2019 SONGFEST NEWCOMER! DON’T MISS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO SEE GINA PERFORM LIVE THIS YEAR!
Gina Venier stylishly combines her soulful blues roots and pop influences to create an original sound that defies fitting into a genre.
Raised in the small town of Dixon, IL, Venier pulls from her dad’s musical background as a blues musician to find inspiration behind her unique style and stage presence.
In the summer of 2012, Venier auditioned for Chicago’s largest singing competition “Bar 1 Big Break.” After showcasing her creative versatility and artistry on piano, guitar, and drums, she made it through the 10 rounds of auditions. At the finale, Venier performed an original song “Enough For Me,” and won.
After winning the competition, Venier began playing more shows in the Chicago scene and writing songs.
In 2013, Venier moved to Nashville where she began to focus entirely on compiling her original catalog.
She played the Nashville scene as both an artist, and as a writer and drummer for other artists in town.
n 2014, while living in Nashville, Venier auditioned for Season 14 of Fox’s American Idol.
“I had heard the show was holding auditions in town, and since I was living down the street from where they were, I felt like I had to show up and try it.”
With her soulful voice, and “one woman-band” set up of cajon, kick pedal, guitar, and “lucky egg,” Venier wow-ed producers and judges with her first audition of ZZ Ward’s “Put The Gun Down.” After all three judges gave her a “yes” she was through to Hollywood. Keith Urban, Jennifer Lopez, and Harry Conick Jr. were continually surprised and impressed by the unique performances she brought to the show.
Currently, Gina continues performing, writing, and accumulating original works leading up to her first record release.