Newspaper Article In The "Lacombe Globe"
Lacombe singer releases third gospel CD of hope
DECEMBER 18, 2007

Using Her Loss To Help Others
by LISA JOY

Karen Ritchey’s third CD, “Going Home” was released last Friday. Copies are availabe at the ABC Store on College Avenue at Canadian University College in Lacombe, as well as locations in Red Deer, Calgary and Edmonton.

Music has the ability to soothe a shattered soul. Perhaps no one knows it better than Karen Ritchey, whose third gospel CD, “Going Home” was released last Friday.

Karen’s inspiration came from a dark place of deep suffering. In 1988 she, and her husband Landon’s, first child, Kyle, was stillborn. The loss silenced the song in her heart, she said. But in time, as she began to heal, she discovered certain songs brought much needed comfort to her soul. “Songs of hope helped me to find joy again, as did the subsequent births of our other three children,” she said. “That’s what developed my whole music ministry,” said the stay at home mom. “It’s that or be bitter.” Karen’s first CD, “I’ll Meet You in the Morning,” was released 10 years later. Her second CD, “Because He Promised (Kyle’s song)” followed in 2002.

Karen grew up listening to–and was influenced by–musicians Karen Carpenter and Anne Murray. She appreciates southern gospel, instrumental, quartet music, and Kenny G. “I like some country music when they have happy endings, which is rare,” she added. Karen, and her husband and children, moved to Lacombe from Kelowna seven years ago when Landon became the marketing manager here at Canadian University College. Sharing her music ministry of hope, Karen has sent out thousands of complimentary CDs and cassettes, along with letters of encouragement and comfort to many who were grieving. “It has been my unique privilege to share in the private pain of many families who have lost loved ones,” she said. She once sent a CD to the parents who lost their 18-year-old son in the Swissair Flight 111 tragedy. In turn, the parents then sent out copies of Karen’s CDs to other people who lost loved ones. “It ripples,” said Karen. “You can have the bitterness and a lost ripple, or you can turn it around. “It took a long time before I could sing,” she added. “When you don’t have that hope within you it’s hard to sing it for anyone. It’s been a journey. I’ve tried to make a difference somehow. It’s just one person, but it’s something.”

-editor@lacombeglobe.com