There is something different about Canadian country star Terri Clark that you just can’t put your finger on at first.

Raised in “The Hat” (that’s Medicine Hat to you non-Albertans), there seems to be something missing in most of Clark’s publicity photos as of late. 

That poised look is still there, piercing hazel eyes, and the Canadian maple leaf tattoo on her right shoulder, showing where her allegiances lie. And then there’s that raven, dark hair. You can actually see it. The once omnipresent cowboy hat is gone.

“Taking my hat off signifies what I’ve been doing musically,” explained Clark, 41, when asked why she’s set aside her trademark. “I’m revealing more. It’s like peeling an onion. I still have my hat on for part of the show. The boots, jeans, belts and guitar are still there, but I’m letting people see more.”

Besides her Stetson, Clark, who plays in Vernon Tuesday, says she has been liberated in other ways the past year starting with the decision to leave her record label BNA, which never released what would have been her last record.

“When I was on a U.S. label, it was a lot of work to cover that market. The past three years I was recording songs I was not connecting with just to get a hit. I was not passionate about it. Searching for a big hit song is like putting quarters in a slot machine. You’re waiting for the big pay off.”

Disillusioned, Clark broke free to independently produce her latest CD The Long Way Home, which was distributed through Capitol Records/EMI Music Canada in September.

She says the experience was both rewarding and validating.

“I had a review in Country Weekly (magazine) who had a copy of the BNA record that never came out. They said I made the right decision,” she said. “I’m not making music in the same way. I may not get on Letterman or Leno, but I know everything I am doing I can be proud of.”

The Grand Ole Opry member, and longtime Nashville resident, has also set her sights north and west with a number of recent appearances in B.C., including at Vancouver’s Canadian Country Music Awards in September and at this summer’s Merritt Mountain Music Festival.

“I feel the Canadian country music landscape is more viable. The quality of music is better –– you have Corb Lund one minute and Carolyn Dawn Johnson the next. The lines are less blurry. On country radio in the U.S., you have to sound a certain way. Hard core country doesn’t get as much national attention.”

Clark is keeping her ties close to home for the next while.

She just zipped through Alberta last week without a visit to “The Hat” (“no time,” she said) and also interrupted her tour to play a few dates in Nevada before returning to B.C.

She will also be part of the Winter Olympics torch relay in Medicine Hat and Calgary next month, and continues to do promotion for Real Canadian Superstore clothiers Joe Fresh.

“I am still based in Tennessee, and Nashville is where my songwriting and creative team is, but all my family is in Canada, and it’s where I want to be when I get old. But for now, I’ll still be in Nashville writing and recording. There’s a certain vibe there.”

Clark returns south for Christmas and is anticipating a visit from her family, including mother Linda, who has been battling cancer the past three years.

“Her wish is to have all her children in one place at Christmas,” said Clark. “She is not officially in remission, but by the grace of God, she seems like she is on her way to recovery.”

Clark brings her Long Way Home tour to the Vernon Performing Arts Centre Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Up-and-coming star Dean Brody from Jaffray, B.C. opens. Tickets are $45 at the Ticket Seller, 549-7469, www.ticketseller.ca.

Clark also performs at the Kelowna Community Theatre Wednesday night, and will sign autographs and perform a short acoustic set at Kelowna’s Real Canadian Superstore, 2280 Baron Rd., Wednesday at 1 p.m.