In recent years, TV talent reality shows have been the launching pad for country music recording artists. The successful recording careers of Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, Bucky Covington and others have resulted after they were “discovered” on these shows. For several years now, record label executives have speculated that it would be just a matter of time before a Country Star would emerge from the internet.
       Sixteen-year-old Veronica Ballestrini could very well become country music’s first star to do just that. She inked a major recording contract last month with Country Thunder Records and also a major management deal with Graham Artist Management. The label roster includes the group Heartland, and Graham also manages Trick Pony, Jamie Lee Thurston and Rio Grand.
     Her statistics on the internet are incredible with over 3 million hits on her Myspace website and over 34,000 fans signed on to her site as fans and friends. Ballestrini’s other major credits include: the best over-all country artist at the USA World Showcase competition at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV in November of 2006, singing the National Anthem at various sports events including the WMBA All-star Game this summer, the celebrity host at the RisingSuperstar.com concert this fall at the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville along with Brian White, and countless other performances around the country. Her star power potential is evidenced by her #1 music video on Musictone.com in November of 2007 as determined by music fans voting, eclipsing videos by Hilary Duff, Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift. The video, “What’s Up With That” was directed by Glenn Switzer with the music recorded by Nashville producer Dennis Money.
The Nashville Connection
      Through her Myspace site, a couple of Nashville producers contacted her about recording in Music City. On her 15th birthday, her family surprised her with a round trip ticket to Nashville “to pursue her dream.” However, the thrill of Nashville soon became a disappointment after meeting with the producers who contacted her and not being able to come to any type of recording agreement. That’s when fate stepped in. Ballestrini and her dad hit the streets, and they went to a major recording label on 16th Ave. where the receptionist promptly escorted them to the door saying they would need to have an appointment. Ballestrini mentioned to her Dad after this rejection, “How about this place across the street with the Evergreen Recording Studio sign. Let’s try there.”
       At first they received a similar rejection from the office gatekeeper, Robert Lewis, but Veronica Ballestrini was persistent saying, “We’ve come a long way, oh please just listen to my music, please, please.” As fate would have it producer Dennis Money was in his downstairs recording studio, and Robert Lewis asked him, “Dennis, I got a feeling about this girl. Can you meet with her for five minutes? She’s got such a sweet little voice I didn’t want to tell her no.” Money, who has worked with almost everyone in this town and just recently produced Mo Bandy’s last album, was awestruck, for Robert Lewis had never approached him about meeting with any “wannabe” coming off the streets.
       In Dennis Money’s own words, “Veronica, her dad and me instantly hit it off. We decided from that initial meeting to keep in touch. After further cementing our relationship over the next several months, we went ahead and produced several tracks on her with Nashville’s best writers and musicians.” Money pitched her recording project to the major labels, got several offers, and recommended that they accept Country Thunder’s offer because it was the best deal in terms of publicity, promotions and management. The rest will be history.
The Artist, Her Music and Her Roots
      Veronica Ballestrini is a country rocker with a sassy but yet still sweet melodic voice. Her singing style can best be described as a young Shania Twain. One of the songs to look for in upcoming releases will be “What’s Up with That” written by Brian Keith Burns and Joe Diffie and produced by Dennis Money. In Money’s own words, “Veronica is a high energy rockin’ singer headed to the top with a great attitude. She works hard, and you can look for her to make an impact on major country radio next year. You can bank on it.”
       Ballestrini’s home town is Waterford, Connecticut, and she told NMG, “My first direct musical influence was my older brother, who formed a garage band and played drums and guitar. I used to hang out with him and his friends and listen to their music. My inspiration to learn to play the guitar was Keith Urban.” At 13, she started her Myspace page, but her popularity on Myspace did not skyrocket until she recorded and uploaded the song, “Daddy”, which she wrote in half  an hour.
The Future
     For this rising star, the future is looking very bright indeed with a guitar endorsement from Morgan Monroe Guitars under her belt and the anticipated release of her first major release to radio as a Country Thunder Recording Artist. Check out her music yourself and you’ll become an instant fan. www.myspace.com/veronicaballestrini