Rising Gladstone country songstress to release debut single
by Kathy Dumbleton
It’s shaping up to be an incredible year in music for 18 year old Gladstone singer songwriter Jacinta Bradley.
After securing a spot with the Big Sky Girls mentoring program in Brisbane in January, she is set to release her debut single Hands of Steel in coming weeks.
“Somebody sent me a message through my music page saying I should apply for Big Sky Girls, so I jumped online and sent in a video of me singing,” Jacinta says.
That video earned the young musician a spot along with 12 other singer-songwriters to record an original in Brisbane.
The week-long Brisbane program featured workshops on singing and songwriting techniques for young female regional artists, to give them the necessary tools to forge their careers in the country music industry.
Jacinta’s first recording, Hands of Steel, was inspired by her family.
“It’s about how my family have helped me to be the person I am today and how grateful I am for them,” Jacinta says.
Jacinta’s parents encouraged their daughter’s musical talent at a very young age.
“I just loved singing when I was younger. I was always dancing and singing at the top of my lungs around the house so my parents put me in singing lessons and that’s where it all kicked off,” Jacinta said.
She started singing lessons at eight, and was later taught by Gladstone Performing Arts Company’s Jenny Garrett.
At 10 she met her singing mentor, Gladstone Country Music Club’s Rob Hopkins, when he was playing at the local Rotary Markets.
“I saw Hayley Marsten singing and just randomly asked if I could hop up and sing,” Jacinta recalled.
“I started going to the club and fell in love with country music. Rob Hopkins has been my mentor from the age of 10 until now and I’m super grateful for him.”
Since then she has been performing in country music festivals and talent quests including the Gladstone Harbour Festival and Crow Street events.
“My first concert apart from country music festivals was Gladstone Harbour Festival talent show, and I sang Coal Miners Daughter,” Jacinta said.
Other outings include the Boyne Valley Campout Relay for Life and the Festival of Summer.
“All the hard work you put into a three minute performance, it’s so worth it when you get the feeling of sharing something you love with so many people!”
Jacinta has great plans for this year including opening night for the Gladstone Harbour Festival 2020, the Calliope River Village Festival and Bigsound with Big Sky Girls.
Her music dreams for the future are simple:
“To write a bunch of new music and record so I can share my music and what I love with everyone.”
