JAY — Twelve-year-old Sara Barker is a talented young woman who gives back to the community. She is already making a name for herself and will be competing in a singing competition next March.

The youngest of seven, Sara began singing at the Dryden Baptist Church while her family lived in Wilton. Church member Emery Thompson introduced Sara to folk and country music.

“Country Sunshine,” made popular by Dottie West, was the first song Sara sang publicly as part of a benefit for the Wilton Food Pantry.

Sara has sung at other benefits — one is the annual Homeless Veterans of Maine show held each September in Augusta. For the past two years, Sara has opened the show, which also features Debbie Myers and Friends plus other local entertainers.

At the 2014 show, Myers presented Sara with a guitar. The guitar was the second one Myers had ever owned. With Myers’ encouragement, Sara said she started learning how to play. Sara picked it up easily and is even planning to give beginner guitar lessons starting in January.

Another cause Sara and her family support is Addilyn’s Journey of Hope and the fight against Krabbe disease. When Addilyn Davis was first born, Pam Barker (Sara’s mom), made hats for the little girl. Sara began following Addilyn’s Facebook page.

Several other connections were discovered. Pam taught the brother of Jamie, Addilyn’s mother, how to drive. Pam also got to know Jamie’s sister while helping her look for property.

Those connections couldn’t be ignored. Sara felt she needed to do more.

She arranged a private concert for Addilyn and her cousins last spring. Sara performed some of Addilyn’s favorite songs. She also sang “Addilyn’s Song,” a song that Sara and Pam had written for Addilyn.

Sara put together her own adult band. Down the Dirt Road features Sara on rhythm guitar and vocals; Travis Pinkham, lead guitar and vocals; Hall Burhoe, rhythm guitar and harmony; and Diane Hanscom on drums.

The band adopted Addilyn’s cause and has done its part to fight the disease that Addilyn succumbed to last fall when a little more than 4 years old. Every time the band performs, the audience is told about Addilyn and Krabbe disease.

Krabbe disease is fatal if not tested for at birth. One in every 125 infants is a carrier, but the test is not routinely performed at Maine hospitals.

At Down the Dirt Road (DDR) concerts, a hat is passed and all donations go toward purchasing test kits. The first donations were presented during Addilyn’s private concert. Additional support comes from the sales of a CD. 

DDR has performed from The Forks to the Augusta area and everywhere in between. Sara said during the busy season, the band practices every Thursday and Friday night. At this time of year, they get together one or two times a month.

Sara has been working with vocal coach Brooke LaChance for about six months.

“She’s teaching me how to hit high notes with power,” Sara said. “I’m working on breathing technique, my projection and natural vibrato.”

A member of the Down East Country Music Association, Sara has competed regionally. In 2014, she was the recipient of the Maine Academy of Country Music Rising Star Award.

This year, she was named DECMA’s new country female vocalist in the 12 and under category. She and Travis Pinkham also took first in mixed age duet. Sara tied for the judges’ award, Most Promising Artist.

“Competing takes a lot of stamina and practice,” she said.

In March, Sara will travel to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, to compete at the national level.

“I hope to have a small demo and pull a Taylor Swift and go door-to-door while there,” she said. 

An estimated $4,000 is needed for the trip. More than half has been raised. A GoFundMe page, www.gofundme.com/rz4h56yc, has been set up to help.

Sara is in the seventh grade at Spruce Mountain Middle School. She plays soccer and track and participates in the spring drama. She is a high honors student whose favorite subject is math.

Sara said, “I want to get as far as I can with my music. I’ll go until it stops.”

She plans to become a teacher, then continu to teach music.

pharnden@sunmediagroup.net