Jackie Bristow, just back from touring with Bonnie Raitt, returns to the Side Door on Sunday

We’re excited to have Jackie Bristow returning to the Side Door this Sunday. Jackie made a name for herself in New Zealand and Australia, before moving to the states to build her career as a singer-songwriter. Palladium audiences remember her from her great opening set with Tommy Emmanuel and a previous show a the Side Door.

 

 

She just returned a few days ago from a tour of New Zealand opening for Bonnie Raitt. In this interview, I talked with Jackie about her move to the U.S., her appearances with top stars and her new album.

  

 

PALLADIUMPAUL:    You were born in New Zealand and lived in Australia early in your career. Why did you decide to come to the U.S.? You had a lot of success down under.

 

 

JACKIE BRISTOW: Yes I had a pretty good career in Australia when I left and I did leave a lot behind on every level, friends and family, it was a huge move, a bigger commitment that I had realized at the time.  I was quite naive to think I could move to LA and get my career off the ground in 3 months; it’s more like 10 years.   It is a big commitment and very difficult you either sink or swim but America has been very good to me and I have developed as an artist on my journey over the past seven years. 

 

 

 

I decided to move to America as I first recorded here in 2000 when I had a major label deal and was recording my debut album, “Thirsty”.   I found USA very exciting and there is a great energy here.  It hard to explain but as tough as it can be at times there is still the possibility for dreams to come true.  

 

 

I relocated in 2005 after the release of my first album 2003. I had had some great supports touring with people like Art Garfunkel, playing venues like the Sydney Opera house and a lot of great TV placements and appearances.  However I did not get radio play in Australia and there was no opening for me at that time for commercial success and so I thought for my music and audience to grow I needed to take a huge leap of faith and I moved to America. 

 

 

This was a shock to the system and I went through some highs and some big lows dealing with the changes, loss of income, building my profile from the ground again, I had to start from scratch.  It was a big adjustment and very much missed my friends, family and home, all the people that knew me, all the familiar things.    But I am a pretty lucky person and I met some wonderful people in Los Angeles where I was based at the time, I made some great friends and I collaborated with some very talented American musicians.  I recorded my second album “Crazy Love” at this time.  

 

 

I had visited Austin during SXSW and decided I loved the town and I moved down there.  Austin is the live music capitol of the world and there was a lot of work and I could support myself as a full time working musician and develop more as an artist.  I found Austin very inspiring and it was there I learned how to manage myself as an indie artist. I recorded my third album “Freedom’ in Austin.

 

 

When I moved to Austin in 2008, I was an indie artist with only a few bucks in my pocket, I needed to make it work.  I got a lot of local gigs and started touring around Texas building my name and profile.   I have opened for some major artists, I am touring all over the states, I have made some great friends all over the US who have supported and helped me along the way.  I am creating new music all the time and I am happy to continue develop my craft and audience.

 

 

PALLADIUMPAUL:    So it sounds like the move has paid off.   

 

 

JACKIE BRISTOW: There are so many ways of measuring success. Music brought me America, the birth place of the Blues and Rock n Roll and so much great acoustic music.   You can’t buy experience and I have worked with some of the greatest players, opened for major stars and had the opportunity to collaborate with world class players.  It has been a slow build for me and I am proud of my achievements and also happy that I have never sold out and I have stayed true to my music and my heart.  I do hope in the years to come that I can get more commercial success and see some financial rewards.  

 

 PALLADIUMPAUL:     You’ve been fortunate to open for some of the biggest names in music. Can you talk about some of your favorite moments as an opener?

 

 

JACKIE BRISTOW:  It’s a huge compliment.  I have been honored to open for such quality artists.

 

 

Here are some of my favorite moments:  

 

 

• When I opened for Art Garfunkel at the Sydney Opera house, my Mum and Dad flew over New Zealand, being from small rural town they were very excited to be walking up the stairs of the Sydney Opera House to see their daughter perform, during the show I told the crowd they were in the room and had flown over from New Zealand and the whole crowd starting clapping, It was really funny, my dad wondered if he should stand up and wave.  Art Garfunkel was very nice and sang beautifully. 

 

 

• Another tour which was a huge high light was opening for Tommy Emmanuel.  I was invited every night during his show to perform a song with him, one particular night we were playing in Chico in this beautiful auditorium and after my song we received a standing ovation from over 2000 people, it felt amazing. Tommy is one of the most talented generous people, I love him. 

 

 

• Then the most recent highlight would be opening for Bonnie Raitt who is the Queen in every way, what an amazing woman, such a generous kind person with a great sense of humor.  Bonnie is one of my musical heroes so when she chose me to open for her it was a dream come true.  I will never forget the night Bonnie sat side stage and watched my show; afterwards she hugged me and said “You have it all”.  Songs, voice and guitar.  Moments like these are what keep me going.

 

 

 

PALLADIUMPAUL:      What can we expect from your show coming up at the Palladium? Any new material?

 

 

JACKIE BRISTOW:  Yes I will be singing new songs, I have 3 recorded albums and working on my 4th album I plan to record this year.  I will be singing songs from all 4 albums.  I also will be joined by Mark Punch on guitar.  Mark is from Australia, one of my all-time favorite guitarists.  I have always played solo when I was in Florida but I am thrilled to have Mark on guitar.  I am really looking forward to playing the Palladium Theatre again where I first played 2 years ago with Tommy Emmanuel and happy that Caberfeidh Productions are bringing me back to town.

 

For tickets and information visit www.mypalladium.org or call the box office at 727 822-3590.  Jackie’s show is presented by our friends at Caberfeidh Productions.