When young and in love, nothing is impossible. There are no hurdles or obstacles that can’t be overcome. But sometimes life throws a huge wrench into relationships, resulting in that dreamy, youthful optimism running headlong into reality. For Kamloops, BC-based country singer Anita Hamilton, that narrative is fabulously captured in the sharp, summer-driving single “Love In A Small Town.” The singer says the song’s inspiration came from her own story.
“Writing this song was in response to a traumatic event that happened during my first serious relationship,” Hamilton says. “I was head over heels in love with a college football player who experienced a severe sports injury, ending his football career. Taking months to recover, we worked hard to pay for his medical bills and adjust to the new future that lay in front of us. ‘Love In A Small Town’ is the story I told myself about how happily ever after can exist, even when it isn’t the future the young lovers envisioned for themselves. Sometimes homecoming queens trade up to a wedding gown, happily living out the rest of their lives, proud to remain in their hometown.”
“Love In A Small Town,” co-written by Hamilton and Jeff Johnson – who produced the song – speaks to lesser-known locales that teenagers or high school seniors often want to leave for bigger areas the first chance they get. But Hamilton says the single speaks to the “bumpy, imperfect, and beautiful” roadmap a girl has dreaming of her future. And instead of leaving for somewhere bigger, they end up staying in the town they were born and raised in.
Hamilton, who was born in Vancouver, has a heartfelt delivery throughout the vivid narrative, which describes small towns where everyone knows everyone and some people who thrive on gossip and rumors. “Love In A Small Town” has strong verses and a great chorus, which should instantly be a staple in concert, bringing to mind the likes of Meghan Patrick, Gretchen Wilson, and Alana Springsteen, among others. The single, which has all the traits of a great country single, without sounding formulaic or cliched, features Hamilton’s vocals, Ryan Stead on electric guitar and bass, Jeff Johnson on guitar, and mixing by Billy Decker.
Hamilton says she wrote the draft for the song in 2020 and recorded “Love In A Small Town” in 2023 in Coldstream, British Columbia. The song was also the first song she performed solo at shows as Hamilton was learning guitar when she was writing the track. “Knowing only a few chords at the time, we wrote with three chords and the truth, creating a song that practically anyone can play and relate to,” she says, adding the song is a “personal favorite.”
The singer also hopes “Love In A Small Town” celebrates those who, to quote John Mellencamp, were born, currently live, and will probably die in a small town. “There is a shortage of people planning to stay in small towns and work in blue collar careers,” she says. “Social media and pop culture glorify artificial realities and material things. Life is about more than designer brands and fancy cars; our society is built on the backs of hard-working Canadians.”
“Love In A Small Town,” the follow-up to “Before I Fall,” is the latest offering from Hamilton who has performed the national anthem at the West Coast League’s Kamloops NorthPaws baseball club and the BC Special Olympics. Hamilton, who has had millions of views on social media platforms like Tik Tok and Instagram, has performed in various venues in Vancouver and recently performed at Nashville’s legendary Bluebird Cafe.
Hamilton is also multi-talented having started an acting career when she was just 16. This is in addition to being a model, appearing in the British version of Vogue, an acclaimed figure skater, and owning a world championship cheer leading title. In short, Hamilton might live in a small town, but her talents go far beyond its town limits.
Now with the hot single “Love In A Small Town” and shows planned for 2025, Anita Hamilton should be known in small towns, big towns, big cities, and anywhere where great country music is adored and cherished.