Danielle brings the voice of Nashville to Sage Gateshead

DANIELLE BRADBERY TOOK THE US VERSION OF THE VOICE BY STORM BEFORE EMBARKING ON A COUNTRY MUSIC CAREER THAT HAS HER TOURING THE UK. SIMON RUSHWORTH CAUGHT UP WITH THE 23-YEAR-OLD TEXAN AHEAD OF HER SAGE GATESHEAD SHOW TONIGHT

WHEN it comes to singer-songwriters, Music City doesn’t discriminate. Grizzled veterans, talented newcomers, fixtures on the live music scene and reality TV stars – Nashville welcomes each and every performer with open arms.

Its open-door policy continues to attract the cream of country music to a city synonymous with the genre, and Danielle Bradbery is glowing in her praise of the place she calls home.

“You quickly meet so many people – and so many influential people – who’ve been involved in the writing of countless hit songs,” she explained. “And they tend to be such nice people too. Nashville’s songwriting scene is very welcoming, and even the most established songwriters are willing to help emerging musicians make their way.”

In 2013 Bradbery became the youngest artist to win the US version of The Voice. As a 16-year-old she won hearts and minds with compelling versions of Taylor Swift’s Mean, Carrie Underwood’s Wasted, Sara Evans’s Born To Fly and more. Later that year she made her live debut on the legendary Grand Ole Opry bill and her love affair with Nashville began.

“I’m so glad that I did The Voice,” she said amid her Introducing Nashville tour. “It gave me a glimpse into every area of the music industry and you quickly learn what needs to be done – whether it’s in front of a camera or in preparation for your big moment.

“There are so many coaches on hand to guide you every step of the way and not just the four that you see on the screen. Behind the scenes there are specialist staff helping you with every aspect of the process.

“Even if you go out early you learn so much but I was fortunate to remain in the process until the end. I’m grateful that I got that opportunity. I didn’t have any idea of what to expect and I was very shy before I appeared on that show.

“If you’re self-conscious or you suffer from stage fright – which I did – then The Voice helps you grow. I went into that process without much confidence and I was painfully shy. I came out of it a completely different person.”

Bradbery is well aware of the criticism that frequently comes the way of former reality TV stars, but the Texan is proud of her heritage and the hard work that launched a country career.

“There are so many ways to back a new artist, but a lot of people do see the reality shows as some kind of short cut to a career in music,” she added. “I get that. But go behind the scenes on any one of those shows and you realise just how much hard work goes into making sure the artists don’t mess up on live TV.

“There’s very little time in between shows to learn new songs and work out how you’re going to do those songs your way. It’s tough.”

Nobody in Nashville cares where Bradbery has come from. It’s all about where she’s headed next. And there’s a real buzz around Music City regarding the follow-up to 2017’s I Don’t Believe We’ve Met.

“It seems like we’re having so many meetings about the new record right now,” she added. “And for my part I’m busy writing a lot of new music. I’m listening to outside songs – songs that aren’t mine – and creating my own stuff too. “And I’m appearing on the soundtrack of the new Charlie’s Angels movie, which is out next month. It’s very exciting.”

Bradbery might have been carving out a country music career for the best part of six years now, but at 23 she fells she’s only just getting started as an all-round artist.

And those attending tonight’s gig (which also features Travis Denning, Walker Hayes and Rachel Wammack) will gain a special insight into what it takes to make the leap from talented performer to accomplished singersongwriter.

“I know it seems like I’ve been doing this for a while but I’m only just getting started as a songwriter,” added Bradbery. “It’s taken me a while to get comfortable with the whole process. I’m still trying to find my spot in the room.

“Often, you’re a writer that’s really good at melodies or you’re a writer that’s really good at lyrics and how to express things. I’m still not sure where my strengths lie.

“So far my primary role has been to bring in the story. I want to be able to play a bigger part in terms of putting the lyrics and the melody together – but I’m learning every day, and getting better and better.”

On The Voice there’s very little time to learn new songs and work out how to do them your way. It’s tough Danielle Bradbery