Gemma Bradley Wins Top Christie Hennessy Songwriting Prize

Gemma Bradley from Draperstown has won the top prize at last weekend’s prestigious Christie Hennessey’s song writing competition in Kerry. The 22 year-old's debut song 'Berserk' landed the singer the overall prize of €1000 at the Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) sponsored event, which has given the young songwriter a huge boost.

Following her win, Bradley said “I am so thrilled to be named the winner of this year’s Christie Hennessy competition.  I still can’t believe it. Thanks so much to all of the judges for selecting me. It’s been such a surreal experience.”

This week the young artist is set to release a follow up single, ‘Hollow Heartbeat’, to her award winning debut song.  The emotional, passionate and beautifully written song is suffused with the signature sounds associated with her work.

Bradley is a contemporary R&B student of modern music at the BIMM Institute in Dublin. At the mere age of fifteen Bradley's talent caught the eye of caught the eye of promoter Paddy Glasgow who then booked the budding singer for her first major festival slot. She has since been featured on the Other Voices programme and was a contender at the Big Music Project in London. She is also part of ‘Scratch My Progress’, a 9 month programme run through the Oh Yeah Centre in Belfast which provides mentoring and industry support.

Gemma Bradley will be play at a number of venues over November.

14 November - Oh Yeah, Belfast

18 November Warke's, Atlantic Sessions - Portstewart

27 November - Black Box, Belfast

29 November - American Madness, Belfast

Listen to 'Berserk' below.