Meet Gina Powers | Exclusive Recording Artist with Hughmont International, LLC, Nashville, Tennessee

We had the good fortune of connecting with Gina Powers and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gina, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
It was less a thought and more a deep desire to sing, write and connect. Although I’d had a career in the human service field and had worked in a number of other industries, ultimately I struggled to find a place in the traditional work setting that left me feeling fulfilled. My biggest dream was music and I finally just did it. I just started singing at open mics and writing and performing and tried to do the next right thing.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m really proud and excited to have gotten a record deal. This gives me the opportunity to have the songs I write heard on a much wider scale than I could have accomplished on my own. I’m also much older than your average newly signed artist – I just turned 52.

Me being a longtime resident of Fargo, North Dakota and in my 50’s makes me ‘North of Normal’ in a couple ways and I think that gives me a unique perspective from which to draw when I write.

I don’t have a genre to which I am a devotee so that expands the breadth of how And what I write and sing – I both write and perform anything from Jazz to Rock to R&B and Country. I never know until I begin writing what a song wants to be. It’s so stunning to be driving along and hear a song I’ve recorded either since signing and recently even some of the songs of my first two EP’s which I released independently playing on the radio. It still shocks me and makes me teary eyed. I hope it always does. Best feeling ever!

I worked really hard to get to this point. A lifetime of singing and now this last nearly decade of focusing exclusively on music as my sole source of income has led me down many a winding road, but the journey has been delicious every bit of the way. Many late nights, long days that are really two days with no sleep-lots of miles and dusty roads, late nights and early radio interviews and gigging for ‘exposure’. It’s been a grind, there is no question. That said, I wouldn’t trade it. Every day is a school day! Each moment has led to the next and I have never felt more satisfied or more fulfilled by any other career I’ve pursued. For me, the idea that doing something you love means you never work a day in your life… that rings true. Grinding when it’s your hearts desire is a thrill so even when it’s hard it’s exhilarating and satisfying.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First, thank you to every single Gina Powers music fan without whom I could not be here. Thank you for listening and supporting me all these years.

There are so many people who have been integral partners in the journey to this stage of my career. My mother and Stepfather Cheryl and Paul Ledzian who encouraged me and always had music playing when I was young and then my father Ted Powers who taught me to play a few chords on guitar when I was twelve. My father also expanded my exposure to music and musical people-far too many to name.

Within the last decade, since I’ve been on this music journey more exclusively and professionally, I am deeply grateful for James Singer, my first songwriting partner; my current band members Mitchell Rittenbach, Russell Pfaff and Nathan Pitcher; The members of the FM Boogie Knights Band with whom I sang for over 4 years and who helped me hone my vocal skills; Travis Hopkins from KRFF 95.9 FM radio free Fargo who saw something in me when I couldn’t see it myself and who continues to be a never ending well of support and encouragement; Jake Litwin from Froggy 99.9 FM radio for playing my songs and for being such a positive and energetic lover of good music;Jodee Bock who is one of the most energizing and solid encouragers of people living a life of authenticity and passion; my children, Cheryl and Patrick who are my biggest fans and the hardest to impress (I say with a giggle) and family, most especially my granddaughter Genevieve who is 7 and tells anyone who will listen that her grandma is a famous singer on the radio (as long as I’m famous in your heart, pumpkin); Pat Lenertz and his band for showing me the ropes and giving my band the opportunity to open for them—’; Kyle Medenwald for his amazing photo and film artistry; Luke Anderson for the always solid advice and consultation; Rich Lahren for telling me I needed to dream bigger—there is no way to thank everyone… I feel I have been blessed beyond measure. I could spend the rest of my days thanking the many many friends and fans who have made all of this the ride of a lifetime.

Finally, the legendary Jerry Foster. the head of Hughmont International, LLC who signed me and for whom my gratitude is immeasurable. He and his beautiful wife Sharon have become like family and I feel at home with them always.

I’m missing a million trillion people… nobody gets here alone and there have been so many random acts of kindness and encounters, for instance maybe a grocery store checker who gave me a smile or was kind on a bad day… you know? Those micro moments of encouragement that keep a person going. I’m thankful for that too.

Website: ginapowersmusic.com

Instagram: @Theginapowersband

Twitter: @theginapowersband

Facebook: The Gina Powers Band

Youtube: The Gina Powers Band

Other: Gina Powers topic on YouTube has the releases since being signed, but The Gina Powers Band on YouTube has a music video and a bunch of other stuff.

Image Credits
Kyle Medenwald