Don't hate her because she's talented -- she's had lots of practice.

Canada's newest rock chanteuse Chantal Kreviazuk has been singing and playing piano since she was three years old. According to the outspoken singer -- who appears tonight at 8 and 9:30 p.m. on the Coca-Cola Stage at the Calgary Stampede -- music was really the only thing she could do.

"I was such a loser," the friendly 24-year-old says with a laugh.

"There were these girls in my class who took gymnastics and I thought they were so cool, so I said, `Mommy, you have to let me take gymnastic lessons.' I think I went once and bawled and never went again.

"I was never really great at anything, but music held my attention and I seemed to get a good response from people."

The good response has continued with her debut CD, Under These Rocks and Stones -- an album that ranges from the self-affirming hit God Made Me to the very personal lyrics of Imaginary Friend.

That particular song, which Kreviazuk describes as being "very true from my heart," actually moved a woman to tears at recent show in Cleveland.

"I could see by looking at her, her visible handicap, and it all made sense to me. It was very healing for her to hear that I have the same feelings as her. It's special when I see things like that."

But her success has made it hard to do even small errands without being recognized by at least a few adoring fans.

"I've gone into Shopper's Drug Mart to get zit cream, with no makeup and a mound of pimples on my face, and someone's recognized me. And they're going `Oh, God Made Me. That's so cool!' And I'm like `Aurgh, I hate me.' But I have to practise what I preach. I'm usually happy when people do that. I'm gracious."

By: Lisa Wilton