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Opry North

Name: Teagan Beedell

Age: 21

Birth date: March 17, 1981

Birth place: Alliston, Ontario

Home town: Okotoks, Alberta

Resides in: Okotoks, Alberta

Pets: “Brandy” - 1 year old puppy & “Freckles” - Quarter Horse

Group name: ‘Teagan Beedell

Instruments played: Piano, guitar; I’ve also dabbled with fiddle, trumpet, organ.

Started performing at age: My mom swears I started the minute I was born, but the first time I remember singing for an audience I was about three.

Most memorable performance: I did a Nashville North Showcase in 1999 a couple of hours before Paul Brandt taped a special for CMT. The tent was packed!!!

What do you do to relax: Read, write music, play with my dog, horseback ride, dance and teach.

Finished CD’s: “Silver Rush” (released June 2001)

“Everything I’m Not” - single on Nashville North compilation, 1999

CD’s for sale: “Silver Rush”

Management: Silver Ridge Productions

RR# 3 High River,

Alberta, Canada T1V 1N3

(403) 652-4357

Contact: Ricki or Teagan Beedell

Record label: Independent

Website: http://www.teagan.ca

One of the most enjoyable parts of being involved in this industry has to be making the acquaintance of so many amazingly talented, determined, hopeful and refreshing young people. They are trying in so many new, innovative ways to work their dreams into their lives, knowing that the road won’t always go the way they want it to but not giving up and not donning the ‘rose coloured glasses’ that could lead to disappointment. Many of them will persevere, some will be swayed to go another way and some may eventually give up as the years start to add up. But they all leave an impression on us. Some become much loved friends, and whether or not they become the ‘superstar’ of their dreams or take another road won’t make any difference to us – we’re their biggest fans, no matter what.

One such artist is a young lady we’ve begun to ‘get to know’ through our correspondence over the past few months. Teagan Beedell began life in Ontario but grew up in Alberta, home of many female contributors to the world of country music. She is not just a vocalist; she’s an entertainer – with training in dance, teaching voice and with a full roster of ‘extracurricular activities’ promoting involvement in the arts to others. At just twenty-one she’s already performed at the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede for the past ten years, from the Youth Talent Showdown to the ‘prestigious Nashville North stage’. This young lady knows what she wants and has a realistic view of how to get there; any doubt of that and look at her current educational path – she’s pursuing a ‘marketing degree with a focus in Fine Arts management’. This brings to mind another enterprising singer-songwriter who wanted to learn about her craft from both sides of the ‘glass wall’ of a studio. Carolyn Dawn Johnson took her education in sound engineering to heart as a songwriter, learning how to manipulate the melody she could create from every side to get the exact results she wanted. Did it pay off? Every single so far to the top of the charts…you figure it out. Teagan has been displaying that same tenacity, taking her natural assets and learning how to use them to her advantage. She’s been maintaining a steady amount of exposure in and around her home province of Alberta and has performed at countless country music events over the years.

With this amount of level headedness, talent and foresight I can see Teagan going exactly where she wants to go. Her songwriting has been taking off, getting notice and airplay around the world. Her ability to entertain is not even a question at this point. With the degree in Fine Arts Management she’ll be earning from the University of Calgary she’ll have the ‘business acumen’ to understand the dealings of self-promotion and marketing strategies necessary to be a success. And with good old-fashioned Canadian common sense and grounding you can bet that she’ll always be a breath of fresh air, no matter where she goes. Happy Birthday Teagan. Twenty-one is just the beginning…

When Teagan sent her promo package to us she’d also taken the time to fill out the questions posted on the website, to allow the visitors that come to Opry North to learn a little more about her. To be honest, I think I’d have been surprised if she didn’t…she pays attention to detail with an intensity that I’m not used to in an artist, but then I don’t know any other artists who are getting a degree in fine arts management either. As you’ll see from the answers, Teagan is extremely thorough and her career is well thought out, a definite must-read for those just starting out or who may need a little advice.

Q: Looking back on your earliest experiences in the music industry what did you learn that made the most difference at that time?

“Be yourself! There is already a Shania and a Reba and a Terri. You have to be something new and genuine.”

Q: What is the one part of the music industry that you had to learn about that you hadn’t really thought of when you started out?

“All of the technical aspects (lighting, sound equipment, etc.) There isn’t always someone to do it for you.”

Q: What two things would you say are the most important things to do or have to succeed to the level you’d wanted to out of the following: practice, ambition/determination, organizational ability, creating enough buzz.

“I think that ambition is the most important. I think that talent is of course essential, but that it is not the most talented people who succeed, but those who want it and pursue it. You have to be smart and dedicated.”

Q: Being aware of the highly competitive nature of the music industry were you given any guidance or support from established performers on your way up, and how valuable has that been?

“When I was very young, a very kind young man heard me singing at a rehearsal and told my parents that I had a great talent. We were flattered, but didn’t think much about it. A few months later we saw that young man on TV promoting his new CD “Calm Before The Storm”. Aside from Paul, a number of people have been very kind and supportive over the years.”

Q: The world of press kits, promo shots, making contacts and networking may seem overwhelming to someone just starting out. What’s the best advice you could give someone regarding getting all this sorted out?

“Do not put out any money without doing your research first! You always want to look professional but it does not require the most expensive of everything, especially when you are starting out.”

