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10 Questions with ... Gabby Barrett
May 25, 2020
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
On the heels of her debut single, “I Hope,” going #1 in April, Gabby Barrett has just released the follow up, “The Good Ones,” to Country radio with a June 8th impact date. Both songs are from her debut album, “Goldmine,” set to drop on June 19th. Written by Barrett with Emily Landis, Jim McCormick and Zach Kale, “The Good Ones” was inspired by Barrett’s husband of almost eight months, Cade Foehner, whom she met when both were contestants on ABC’s “American Idol” in 2018. An Academy of Country Music New Female Artist of the Year nominee, Barrett was named one of SiriusXM’s “Future Five” for 2020 and is a member of CMT’s class of 2020 “Next Women Of Country,” among many other accolades already racked up in her young career. The 20-year-old Pennsylvania native began singing in a gospel choir at nine years old, and performed 136 shows in 2017 before rising to national prominence on “Idol” the following year.
1. Let’s go back to your post-“Idol” period. I understand you had interest from a lot of Nashville labels. What made you choose Warner Music Nashville?
All of the label deals were absolutely wonderful. It was nice to see people interested in general. But Warner, I naturally gravitated to them. I just think we were on the same goal path with everything, and the sense of overwhelming belief in me that they had just really made me jump on everything all the more. Plus the head guy, John Esposito, is from Pittsburgh and I’m from Pittsburgh, so that might have had something to do with it! [Laughs] They’re just absolutely wonderful, and I found that they just fit me the best.
2. You mentioned that you were on the same goal path. How would you describe that path you’ve envisioned for yourself?
My #1 thing that I want to get to is [playing] Madison Square Garden. I remember talking to [Warner execs] about it and they were very just determined like, “Yes, we’re going to get you there.” They just really had a strong belief in me, and they had a large opening for a female on the label, and so everything just matched perfectly and I’m excited to be working with them.
3. It seemed like 2019 was a whirlwind year for you both from a career perspective and a life perspective (because of getting married). How did it all feel from the inside, and what was going on in your head during that time?
How did it feel inside? Secretly explosive. It was just, like, so much excitement all contained. Honestly, when I talk about the overall year, it just makes me all the more grateful and thankful again for how many wonderful things happened last year, from being signed with a label, releasing my first single as an artist apart from “American Idol” and seeing the reaction, and getting married. It was just a really wonderful year, and it makes me very, very thankful and keeps me very grounded and humble.
4. Your new single, “The Good Ones,” was inspired by your husband. What made you want to write that song and how did it all come together?
We started dating during “Idol,” and a lot of people, mainly my family, would ask me, “How's your boyfriend doing?” And I’d be like, “Oh, he’s a good one. He’s a keeper.” “I Hope” kind of reflected my past in high school and feelings I had towards a boy. Thankfully, I’ve grown from that a bit now to where the next song that I wanted to roll out was a song about my present, talking about my good one. I wanted to write a song about not just the bad ones like with “I Hope,” but also the good ones, ’cause there are good ones out there. So I wrote this one about mine. Anybody with a good one, I hope it can connect with them.
5. Did people in your inner circle “advise” you were too young to get married at 19, and how did you push back?
Sure. A lot of people have opinions, and I don’t think everybody’s going to agree with everything that you do. But all I know is that it was just right for me personally, and I knew that it was the correct timing. I knew that the Lord was going to guide whatever he wanted to make happen, and I knew that Cade was the one designed for me. So everything was right [with the] timing in my eyes. And I’m really glad that I made the decision to be with him.
6. You co-wrote 12 of the 13 songs on “Goldmine.” How important it is to you that your art reflects your authentic voice and perspective?
I like to be on most of my songs. I think being on your songs makes it all the more special in a way. Especially for me, just knowing that I’m releasing something that I was really a part of and dug in the dirt with. I remember Dolly Parton would always say the most genuine songs are the ones that ended up lasting the longest. And so, I just think it’s really important to me, as a songwriter, to really dive into my music, especially coming out of the gate right now with my first songs going to radio. It’s important to be on those songs, and it makes me feel really good knowing that I wrote them and people are liking them.
7. I’m chuckling over your expression about songs you “dug in the dirt” with. Does songwriting sometimes feel like that?
Yeah. Sometimes you don’t really know what you’re going to write about. I mean, there’s times where you get into a writing room and it’s a complete flop. And then there’s times where you get to a writing room and you’re like, “Oh, I’m just on a roll.” So it depends. But with all of these songs, I’ve gotten very blessed and fortunate to come out with some great music, with some great people that have also helped me write them as well.
8. How does it feel to have an album finally coming out?
We’re really, really excited about it. I’m really excited for people to hear music that I’ve been writing for a year and a half. I think it’s gonna be cool. It’s not just a specific genre, it’s a little mix of everything, so it should be a good album.
9. What did co-producer Ross Copperman bring out in you in the studio that you didn’t know was in there?
He is a very creative individual, and he’s very smart when it comes to the way that music should be laid out. He just helped grow a lot in the writing process because he’s actually one of the first people that I met when I started writing, and he jumped on board to be a part of my team. So he’s been wonderful, and I think he just brings a lot to the table. Me and him together in a room make a cool team, and you guys are going to hear that when the album comes out.
10. What has been your reaction to your very first radio single becoming a smash? And how do you feel about the support the song (and you) have gotten from Country radio?
I’m thrilled! It still feels surreal to hear my song on the radio, and I am so thankful for the people that have made this dream come true for me. Country radio has been so supportive. My fans have been amazing. “I Hope” has been special since the beginning, and to see it continually grow like this has been something I won’t forget. Thank you to the folks at radio, my family, friends and team. I feel truly blessed.
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