Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Bella Garland. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Bella , appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on has been writing and performing two songs for Golden Globe and Emmy Award Winning Hollywood Actress Jane Seymour and civil rights legend Xernona Clayton at the 2022 Celebrity Care Fest. After hearing my songs at the 2022 Bradenton River Regatta, Elliott Falcione (director of Bradenton Tourism) reached out and asked me to write two songs for Celebrity Care Fest, which is a yearly event where celebrities come together and raise money for charity. Jane Seymour’s Open Heart Foundation was the charity being honored that year, and I was asked to write two songs inspired by opening ones heart and the topic of unity. These two special and impactful songs, “The Answer Is Love” and “Stand With You”, are on all platforms now! I was flown out to Pittsburgh where I performed my two songs in front of a star-studded audience including Jane Seymour, The Jacksons, Lou Gramm from Foreigner, The Temptations, several athletes from the NFL Steelers and more. It was an honor, and it was one of my proudest moments of my career thus far. It has opened so many doors for me musically, and it allowed me to aid in raising awareness for charities and causes very dear to my heart.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’ve been writing songs since I was 13 years old, and singing since I could talk. I moved to Nashville, TN in 2020 to pursue my music and study songwriting and voice at Belmont University. I use my music as a way to express myself and connect with others. I love storytelling and helping people feel less alone, and there is nothing more important to me than the way my music comforts and joins people together. What sets me apart from others is that my music is extremely personal and raw. My songs are my diary entries, but I keep them just universal enough to where other people can connect the music back to their own lives. In addition to singing and writing, I play piano, guitar, and the ukulele. I have several self-written songs out on Spotify and other platforms, as well as over 12K Instagram followers that are growing more and more every day. One of my proudest moments was being asked to write two songs inspired by and for Hollywood Actress Jane Seymour and civil rights legend Xernona Clayton at the 2022 Celebrity Care Fest, where I got to perform the two original songs for Jane Seymour, Xernona Clayton, The Jacksons, The Temptations, Lou Gramm from Foreigner, and even athletes from the NFL Steelers. Another one of my proudest moments was winning the Bluebird Cafe Golden Pick Contest in July 2021. The Bluebird Cafe is an iconic venue in Nashville, TN where artists such as Taylor Swift and Garth Brooks have gotten their start. Many of my artist influences play there regularly, and it was an honor to be recognized by the Bluebird! I now have played the Bluebird 4 times, and I am playing my fifth time in October. I want my listeners to know that my songs are authentic and from my heart. I want them to know that music has been here for me since I was a little girl, and I want to repay the favor by creating art that heals and brings people together. I will never stop working hard and being thankful for the support I receive.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I have amassed a large following on social media, especially Instagram. I have over 12K Instagram followers, and they are growing every day. Nowadays, social media is a huge medium for sharing music and discovering new artists. I started posting music online when I was around 17 years old, and consistency and authenticity have been two of the biggest reasons for my success. I try to make content that is authentic rather than manufactured, so that I can connect with people on a more personal level. I also try to be consistent in the content I share. I like to share behind the scenes of me in the studio, and I even have a new series called “Song Diaries” where I talk about the stories behind some of my favorite original songs. I also do fun trends with my followers such as Disney Day, where I have them vote each week for a Disney song and then sing a cover of it for them. I make sure to read my messages as much as I can, as well as try to get to know the people who support me. Without them, I would not be doing what I do, and I am incredibly grateful.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative is helping people through my music. Some of my most fulfilling moments are when a listener tells me one of my songs helped them realize they deserve better than their toxic relationship, or reminded them that they must keep going even though life can be difficult. It makes all the struggles I have gone through in my life worth it. I think that a lot of us share more in common than we think, especially when it comes to feelings such as heartbreak, pain, and even bliss. I want to be the person that puts those feelings to music.  

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bellagarland.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bellagarlandmusic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bellagarlandmusic?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/bellagarlandd
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ8L7uFWsBaKo8RBGNQuHyg

Image Credits
Photo of me against yellow wall and in red dress – Taken by Erin McCaffrey