 His first public performance was "Too Ra Loo Ra Loo Ral" (an Irish lullaby) in fourth grade, which was broadcast over his school's public address system on a parents' day event.As a youth, he sang, under the direction of choirmaster Ray Williams, in the choir of Orillia's St. Paul's United Church.According to Lightfoot, Williams taught him how to sing with emotion and how to have confidence in his voice.