Tara Oram (born April 28, 1984) is a Canadian

country music Country (also called country and western) is a popular music, music genre originating in the southern regions of the United States, both the American South and American southwest, the Southwest. First produced in the 1920s, country music is p ...

recording artist and TV personality. She was a top six finalist on the fifth season of ''

Canadian Idol ''Canadian Idol'' is a Canadian reality television competition show which aired on CTV, based on the British show '' Pop Idol''. The show was a competition to find the most talented young singer in Canada, and was hosted by Ben Mulroney. Jon Do ...

'' in 2007. In 2009, Oram received the "Rising Star" Canadian Country Music Award and was nominated for a

Juno Award The Juno Awards (stylized as JUNOS), or simply known as the Junos, are awards presented by Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences to recognize outstanding achievements in Canada's mu ...

, for Country Album of the Year, for her debut album ''Chasing the Sun''.

Early life

Oram was born in Hare Bay,

Newfoundland Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada, in the country's Atlantic region. The province comprises the island of Newfoundland and the continental region of Labrador, having a total size of . As of 2025 the population ...

but moved frequently during her early years. Oram first moved to the Malton area of

Mississauga, Ontario Mississauga is a Canadian city in the province of Ontario. Situated on the north-western shore of Lake Ontario in the Regional Municipality of Peel, it borders Toronto (Etobicoke) to the east, Brampton to the north, Milton to the northwest, ...

when she was 10 years old, and later to

Brampton Brampton is a city in the Canadian Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Ontario, and the regional seat of the Regional Municipality of Peel. It is part of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and is a List of municipalities in Ontario#L ...

, where she attended Bramalea Secondary School.

Career

At age 16 Oram was signed to indie label Wellcraft Music Group and released her first country music single called, "More Than I Dreamed" which was her first top 50 hit. She later toured with a local agency called Performerz, which allowed her to sing in theatres, malls and festivals throughout Ontario. When 19 Oram joined her first real band, Big Catch. The band played the bar/club circuit and corporate events around Ontario for the better part of four years, performing a mix of country, top 40, rock, R'n B and retro. In 2007, Oram auditioned for the hit show

, earning a 6th-place finish on the hit reality show. The next year, Oram signed her first major record deal with Open Road/Universal Music Canada and also appeared on reality TV series called, "The Tara Diaries" on CMT. CMT filmed a Christmas special she hosted, "The Night Before Christmas". In October 2008, Oram's first show as a signed artist was opening for her Idol,

Marty Stuart John Marty Stuart (born September 30, 1958) is an American country music, country and bluegrass music singer, songwriter, and musician. Active since 1968, Stuart initially toured with Lester Flatt, and then in Johnny Cash's road band before be ...

in Halifax, Nova Scotia. In 2009, CMT and YTV Oram appeared a celebrity judge on the TV series, "Karaoke Star Junior". On July 10, 2010, Oram was the opening act for

Taylor Swift Taylor Alison Swift (born December 13, 1989) is an American singer-songwriter. Known for her autobiographical songwriting, artistic versatility, and Cultural impact of Taylor Swift, cultural impact, Swift is one of the Best selling artists, w ...

and performed at the second annual Cavendish Beach Music Festival in

Cavendish Cavendish may refer to: People * The House of Cavendish, a British aristocratic family * Margaret Cavendish (1623–1673), British poet, philosopher, and scientist * Cavendish (author) (1831–1899), pen name of Henry Jones, English auth ...

, Prince Edward Island, singing to a crowd of more than 35,000 people. Oram became a judge on YTV's Canadian reality TV show, The Next Star since Season 5, which premiered July 18, 2012.

Awards and nominations

Oram received nominations for the 2009 East Coast Music Awards in the categories Female Solo Recording of the Year and Video of the Year, and won in the Country Recording of the Year award. She also received a CRMA (Canadian Radio Music Award) nomination as Best New Group/Solo Artist. On February 2, 2009 Oram was nominated for a Juno Award in the Country Recording of the Year category. Oram won the 2009 CCMA Rising Star award. She was also nominated for Rising Star, Female Artist of the Year and Video of the Year. In 2015, Tara Oram received a Star on Brampton's Walk of Fame.

Discography

Albums

Singles

Music videos

Awards and nominations

References

External links

*
Tara Oram's Management Company
{{DEFAULTSORT:Oram, Tara 1984 births Living people Canadian Idol participants Canadian women country singers Open Road Recordings artists People from Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador Canadian Country Music Association Rising Star Award winners 21st-century Canadian women singers

Early life

Career

Awards and nominations

Discography

Albums

Singles

Music videos

Awards and nominations

See also

References

External links