10 minutes with…Gina Jeffreys

With a string of awards to her name, legions of adoring fans, a talented music producer for a husband, plus a young son, Gina Jeffreys’ life is riding another high as her new album Walks of Life gathers critical acclaim. We spoke to her during her current national tour.

What’s it like being back on the road touring after a break of four years?
It’s wonderful to be making live music again. It really is quite addictive, the feeling you get when you perform to a live audience – I almost forgot how much I love it!

How has your husband influenced your music sound over the years?
Rod has a wealth of musical knowledge and a huge CD collection. I’m not the first person who’s been influenced by his beautiful musical taste. He has introduced me to music I’d never heard of and now love! He often meets people, gets to know what they like and then says, “Well if you like that, I think you would really love...”

Where do you get inspiration for creating new sounds in what’s essentially a traditional genre of music?
Country music is about real people and the everyday things that happen. I try to write songs about real stuff in my life and if I’m lucky, people will connect with it. Musically, I love the traditional sounds of acoustic instruments like the banjo, mandolin, fiddle and guitar with lots of beautiful harmonies. I think country is coming full circle back to its roots − honest and raw.

Why does country music have such an enduring appeal?
Country fans are loyal. If they love your first record, they will just keep supporting you. It’s almost like a big family here in Australia. Wherever we travel, we run into familiar faces who come to every show. I love that about it! Everybody knows everybody.

Critics are saying this is your best album yet. How do you respond?
I feel so proud because I think it’s my best album too. The reason, I think, is because my husband Rod and I worked on it together. I think you can hear the love between us. It’s so honest, so me… because nobody knows me like Rod.

Is there somewhere you still dream of performing one day?
My dream of singing on “The Grand Ole Opry” stage in Nashville came true a few years back and it feels good to have done something I dreamed of when I was a little girl. Now I just love to sing to a crowd who loves their music, it doesn’t really matter where.

You’re a country girl, but what city do you think you could live in?
I absolutely love Brisbane. I’m from Queensland originally and never actually lived in Brisbane, but I just love the city, the relaxed people and everything about it!

You’ve been working with the Leukaemia Foundation for over a decade now. What has it taught you?
I am most proud of my work with the Foundation out of everything I’ve done in my whole career. It’s taught me to be more charitable, be a better person but above all, a better parent to our little four-year-old boy. He knows that we’re a family who help others, and I love that so much!

How has your son Jackson changed you as a person?
Having Jackson has been the best thing I’ve ever done! He has grounded me, slowed me down and taught me more about being a good human being than I’ve learnt in my entire life. I never knew I could love this big! Having kids puts everything in perspective – now I really know what matters most.