We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jackie Bristow. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jackie below.

Jackie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I’m Jackie Bristow, a singer-songwriter originally from the small town of Gore, New Zealand — the country music capital of Aotearoa. For me, becoming a full-time creative was never a decision — it just happened. It was a very organic path. I fell in love with music from an early age, learning guitar at my primary school in Gore where we would sing hymns in class. Music was in the family — my Nana was a piano teacher and played the organ at church, and it was her cousin, Mr. Walter Hailes, who first taught me how to play the ukulele and guitar. My mum, who was a teenage bride and young mother, didn’t get the chance to pursue music professionally, but she’s an incredible artist. She loved music too — she used to sing to us and play guitar at home.

Gore hosts an annual country music festival called the Gold Guitar Awards, and my sister Katrina and I started performing there when we were young. We spent a decade performing as The Bristow Sisters, traveling around New Zealand with Mum and Dad in an old Ford Falcon towing a vintage caravan. One classic story I’ll never forget — we were driving from a summer holiday in Alexandra to perform in Roxburgh. Dad, a mechanic, was behind the wheel, but the car started overheating trying to pull the caravan up the hill. It eventually broke down. Katrina and I, already fully committed to our music, grabbed our chord charts and performing outfits (handmade by our Nana, Molly Scully), slipped on our cowboy boots — which we’d spent years growing into — and hitchhiked to the competition. When Mum and Dad finally arrived, we were already on stage, singing our hearts out. We won! First prize was opening for Kiwi legends The Topp Twins. I was around 13, and Katrina was only 10.

Jackie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a full-time artist, and I’ve had a life in music. I’m currently working on my sixth studio album, and even after decades of making a living through music, my love for it still shines just as bright.

As I mentioned earlier, I grew up in Gore, New Zealand — a small rural town known as the country music capital of Aotearoa. Music was woven into the fabric of our family life. My Nana played the church organ and taught piano, and my mum — a young mother and talented visual artist — used to sing and play guitar at home. I learned guitar at primary school and started singing hymns and performing with my sister Katrina at local festivals.

In my teens, I joined cover bands and started singing in pubs and bars — my first introduction to the music business without the protection of my parents. That scene brought real challenges, and I quickly realized it wasn’t for me. Still, I had a deep longing for something more. I didn’t know exactly what it was — only that I felt pulled toward a bigger world. I knew, without knowing how, that I needed to go and find my people. And I did. It was like the world opened up to me.

I was struggling to find my feet at the time, and to lift my spirits, my mum bought me a ticket to Sydney for my birthday — not realizing it would turn into a one-way journey. Sydney was so good to me. It’s where I truly found my footing as an artist and began believing in myself as a songwriter. I started writing and recording original music, performing at venues that embraced creativity and authenticity, and I was lucky to work with legendary producers and musicians like Mark Punch and Matt Fell. I signed with Mushroom Publishing and Liberation Records in 1999, thanks to the belief and support of my then-manager Norman Parkhill — who discovered me through a demo cassette I sent on a whim.

One of the highlights of that time was opening for Art Garfunkel at the Sydney Opera House. I was full of hope, inspiration, and ambition. I wanted to make a great record — and I poured everything into writing and recording. Sydney truly shaped me.

That period was also my first taste of international opportunities. I traveled to Los Angeles with Norman, stayed at Le Parc in West Hollywood, and recorded with Grammy-winning producers like Larry Klein and songwriting teams like The Matrix. I co-wrote with hitmakers like Tom Snow, and I fell in love with America. We also visited Nashville, where I recorded with producer David Leonard — another mind-blowing experience that planted the seeds for what would become my American chapter.

Looking back, it was a wild ride for a sheltered, naive girl from Gore. And while there were highs, there were definitely lows. The music industry is full of incredible people — but also its fair share of sharks — and I met mine. But that’s a story for another day.

In 2005, I moved to the U.S. full-time — living in Los Angeles, then Austin, and now Nashville. I’ve toured the world, released five studio albums (with Goldmine, my sixth, on the way), and opened for artists like Bonnie Raitt, Chris Isaak, Tommy Emmanuel, Boz Scaggs, and more. My songs have been featured in major TV shows including Young Sheldon, Euphoria, and The Way Home. It’s been a wonderful journey — with so many stories to tell.

During COVID, I founded SongCatcher Youth Trust, empowering young songwriters — especially girls — by helping them write, record, and release their own music. I’m also in the process of launching SongCatcher Synch, my own licensing company representing my catalog and other independent artists. And right now, I’m preparing to tour Europe again with my longtime musical partner Mark Punch.

What sets my work apart is that it comes from a real place — a life fully lived in music, built on passion, perseverance, and a deep belief in the power of song. I’ve never chased trends. I’ve simply followed my heart and my love of music — and it’s taken me on a journey I never dreamed possible for a young girl from Gore.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

“My passion lies in music and living an authentic life doing what I love. At this stage, there’s no turning back, I’m committed to keep making a living through my art.”

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

“The most rewarding thing music does for me is connecting with my heart and my feelings, And it is the pure high of writing a song and the magic of live performance. It fills me with joy — there’s nothing else like it.” I need it and I cannot live without this in my life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jackiebristow.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackiebristow/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JackieBristowMusic/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@jackiebristow?si=TEOHcT-xUKZz6rH3
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7zdcCbbwjjBh7dHEfIUzyJ?si=cJql2dW_S2Gu8sFahpM8CA

Image Credits

Live shot – Jenny Coxon
Other photos – Stacie Huckeba