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Gail was born into a musical background with both her parents being very good musicians and singers. She was brought up on a small sheep and dairy farm 25 miles north of New Plymouth on the West Coast of the North Island New Zealand.
On this farm she was surrounded by the music of Doris Day , Rosemary Clooney, Hank Snow, Jim Reeves and other American Artists of that era. Gail recalls
many evenings spent with her parents listening to these artists
on their old gramophone which took pride of place in the family lounge. Gail also remembers her father playing a small piano accordion and says he was very good as was her Mother who played the piano. Her Mother , the Superintendent of the local Sunday School taught songs like ‘Shall We Gather At The River’ and Tell Me The Old Old Story’ to many children including herself from the small farming community. She says those songs have influenced her love of country music for what it is today.
Gail’s first solo performance was at a Primary School concert in 1961 at the age of 11 and from that time she knew that singing was to be a big part of her life. At New Plymouth Girl's High School , she took voice lessons, competed in singing competitions, sang in school productions and she also sang in the Baptist Church Choir . When she attended Palmerston North Teachers College she continued with voice training and anticipated becoming an Opera singer but that did not eventuate as marriage and children came along.
After 15 years away from her hometown Gail returned to New Plymouth where she joined a Country Music Club,she
brought an Ovation guitar and started to learn some country songs. After a year singing at the clubs she was invited to join a dance band with two musicians from Iceland who had both come to New Zealand to live. They were both very good musicians and gave Gail the chance
to gain experience entertaining at Working Men's Clubs, RSA’s, Weddings and Country Dances. This band was very popular and there was no shortage of work for them.
In 1991 ,Gail moved to Wellington where she joined other Country Music Clubs and she joined another dance band. The Band Lystica was also in demand
and so she spent a good part of the 90s’ singing with this band at the same sort of venues as she had back in her homeland of Taranaki. It was during the early 90’s that Gail started competing in Country Music Awards and success soon arrived as she gained placings at various Awards around the lower part of the North Island. On one occasion when she got an entry form in the mail she noticed a section for original song writing. Gail had not written any songs before and thought it would be nice to write something for her elderly Mother hence her first song ‘My Mother’s Love is More Precious Than Gold' was written. She got runner up with this song and this gave her the inspiration to start writing more original songs. In 2002 she won a song writing award with a song she had written for her niece's wedding and so at this time she was persuaded by friends to start recording some of her songs ,thus her album "I’m Just A Country Girl at Heart" ‘ came to being. To date the album has done very well and has taken her very high on the World Indie Charts, In August 2006 she came in at no 4 On The World's Most played Artist Chart and at no 3 On Joyce Ramgatie's top 200.
The album is very easy to listen to with a great variety of songs. It has been very well produced by Geoff Duncan of Gherkin Productions, Wellington.
Gail 's album is for sale on CD baby or can be purchased by contacting her personally by email.
Gail presently works in Occupational Therapy in a hospital for the mentally ill,and most weekends see her singing at different Country Clubs around Wellington .She and her partner Peato are frequently asked to appear as Guest Artists also at clubs and on Country Shows and they often do small shows locally .Gail still loves to compete and says she really enjoys it .
.. CDBABY LINK for GAIL RUSSELL: I'm Just A Country Girl At Heart -->
Hi Gail, gosh it's good to hear from you. I love that picture!!! Thank you for remembering me as I will never forget you and that beautiful voice. Gary
Hi Gail well me been slow to get back and say hello and tell you we have you spinning and winter is trying to get going but the lovely days are welcome if it will not rain suppose it is like that over the pond at times to we must been patience will catch up again soon big Hugs Rod
Seashells upon your heart,
the sun shining through
The count in numbers,
numbers, two by two
Stepping stones, one by one,
maturing from a baby born
The daughter of hope,
faith, in charity, of a path torn
Such an atonement,
gentle, suffering in an age of kind
Angels in tune, voices whispering,
a serenade to pamper your soul
Hands guarded in wounds to heal,
a scar in the side of growing old
Each new day, a memory,
to halt and think, growing up,
one step at a time
She’ll be right is defined as an Australian/New Zealand
slang term for "it will be ok", generally reflective
of a supposed generally relaxed attitude to life.
Hi Gail, Thanks for that. Would love to get to New Zeland again soon. Went over for a visit in 06 and just loved it.. Really friendly people. Cheers Tracy
Hi Gail Thank you for adding me as a friend, and yes I was the one that played on your song. I really am thrilled to have had the opportunity to play on it. Anytime you want any guitar on more of your songs just ask Gary to contact me. Thanks so much and it is a pleasure to meet you. Dennis
Hugs Gail sweetheart, Would absolutely love to have your new tracks, to air to our listeners. Hope all is well precious. Hugs & God Bless Tina xxx "May the angels always walk by your side"
