Shenandoah Valley vocalist Emma Leigh has been selected to become a member of the class of 2014 at Premier Career Guidance, one of Nashville’s premier artist development companies.
Leigh, a Waynesboro resident and a 16-year-old junior at Wilson Memorial High School, will be under the tutelage of Nashville insider, Bernard Porter, and his staff of industry experts who are all highly respected in their fields.
Porter, who partners with Alabama member Teddy Gentry in many ventures, is responsible for signing current country music superstar Jason Aldean to Broken Bow records. Leigh will be placed in the company’s Emerging Artist program. Placement in this elite group is highly coveted and requires a referral. The program is specially designed for artists that PCG feels has definite potential to compete in today’s market.
Emma will start the development process this October and will continue in the year long program throughout 2014, receiving an education in such things as artist branding, creative direction, vocal and instrument development, live performance coaching, the music business, studio work, and much more.
“It’s so exciting to be offered this opportunity,” Leigh said. “It makes me feel like what I’m doing is special and unique. I’ve always dreamed of going to Nashville and being a recording artist, but it’s one of those things you never think is going to happen to you. Being given this chance really means something to me and it’s not something that everyone gets to do, and that makes it 10 times better. It’s hard for people to understand, but the industry has changed so much and artists just don’t get discovered anymore. The development process is important because it will help me to perfect my skills, polish my brand and get connected to the right people. This program is like college for an aspiring artist like me.”
When asked to comment about Leigh, PCG founder, Porter stated, “Breaking into the music industry is no easy feat, and there are no guarantees in this business, but Emma has a great foundation. Pair that with a ton of talent and potential, and being in the right development program, her future is very bright. I look forward to working with her and watching her as she develops into an artist that is ready to give this industry her best shot.” Porter added.
Leigh, who for the last three years has been on the TV series “Virginia Dreams Center Stage,” said, “I’ve been ready for my shot since the beginning of time, but I know I’ve still got some work to do. This program is designed to make sure I’m ready! My friend from Nashville, John Dotson, who was managing the country supergroup Exile at the time, told me once, ‘At the end of the day, industry people can only put you up to the plate. It’s up to you to swing the bat and hit it out of the park.’ That’s always stuck with me, and I guess it’s time for me to get in the ballpark.”
Leigh’s manager Jeff McDaniel says, “Emma will be making monthly trips to Nashville to study with PCG experts, and will spend time studying at home over the web with PCG’s virtual campus. The cost of the training and the travel involved is very expensive. We have been doing a lot of fundraising to help offset the cost and still have a long way to go. All donations are welcome, if anyone would like to help in this effort”. Business owners and entrepreneurs should recognize and understand the economic value Leigh’s achievement would bring home to the Valley due to the past measured success of the Statler Brothers and the Dave Matthews Band. “It just makes sense for people to get behind something like this. When a local resident wins big….it benefits us all”, says McDaniel.
Anyone interested in donating directly to Emma Emma’s “Scholarship” campaign should visit www.emmaleighmusic.com and click on the “Nashville or Bust” tab. For more information, or for Corporate Sponsorship opportunities, please contact Jeff McDaniel at 540-448-2542 or (by email) [email protected].
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