Great things are in the works for singer-songwriter Jessy Mossop after she competed in a country music showdown that netted five first place trophies – one for every category entered.
“Everything I could win, I won. It was so amazing. It’s like all the hard work pays off and you’re feeling on top of the world,” said Mossop in a telephone interview from her St. Albert residence.
Mossop, a Global Country winner, had earned a berth to compete in the adult new country class at the renowned North American Country Music Associations, Int’l held March 9 to 15 at the Country Tonite Theatre in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Dubbed NACMAI, the competition is pronounced ‘nakma’.
Approximately 1,000 country music hopefuls from around the world competed for top honours in an event unequalled in size and scope.
The 21-year-old pocketed hardware for Best International Female Vocalist of the Year, Best International Entertainer of the Year, Best International Songwriter for Girl Inside of Me, Best Co-Songwriter of the Year with Stephen Lecky for Monsters and Best International Music Video of the Year.
Unfortunately there is no cheque presentation to follow.
“Just the title and the trophy is enough. I get to say I went there and it looks good on my resume.”
A second St. Albert competitor, Julia Nicholson, also a Global star, stepped off the airplane carrying three second-place statuettes in the new country 13 to 16 category.
Nicholson, who celebrated her 17th birthday three days ago, was acknowledged as Most Promising International Female International Vocalist, Most Promising International Female Entertainer and Most Promising International Songwriter for Black Camaro, an energetic tune she also played at the 2015 Mayor’s Celebration of the Arts.
“Just the whole opportunity of going to Nashville in a singing competition, I learned a lot. It was great exposure. It didn’t matter coming in second place. The environment was so cool,” Nicholson said.
“The whole atmosphere was cool. You could go backstage and practise in the dressing rooms. You performed with other performers and sometimes played together. For instance, Jess and I would warm up together.”
Although competing was an adrenalin rush, both singers felt Global’s 10-day package tour of Nashville was a dream come true. A tourist itinerary included a historic visit to the Ryman Auditorium, a concert and backstage tour of the Grand Ole Opry, and a drop-by the Johnny Cash Museum.
It was an appointment at a recording studio with singer-songwriters and producers that proved most beneficial to the duo’s careers.
“I sang a song for them and they provided feedback. Some of them told me what the next step in my career would be. I have my first EP coming out soon and they gave me information on helping to hype it,” Nicholson stated.
Singer-songwriter Riley Madison also offered to provide mentoring by offering to write several songs with Nicholson.
But Broadway, a street lined with all-night honky-tonk bars and songwriters’ cafĂ©s, brought the music experience home.
For Mossop, walking through the door of the Full Moon Saloon was a realization that many country icons and A-listers had probably passed through the same doors, sat in the same seats.
“It made me feel so great being down there. But did you know that in Edmonton, musicians are paid through ticket prices. Down there you only work for tips,” Mossop commented.
“After a while you realize how many people are down there. It was a real eye-opener. In Edmonton, there are a lot of good musicians and when you start out you feel really small. In Nashville there are a million times more people and you feel even smaller.”
Although neither singer-songwriter is returning to Nashville in the short term, both called the experience “amazing” and are grateful for the opportunities the trip offered.
Mossop and Nicholson are both slated to perform at Global Country Star Search on Saturday, May 2 at The Mercury Room, 10575 – 114 St. For more information visit globalcountry.ca.
