came from ReverbNation — an online platform that helps artists gain traction in the music industry — was something Hodgson said she won’t forget for a long time.

“That’s one way of waking up in the morning,” said Hodgson. “I was shocked and it was a total surprise to me since I’m not actively pushing out my music.”

Hodgson, 27, has been writing music since she was eight, inspired by her mom, a singer, and her dad, a drummer.

She said growing up, her home never lacked music, and being able to see her dad perform at his gigs really jump-started her journey.

“When I started writing when I was eight years old, it felt great to put my thoughts and feelings into something physical — it was therapeutic in a way.”

The Hugh Boyd grad produces her songs at home with occasional help from her dad and friends. She said she uses her dad’s microphone that he passed down to her, which is “his way of supporting my dream and career in music.”

Hodgson said  she hopes her music can help remind people that there’s “always a light at the end of the tunnel. It looks far, but it’s definitely close.”

When Hodgson isn’t involved in making music, she spends time painting or with her new rescue dog.