Local Talent: Gabrielle McCaghren
By Victoria Stewart
It’s not every day you hear someone as gifted as Gabrielle McCaghren. The 17 year old is a singer, songwriter, guitarist, pianist, and violinist. A self- taught musician, she brings a style all her own to her performances. She has a sense of humor she sometimes shares with the audience, and with her perfect pitch voice and original songs, Gabrielle McCaghren is surprisingly refreshing with unbelievable songwriting skills.
Born in Decatur, Alabama, Gabrielle moved to Panama City with her parents when she was 3 years old. She is the daughter of Michelle McCaghren, a local performing arts teacher at Oakland Terrace. Her father is Paxton McCaghren, a man with many degrees who taught English at Bay High School and is also actively involved in theatre. Gabrielle has been performing in plays and singing from the age of 4 years old . One of her first memories is listening to her parents rehearse for Jesus Christ Superstar as she was falling asleep at a very young age. When she was 10 she decided singing and songwriting was what she truly wanted to do.
In 3rd grade she began taking violin lessons at Oakland Terrace and singing in the choir. In 5th grade she won her first singing competition. Gabrielle graduated from Moseley High School this past June and will be pursuing a music degree. She will be attending Gulf Coast State College in the fall in pursuit of her associates degree.
On stage, Gabrielle says she loves watching audiences relate to her music, having a good time because of it. Becoming a singer / songwriter is what she is aspiring to be . When you go to see her play and sing, you might notice a notebook sitting close by to pen down the audience’s requests for covers or ideas for a topic they would like her to write a about. The requests give her insight of how people view her as an artist, provide inspiration, and
allow her to connect with her listeners. Her music is relatable, with melodies of real life experiences and fictitious stories that are incredibly diverse. She has the ability to catch an audience off-guard.
One of the bands that has inspired her is My Chemical Romance. They formed following the events of 9/11. Gabrielle admires the fact that they never lost sight of what was really important to them. Even as they increased in popularity, they always stayed focused on helping others. Another inspiration for Gabrielle is Damien Rice with his very raw and emotional writing style.
Gabrielle McCaghren is playing around Panama City at a variety of venues. She was one of the first artists to perform Downtown Panama City on Harrison Avenue for Music Matters. She has also performed at The Little Village, G. Foleys, the Marina Civic Center, and 30 Degree Blue, just to mention a few, and has also appeared on local radio stations. She is working on a music video this summer. Gabrielle shares some advice with aspiring musicians: “Don’t get caught up in so much of what other people want from you. Music is a very personal thing, and it is a language of talking to other people, and part of that language is being very open. It is very emotional when you’re writing and when you’re performing . You really have to give all of yourself to that performance or that song or else you’re not giving yourself at all. And never lose sight of who you are as a musician; never try to become something you’re not. The important thing about your style as a musician is to make sure that it comes naturally to you and it’s something you’re not forcing.”
Find Gabrielle McCaghren’s song “Honey, slow down” on Youtube and be ready to be amazed.
[author image=”https://www.panamacityliving.com/media/2014/07/Victoria-Stewart.jpg” ]Victoria has lived in Panama City for the past 40 years. She has worked as a Government Contractor for most of her working life. She is an avid fitness enthusiast and runner. Raised in a family who was immersed in music, she plays guitar and is a founding member of Music Matters. Together with husband Crook Stewart III, they host a monthly music jam at their home where musicians come to network. The venue is known as the “The Ghetto Palace” and has become a Music Mecca where local talent comes to play. Following the success of The Ghetto Palace, Victoria and Crook founded “Music Matters” an initiative that brings life and music to downtown Panama City.[/author]