Introduced to music at an early age Karla had country and gospel influences at The Pilgrim household in Roddickton, Newfoundland. Now a multi-instrumentalist (drums, guitar, bass, mandolin, piano, and percussion), this singer-songwriter has been making waves on the Atlantic Canadian music scene over the last decade. Infact last year she rocked through the second round of the hit reality series Nashville Star and played twice on the infamous Tootsies stage which started the likes Terri Clarke.

Inspired by artists like Patty Loveless, Vince Gill, Loretta Lynn and Keith Urban,
Karla has worked hard to become the talent she is today. With a voice as smooth as silk and an approach to melody that is always surprising and yet familiar, she epitomizes the real deal.

A performance by Karla can leave the listener spell-bound. Her rich vocal textures accompanied with her versatile guitar style are a match made in heaven. But probably the most astounding element of her performance is the spirit and soul that she brings to the stage. What appears as effortless really is. Performing is as natural to Karla Pilgrim as breathing. Her voice transports you away from physical form to a place that is light, energy and joy.

Mandy Cook from The Independent, writes, “As much of a presence as she brings to the stage — which she does in spades — it’s her powerhouse voice that nails you to your seat. She belts out the big moments, softly breathes the quieter ones, and easily travels up and down the octaves.”

Karla performed in “ABBA: The Music” as a lead vocalist, and was the opening act and back up vocalist for “The Outlaws”. Both shows were featured during the 2001 Stephenville Theatre Festival (STF) summer season. Also while in Stephenville, she was chosen as the opening act for the Music Industry Association’s provincial “Emerging Artist Tour”. That fall, she moved to the provincial capital and began performing in the local bars and collaborating with other songwriters. Karla was selected for a Music Industry Showcase in November 2002 during the annual music conference.

2003 brought much media attention with Karla being a featured contestant during the first season of Canadian Idol. As well, she was showcased in several television and radio programs. Most notably, CBC Radio One’s Singer and Songwriters Series; Beyond Your Backyard hosted by Gordon Pinsent on NTV; and East Coast Music Awards 2003 coverage on NTV’s Centerstage. Karla continued to perform in and around St. John’s for the next few years. While writing and building her original song collection, she also recorded background vocals on several local albums.

In 2005, Karla was asked to return to Stephenville, Newfoundland where she starred in and helped create “Saints and Sinners” – a feature production for the STF’s summer season that highlighted her personal musical journey through country and gospel music. In addition to performing as a solo artist and/or part of a trio in Newfoundland bars and concert halls, Karla can also be found as a side musician in theatre and concert productions. Most recently she played bass for “Walk The Line”, a provincial tribute tour to Johnny Cash and doubled as vocal director and back up singer for “Still Crazy: A Simon and Garfunkle Tribute”. Karla will record a debut CD scheduled for release in mid 2007.