‘Rappin’ Granny’ Bette Reynolds closes out Stratford library’s Happy Hour series with a bang

Bette Reynolds, the “Rappin’ Granny,” performs alongside local musician Jaron Camp during the Stratford Public Library’s Happy Hour series finale.

The Stratford Public Library’s final Happy Hour of the summer went out with a lyrical bang, thanks to 76-year-old rapper – and local legend – Bette Reynolds.

Known to many as the “Rappin’ Granny,” Reynolds lit up the library on Aug. 15 with a high-energy set that blended her famous raps with Beatles covers, backed by local musician Jaron Camp.

The performance, part of the library’s Happy Hour event series, drew a lively crowd for an evening of music, mingling and drinks.

“We’re excited to have people at the library to mix and mingle, have a drink from Junction 56, some snacks and enjoy the live performance,” said librarian Melanie Kindrachuk. “We usually have less programming happening in the summer, so we thought this would be a really fun way to add some zing.”

Reynolds, who emigrated from Scotland years ago, became widely known in the U.K. after appearing as a finalist on The Voice in 2020, performing just one month after her husband passed away.

“I was meant to do it,” she said to the sold-out show at the library last Friday. “He passed away Jan. 25, and I was on stage Feb. 25 performing. It was a special, special thing and I was meant to be there.”

Reflecting on her appearance on The Voice, Reynolds recalled the surreal moment she realized where she was standing.

“I was looking for my marker on the floor and then I looked up to see the names on the judges’ chairs and I thought, ‘This is ridiculous – why am I here?’”

The evening wasn’t without its lighter moments. Reynolds grinned while talking about meeting American singer-songwriter LeAnn Rimes.

“Meeting LeAnn Rimes was great. She follows me on Instagram now too – not trying to name drop or anything,” she joked.

For Reynolds, Friday’s show at the library was extra special.

“Oh, brilliant, yeah, absolutely brilliant,” she said of performing in her hometown. “Let’s face it – there’s no place like home.”

The performance was made possible in part by Destination Stratford’s Music Pop-Up Grant. Junction 56 Distillery provided cocktails and mocktails for the sold-out crowd, giving the library a final toast to a summer of community connection and creativity.