Q: As an up & coming artist did you find it was difficult to get your name and your sound out into the public at times? That there was a shortage of showcase media be it print or electronic to fill the void between the clubs and the stadiums?

“Yes! There are some great venues/media opportunities out there, but there seems to be a very big ‘hole’ between the clubs and the ‘big’ venues. You have to fill in with what ever you can find!”

Q: Looking back, do you feel that focusing on being a songwriter, learning about producing or learning about the whole process was the thing you should have done as opposed to what you did do? Or, are you satisfied with your route and wouldn’t have changed a thing?

“I still have a lot to learn, but I have no regrets. I still want to learn about producing and I continue to learn as I write songs.”

Q: With success comes a lot of responsibility. How do you decide when it’s time to delegate some of the load, who to delegate to and what you’ll keep for yourself?

“I am lucky to have a very supportive (and talented) group of family and close friends. My ‘mom’ager (like manager) Ricki, is very helpful and we usually tackle tasks together.”

Q: If the success you’ve worked for seems to be overwhelming you and you’d like to step back for a breather is that acceptable or is there pressure to keep the push on while you’re hot?

“I’m not at a point where I feel the need to step back. I love what I am doing, so we just go out there and keep doing it! If I ever need to back off for a while, I know that I can.”

Q: Some people are content to stay on the same path they’ve always been on after they’re successful. Others see it as a good time to show versatility and go in a different direction. Not always to people’s liking. Can you see yourself breaking out into a slightly different direction instead of staying on the safe road?

“I will always perform/record music that I love. I think that just like people, music evolves and changes over time. As long as it is music that I believe in, I can see my music diversifying over my career.”

Q: The team you choose to help out when things take off plays a large part in how stress free things become. What qualities must you look for to be sure the person you’ve chosen is right for the team?

“I surround myself with people who are genuine and love the music. I have to be convinced that they truly believe in me and in my music.”

Q: With the arrival of the cyber age, with online stores, MP3’s and the like how do you see the music industry changing? Can you see contracts in the future outlining who has what rights in relation to the Internet?

“I think that the Internet is a fantastic tool for artists. It is hard to predict how things will eventually play out, but I think eventually online rights will be governed by contracts.”

Q: Will there be such an importance in being signed by a major label do you think, with the ability to produce, promote and sell material independently taking off?

“I think we are really approaching an age where Independent artists will thrive. Of course, you can’t compete with the cash that the major labels have, but Indie albums are a fantastic opportunity to retain artistic control.”

Q: Can you see such independent productions being accepted into the same leagues as the major label productions by both or either the industry or public?

“No. I think that there will always be a distinction. I do think that there is a segment of the market that will support and even prefer the Independent artists.”

Q: What, if any, preparation did you have to do to get started or advance? Has there been vocal, dance, maybe business instruction along the way?

“I am in the midst of a Bachelor of Commerce (marketing major) at the University of Calgary because I feel that the business aspects are so vital. Although I have no formal vocal training, I have been involved with choirs and have gained the classical background required that way. I have been dancing since I was three.”

Q: What surprised you the most about being in music? What elements caught you off guard or weren’t what you’d expected?

“I have had a wonderful experience in the music industry. I can’t think of anything that really surprised me. I have been researching and reading about the industry since I was a kid, so I think I was more prepared for the hard work than some people are.”

Q: What part of the up & coming process would you change if you could? Or do you feel that everyone should take some bumps along the way?

“I am still going through the process! I think it’s important for everyone to experience some challenges along the way. I think that it is essential to spend time creating a sound and finding out who you are, and that takes time. If things come together too soon you haven’t had time to develop all the tools needed in a career.”

Q: What was it like when you first started recording? How prepared did you feel going in and how prepared were you really?

“Recording is fun, but it also causes anxiety! I like to be very prepared going into the studio. I’ll literally spend months working on songs that I plan to record.”

Q: They say to be good at what you do you have to keep learning. What areas of the music business do you want to start learning more about next?

“I feel like I am constantly learning. There is so much to know and so many sources of information! Right now I am spending time looking at the publishing side of songwriting and how it all works. I would also like to explore the production aspect of recording.”

Q: If you had to choose one part of the music industry and do only that one thing what would it be?

“Sing. I love to write music and I really enjoy the business of it, but I am first and foremost a performer and I’m at my best on stage.”

Q: What did you discover about touring that you hadn’t expected?

“I wouldn’t say it was unexpected, but my touring experiences have confirmed the ‘non-glamorous’ part of things! We’ve had vehicle problems, reservations fall through, etc. I think I have changed into stage clothes at every McDonald’s in Alberta!”

Q: Any tips to make things run smoother?

“Always stay involved in your own career. Even if people mean well, make sure they are answering to you in the long run.”

Q: Are there any projects coming up that you can tell us about?

“We are still promoting the first album, but I am writing and on the lookout for songs for the next one. We are gearing up for a busy summer season!”

Q: What would you like to do 2002 that you haven’t tried before?

“We are hoping to venture a bit farther afield this year. I am planning a trip to Nashville in the spring. It will be our first visit.”

You can bet that this first visit will not be Teagan’s last. Realistic expectations of what is involved in a very ‘dream like’ career choice will help this adventurous young woman through every step. We wish her every success and look forward to catching up with her one day, when our paths will cross. And you watch for her too! That way you can one day say, “I knew her when…”

Written by Kim Jamieson

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