She’s the One
The name Abby Stewart is getting to be a familiar name around here. She first came to our attention after being added to the lineup at this summer’s Calabogie Country Music Festival which is how we discovered that amazing video of her performing with Dean Brody which of course led to her dominating our #SoundOff for 4 rounds with the only real challenge coming from Darkhorse and Tanya Marie Harris (she would ultimately manage to squeak out a narrow victory in Abby’s 5th and final round).
Darkhorse said it best, as they fell to Abby, when they said that someday they will be playing stadiums together with Abby and they couldn’t have been more right. Last week it was announced that Abby had made the top 10 in the RBC Royal Bank Bluesfest, Jump 106.1 She’s the One Emerging Artist competition.
As we did with Boots and Hearts’ recent Emerging Artist competition we are going to try and feature all 10, or at least as many of the 10 as we can, artists in She’s the One so that you can get to know an artist that could potentially become a superstar thanks to this competition.
We invited Abby to answer a bunch of questions that we think will help tell the story behind her music, these are her answers.
SC: Firstly congratulations on being selected as one of the top 10 for the RBC Bluesfest She’s the One Emerging Female Artists Competition. RBC Bluesfest was ranked one of the top 10 music festivals by Billboard Magazine. Last summer you were one of the top 8 finalists in the Boots and Hearts Emerging Artist competition as well. How do the two events compare from a performer point of view and what are your thoughts on being selected into yet another elite group of entertainers?
AS: First of all let me say it really is an honor to be chosen as one of the Top 10 artists to be performing. When I got the news I couldn’t believe my ears! Boot and Hearts was all country music, which is my comfort zone, but Bluesfest is all genres of music, so it will definitely be very different, in a good and fun way!
SC: Every artist I’ve spoken to has a story about how / when they decided to pursue music as a career. We know that you started in music at a very early age, describe the moment that you knew that music was the path for you and what inspired you to take that path.
AS: It’s true I did start performing at a very early age but I have been so blessed to have had so many incredible opportunities that to think of one defining moment that has lead me down this path is pretty tough. I just enjoy singing, I love the energy of a crowd and I love the genre of country music. But if I had to pick one it would be looking out at the sold out audience at the K-Rock Centre on stage with Dean Brody, I kinda realized this is where I want to be.
SC: Your performance with Dean Brody is what caught our attention have you given any thought as to what other artists you would like to collaborate with in your career?
AS: I would love to sing or write or just be a fly on the wall with so many! Some all time favorites, such as The Band Perry, Miranda Lambert, Kira Isabella, Dean again….. There really isn’t anyone I wouldn’t want to collaborate with!
Abby Stewart with Dean Brody
SC: Most rising stars would get a bit star struck to simply meet an artist of Dean Brody’s calibre, you on the other hand not only got to meet Dean you had the unbelievable chance to duet with him in your hometown. Are there words that can describe that feeling?
AS: There are so many words to describe that feeling! As soon as I hit the stage, it was just happiness, and a voice telling me that this is where I have to and want to be, like I belonged there on the stage. I would do anything to do that again!
SC: This is where we normally ask what the defining moment has been in an artist’s career to date. Your career is still taxiing down the runway ready for takeoff. Has there been a moment, to date, that sticks out more than others, that reassures you that music is the right path for you?
AS: Well the Dean Brody concert is definitely something I will never, ever forget. And as I said, I’ve had so many great moments already. Boots and Hearts, the CNE, lots of jamborees and concerts, but even my very first time on stage singing when I was 6 years old stands out because that performance was very special to my family and got the ball rolling.
SC: What’s your all-time favourite movie?
Super Abby
AS: My all time favorite movie….hmmm I have always enjoyed superhero movies, I’m a Marvel girl so my favorite movies would be Captain America 1 and 2 especially at the Drive In! I love going to the Drive In!
SC: Your ideal brain food?
