Alongside a lineup of seasoned musicians, the upcoming North of Nashville event will also feature some local budding talent.
For Brieanne DeVore and Gracie Page, the opportunity to play with the pros on June 19 is a dream come true.
“It’s cool to be in the show. I am nervous and excited,” said Page.
While 13-year-old DeVore and 11-year-old Page are still in elementary school, their musical talent is beyond their years. Both girls are being mentored by musician Shelley Beeston at the Soundgarden in Coombs.
In fact, it was at one of Beeston’s student showcase events where DeVore got the attention of Les Horne, who is involved with the North of Nashville show.
“I am friends with his daughters and they came to the showcase in April,” said DeVore. “Les heard me singing and then he called me.”
At North of Nashville, DeVore will sing two songs while accompanied by Page on guitar.
DeVore will sing Carrie Underwood’s Before He Cheats, as well as an original song she wrote with Page.
The two admit they don’t have a lot experience but they are thrilled to share their talent in front of hundreds of people.
Beeston said her young prodigies have been working hard and she believes both of them have a ton of potential.
“They are both going to be in artist development with me and I will take them as far as I can,” said Beeston. “We are taking a ride together and so far, it has been amazing.”
Beeston has been DeVore’s vocal coach for some time now and said her student has really improved her vocal range and now her voice soars.
“She has amazing talent for such a young age. With Brieanne, it is what comes out of her heart naturally,” said Beeston.
Beeston knows her stuff, too. She is the powerful vocalist of the band Baby Jane, though she said her main focus at the moment is giving vocal lessons and coaching at the Soundgarden.
“It has been three years here figuring what this school is about for me. It has been about artist development and some of the amazing talent that has come in here and I get to work with,” she said. “Alex Wickett and Tora Leigh are out there working now doing shows and recording and I am hoping to get Brieanne recording an EP very soon.”
Beeston’s efforts are consistently rewarded by the results she gets from her students and some of them are already moving on to bigger things.
“Alex Wicket and Tora Leigh are both playing on Canada Day in separate shows and all of my students will perform at the Coombs Fair. I am so happy with the talent,” she said.
