This inspirational story of Jemma will encourage anyone who is finding their feet in any creative industry.
Jemma Beech and Rae Leigh catch up for the first time after meeting in 2016 DAG Singer Songwriter Retreat in Tamworth Australia. Jemma talks about living on stations, nannying and balancing life and music.
“We only have one life so I’m going to do what makes me happy”
The pressure and demand of trying to keep up with others in the country music industry got to her when she was younger and she is coming back fully passionate about doing it as she wants to, how she wants and when she wants to do it.
Raised in the quiet town of Yanderra, NSW, singer-songwriter, Jemma Beech has Country in her blood. Her hard-hitting blend of modern and classic Country music spins tales of love and rural life.
When Jemma was just 3 years old she fell in love with music – despite the fact that nobody close to her could play or sing. 90’s Country queens like Trisha Yearwood, Shania Twain and The Chicks would be her inspiration. "I was three years old in the back seat of the car when Mum was flicking through radio stations driving around Queensland on a holiday,” recalls the now 30-year-old. “A Trisha Yearwood song came on and I was hooked from that moment on.”
Growing up in a small town meant a fair dinkum Country upbringing - everything from horse riding to dirt bikes. “We had a few acres of land with a front paddock where my horse was kept,” reminisces Jemma.“ The back half of our property was slowly turned into a motorbike track – mostly for my two younger brothers – I really enjoyed riding the PeeWee 80 around the track and over the jumps and side berms they made.” Although her potential motocross career was short-lived, as the track later became a learner driver’s course when she got a ’97 Toyota Corolla.
A string of odd jobs followed. Bartender, Truck Stop Worker, Nanny – you name it. Music began to take centre stage in Jemma’s life when the she attended the 2015 Senior Academy of Country Music in Tamworth. Previously studying as a beauty therapist she crowd funded the lion’s share of the costs to get her to the Country Music capital.
Jemma’s latest track, ‘You Fool’, drops on November 11th. Recorded at the renowned Music Cellar by Rod McCormack and written alongside Rod and Sally Barris.
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