AS: Chips and Dip, or ice cream. I even like granny smith apples!
SC: Favourite Restaurant (anywhere in the world)?
AS: Montana’s I go there every year for my birthday!
SC: Favourite TV show (all-time)?
AS: The Office and Modern Family – I’m a comedy fan.
SC: If you could see any artist in concert, who would you see (living or dead)?
Buck Owens
AS: I would love to have been able to see Buck Owens! I sing a couple of his songs live and would have love to have seen him
SC: iPhone, Android or Blackberry?
AS: I don’t have a phone yet, but when I get one I would love an iPhone
SC: Can you talk about a fan encounter that completely took you by surprise?
AS: Well there was one fan that emailed me that I have never met before and she said that my song Broken Home was basically her life. That really took me by surprise, the fact that my song had impacted someone like that was very inspiring. I also remember the first time the audience starting singing Broken Home along with me, I felt so humbled but amazed!
SC: What are your family member’s musical interests and abilities?
AS: Well my parents actually didn’t have any musical interests other than – as my Dad jokes listening to the radio
SC: Name a fictional character most like you?
Hannah Montana
AS: Hannah Montana. I don’t have a secret life, but when I am singing I am a different person than who I am at school. I’m pretty quiet and don’t talk about my career at all except for the very occasional question asked by a teacher or parent at the school. On stage I have lots of fun, and hope everyone likes what they hear and see.
SC: In “Abby Stewart, Story of My Life” – The Movie, who would play you?
Chloe Grace Moretz
Elle Fanning
AS: There are a lot of actresses I like that I think could play me I really like Chloe Grace Moretz, or Elle Fanning. We think either choice would work well!
SC: Star Trek or Star Wars?
AS: Star Wars all the way!
SC: Stress management: hit man, spa vacation or Prozac?
AS: OOOOOOOHHH Spa!
SC: What is the best advice you’ve been given?
AS: The best advice I’ve been given is to just have fun, be myself and be a kid for as long as I can. Don’t change anything about me because someone says I should.
Abby Stewart
SC: Music / celebrity and charity tend to go hand in hand. Artists use their star power to generate awareness for their chosen charity. Is there a charity that’s close to your heart that you would like to see get more support?
AS: I have a few charities that are close to my heart. One is Joe’s MILL, which is a local charity here in town that I have done a few fundraising events for. It is the Musical Instrument Lending Library, where anyone can go and borrow and instrument and learn to play music. The second is the Canadian Cancer Society, it is close to my heart because one of my friends 6 year old little sister has cancer and she has been fighting for almost 1 year now. Another is Kids for Kids. My manager Garry McColman is the president and he organizes The Kids for Kids Hockey Tournament every year in Kingston which raises lots of money for numerous charities in the area. Its really successful!
SC: It’s looking like the summer of 2014 is going to be a banner year for you with performances at RBC Bluesfest, Calabogie Country Music Festival where you will open for Michelle Wright. What’s next for Abby Stewart?
AS: There are a few concerts and jamborees that are not confirmed yet but I cant wait to share them with you when they are. You can check out my schedule at abbystewartmusic.com, my fan page on Facebook and Twitter or Reverbnation for updates.
We’ve just learned that Abby has a new single hitting Country Radio on Wednesday so be sure to tune into your favorite country radio station or give them a call and tell them you want to hear the new song by Abby Stewart!
If you are headed to Ottawa Bluesfest this summer be sure to checkout She’s the One and show your support to tomorrow’s stars as they compete!
Special thanks to Abby, her family and management for setting up this interview and taking the time to answer our questions. We look forward to hearing more from Abby and watching as her career unfolds over the next few years!
Here is the video that introduced us to Abby, who knows perhaps this summer it will be replaced by one of her performing with Michelle Wright at Calabogie Country Music Festival. Here’s Abby Stewart performing “Bounty” with Dean Brody at the Rogers K-Rock Centre in Kingston.
