In 2023, Gore country artist Jackie Bristow ran a series of workshops under the name SongCatcher, aiming to empower youth through songwriting and help kids find their voices. The resulting compilation of songs was written in collaboration with a bunch of talented tamariki from Tāhuna Queenstown and Wānaka.

Who is SongCatcher aimed at?

SongCatcher is aimed at kids between 7 and 16 years old and is about finding your happy place. All you need is an interest in songwriting, words, and music.

It has been an incredible journey, nurturing their creativity and providing a safe space for them to explore and discover their own gifts and talents – not only as songwriters but also as singers and performers. It has been a joy to share this growth with their families, friends and communities and tap into talent that may have been left undiscovered. Freya Jeffery (Reach The Highest Peak) is an exceptional singer, but before Freya joined this programme her parents didn’t know she could sing! They are writing songs relatable for their age group to process and express their feelings.

How did you find the right partners to get the ball rolling?

It was such an organic process that I fell into during Covid-19 and was a surprising silver lining for me. My tours in the USA and Europe had been cancelled and I couldn’t return to my home in Nashville. Bill Moran, my mentor and supporter, suggested I do a one-day songwriting workshop for Turn Up The Music, and the seeds were sown. It was such a positive outcome that I partnered with Youthtown NZ, and with their support I have been developing the SongCatcher songwriting program.

What was the rough timeline, from first talks with stakeholders to having a group of kids in the room?

We have had two-hour holiday workshops and a 10 week hour-long introduction program. Some children have been coming for three years as they wanted to continue and we make this an option for the kids that want to continue writing and developing.

What in your pitch convinced Youthtown to back the project?

Youthtown NZ came on board two years ago after an eight-week pilot in Queenstown. I had some gorgeous songs to share, and they could see the positive effect it had on the children. Our values were very aligned and they could see the benefits, not only creatively but also emotionally.

Youthtown are amazing to work with. They are a fabulous organisation and I am a proud brand ambassador. I was very lucky to meet Bill Moran, who has mentored and guided me for the past few years with this program, and he was the person who connected me with Youthtown NZ.

Which pool of NZOA funding did it fall under?

NZ On Air supported ‘Jackie B and the Mini Band’. This project was born out of the SongCatcher program. It is a project with children aged between 7 and 11 years old, in two separate groups. NZ On Air has supported two recording/video grants and two video grants.

How did you find your first round of girls, and what were your criteria for choosing them?

I did not choose the children, we just put it out there and a small group of kids signed up. Then the program grew through word of mouth in the community. Some of the kids have shown up to class with ukulele and guitars. However, they do not need to play an instrument as we are songwriting and I mostly play the guitar in the early stages of the program.

Where do you run the program from and record the music?

I teach in two fabulous venues – Te Atamira in Queenstown and the Wānaka Community Hub in Wānaka. I managed the recordings outside the program timeline and we recorded the vocals in Queenstown and Kurow (Sublime Studios). The tracks were produced by myself and Mark Punch in Nashville, and Nash Chambers mastered the EP.

What’s your trick to help kids to open up and get started on lyrics?

We have fun with it, and it seems to come naturally to me. I guess I have been doing it a long time and even though I write mostly alone for my albums, I have done a lot of co-writing over the years in the US. I am sure that has helped.

Actually, the lyric content has blown me away. They have such open imaginations and some real depth. Kids are writing and connecting with where they are in their stage of life and their songs will connect to other kids their age. I have felt really proud of the lyrics on the EP and the Mini Band songs.

Have you learnt stuff from the kids?

I have learnt a lot from them, understanding the challenges they face. The pressure they feel in the modern world with social media, and then, on the flip side the pure joy and excitement they feel when they come up with a great idea. It is infectious and I leave feeling happy too.

What would you change up if you were to do it again?

I would keep the groups small – no more than 6 or 7 in a group, so everyone gets to contribute and connect. I would also group kids of the same age, as there is a big difference between 7 and 11, and what they want to write about is quite different. My two most successful groups were all the same age and smaller groups.

What’s your main takeaway from running the programme?

SongCatcher is a big passion project for me and I have found it very rewarding. Like any new project or program, it takes a lot of work to develop, but my passion drives me. The parents also play a huge part in this and they are all supportive, excited and great to work with.

I am proud to inspire creativity and that can change someone’s life in such a positive way. I know this first hand as I had a school teacher at primary school in Gore – Mr Walter Hailes at St Mary’s School – and he changed the trajectory of my life. His classroom was filled with music, and he encouraged every student to sing and play.

I had a natural calling as a young person to be a songwriter, but I kept the songs secret as I didn’t have the confidence to share and expose my feelings. It feels good to give the kids a safe space to create and to build confidence and belief in their art. Teaching the craft of songwriting whilst also providing a platform for these amazing songs and relevant messages to be shared – you just don’t know where the road will lead.