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Last Updated: Jul 26th, 2010 - 11:35:55 |
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| Country singer and songwriter Gwen Sebastian will play at 8 p.m. Tuesday as part of the Stevens County Fair activities. Photo submitted |
Taking the Stevens County Fairgrounds center stage for the second year in a row is up-and-coming country music singer, songwriter Gwen Sebastian.
The rural North Dakota native has prepared a new show since her visit to Hugoton last summer. She comes to Kansas with a new single, “V.I.P. (Barefoot Girl),” at No. 33 on the Music Row Country Breakout Chart and with the title as an “artist to watch in 2010” by Country Weekly.
"It is going to be new songs and while my songs are country music, my show is not just country,” said Sebastian. “We try to do a little bit of everything in the music genres. We might play an Alabama song, but you might even hear a little Led Zeppelin too. We try to incorporate a little bit of everything.”
Sebastian will play at 8 p.m. Tuesday as part of the Stevens County Fair activities. The concert is free to the public. Sebastian guarantees her show to be fun for all ages.
"It is high-energy country,” said Sebastian. “It has been quoted as 'country with spunk.' That is how I like to say it. They wouldn't be bored and hopefully will be on their feet dancing and clapping.”
Sebastian and her band have been touring since early May. Many of her performance have been of a festival style and at county fairs. The atmosphere reminds her of home in Hebron, N.D. Sebastian is a former 4-H club member and remembers fair time for showing her horse, sewing projects and making brownies.
“The best part about fairs is everyone can come,” said Sebastian. “All ages and kids can actually come out and hear the music. I think it is very important that music is reachable to all ages. I love that aspect.”
Sebastian grew up in a household filled with music. Mom played bass guitar. Dad played guitar and fiddle. Sebastian took up piano and by 11 was named the organist at her church.
She left home after high school on track to attend nursing school in Bismarck, N.D., but after a semester, she packed up her bags and headed for music city of Nashville. She found a job as a property manager of a rental complex and played as often as she could. She eventually earned the respect of Open Roads Records.
Sebastian said it took a lot of hard work to get where she is today, a summer tour and a debut six-song extended play album titled “V.I.P.”
Despite Sebastian's story of a small town girl living her dream in Nashville, she said she does not have the perfect advice to give to anyone aspiring to perform music. She does offer basic advice.
"You have to be able to take criticism well,” said Sebastian. “You have to realize everyone has an opinion. You have to keep pursuing and keep on doing what you love. That is the basic advice. It is not all fun. About 99 percent of the time it is but the other is a lot of hard work.”
Sebastian welcomes questions from fans about her music, path to success and more. She makes a point to always be available after a show to talk with fans and sign autographs. Hugoton is no exception, she said.
“I am excited to get there,” said Sebastian, “and would like to meet every one in the crowd.”
© 2008 Southwest Times
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