May 2009
by Dana Urrutia
Rachel Farley already knows what she wants to wear when she's inducted into the Grand Ole Opry. "I love the dress Patsy Cline wore when she was inducted. I keep looking at that picture." She's very quick to laugh at herself, "I know, I know…But that's my goal."
Just 14, Rachel's got time to make plans, but even at this early stage in her career as an aspiring singer-songwriter, no one else is laughing. Instead, many who hear her sing are convinced they'll someday be able to say, "I knew her when…"
Dressed in workout clothes, with her hair in a ponytail and a smile adorned with barely-visible braces, Rachel looks the part of a typical Gwinnett teen. But it's the powerful voice, a "born on stage" presence and an old-soul tone that convince folks this girl's for real.
'It's Not Glamorous'
Chasing the dream has now become a way of life for this high school freshman from Lawrenceville, with the full and active support of her parents, Jeff and Larissa, and three brothers, Chase, 15; Jamie, 7; and Jackson, 3.
Rachel's first public performance – singing the National Anthem for 1,000 – was at age five. She then continued to perform at school and church and in musical theater around metro Atlanta. It was a juggle with lots of late rehearsals, and even later nights to finish homework. In early 2007, the Farleys decided to take a different tact. Rachel had participated in a talent convention and had received a lot of call backs, mostly for acting possibilities. Connecting the dots in the music world led to a meeting with a Nashville producer. After that conversation, says Larissa, they realized that Rachel's career dream would require changing life as they knew it.
Mom Larissa embarked on a self-taught crash course to best guide and advise Rachel. "I researched and read everything I could get my hands on about the business," she says, "and talked to anyone who'd listen…I found myself answering emails from 'big' people in my pajamas with a baby on my hip – before taking the boys to school in the morning."
Jeff and Larissa decided to home school Rachel, although Larissa is quick to point out that she's not teaching Rachel herself – for her daughter's own good. Rachel "attends" an online academy and utilizes other programs and services available for home-schooled students. School occupies four hours a day, at a minimum, often sandwiched in between song writing, meetings, practicing, rehearsing, working out, preparing the set list for upcoming shows and actually performing.
"It's not glamorous," laughs Rachel. "But if it were glamorous, it wouldn't be fun. It's a lot of work, but I hope I make it look easy when I'm on stage."
Budding artists require the tools of the trade – instruments and equipment, a demo CD, photography and videos, and the money and time to travel to Nashville – almost 30 times in the last two years. Add to that the time and rigors of a busy performance schedule. Rachel logged 100 shows in the first year alone, performing in 56 different venues in Georgia, Florida and Tennessee. The schedule for this second year looks to be even busier.
Building the Base
"The focus for any young artist is to play a lot of shows, build a fan base, and write and play great music," says Larissa.
Rachel is rapidly moving through that check list. Her MySpace page, www.myspace.com/rachelfarleymusic, started with 300 fans in 2007 and now has about 8,000. She has an endorsement deal with Takamine Guitars and rarely has less than 20 shows booked. Both her songwriting and vocal skills are getting critical praise. In 2008, Rachel was named the North America Country Music Association's International Traditional Country Songwriter of the Year for her song Lonely Alone and New Country Songwriter of the Year for Tennessee. She was also named Nashville Hype Blog's Female Vocalist of the Year, Georgia-country.com's Favorite Teen Singer, and the Georgia Country & Gospel Music Association's Entertainer of The Year, all in 2008.
Rachel describes her musical style as "trademporary," a mix of traditional and contemporary country music styles. Influenced initially by Patsy Cline, Natalie Maines and Martina McBride, Rachel's currently drawn to Miranda Lambert and also loves the style of Jason Aldean and Luke Byran. Overall, though, it's the fans that have the biggest impact. "She cares most about what they like," says Larissa.
Definitely modern and a little edgy, is she country rock? "I probably would be if I had a band," she laughs. "It's hard to be country rock with just an acoustic guitar."
Her latest performing gig is one she clearly loves – on several occasions, she's opened for Brantley Gilbert, from Jefferson, Ga., who's one of the nation's top unsigned country artists. "I'm a huge fan myself, so it's easy for me to be enthusiastic. It's not really about me. It's my job to prep the audience for the main act. The fact that I get to perform with Brantley and watch the show when I'm done is a huge bonus!"
On the writing circuit, Rachel is also finding acceptance with some proven talent. She currently writes regularly with veteran songwriters Mike Dekle and Byron Hill, as well as Gilbert, loving the chance to develop as a true singer-songwriter.
Rachel welcomes every new experience and opportunity. "I don't just want to be that token young artist," she says of the "age thing." "I have to earn that respect."
Family Balance
Back at home, her three brothers are proud fans but can't resist a few well-placed sibling digs. "It's never quiet around the house because she is always singing and playing guitar," says big brother Chase. On the other hand, having the chance to meet a lot of interesting people is a plus, he says, as is the possibility of some type of future in the music business himself. For Jamie, it's "cool" to have a big sister in the music business, even if you do miss her when she's on the road performing.
Dad is clearly a huge fan, "Rachel has such a talent and is able to bring out the emotion and passion in a song. It's amazing," says Jeff.
Family life and family balance is a priority for the Farleys. Family dinner is a constant five nights a week. "She's still a soccer mom," says Rachel of Larissa, who indeed maintains the crazy driving schedule of a mom with two boys in sports. Jeff and Larissa have chosen a divide-and-conquer strategy of sorts, wherein Larissa takes the lead with Rachel's growing career. On the other hand, "Jeff's the basketball coach and while I'm at the games for the boys, I'd be lost if I had to do that."
Rachel's committed to staying grounded. "You have to be real. No one will ever believe you're bigger than who you are. Your relationships are the most important thing."
Of course, there are hopes for the future – an eventual publishing deal for songwriting or a recording contract. "But it has to be right," maintains Larissa. "We are not in any hurry."
For more on Rachel or to buy her music, visit:
iTunesALSO FOUND IN GWINNETT BUSINESS JOURNAL. LINK BELOW.
http://www.gwinnettbizjournal.com/content.cfm?WikiID=7642