About eleven years ago, I was seated on a flight out of Philadelphia to Nashville, Tennessee. I was attending the Americana Music Association Conference and Awards Festival, in September.
A girl sat next to me and all at once, I knew who she was. I had been a fan of her vocals and we had been MySpace friends, at the time. I kind of thought she knew of me however we had never met and now she was sitting right next to me on the same flight.
I introduced myself to her. Her name was Gina Sicilia and at the time I thought she lived in South Jersey or Philadelphia.
We struck up a conversation right away and from that day on we became friends. We even attended a mutual friend's wedding years later and I tried staying in touch with her through the years with my return visits to Nashville. I have been following Gina’s Musical Journey now for the past eleven years.
During Covid, Gina found herself diving into a brand new territory, Cooking and Food, making her very own sauces and dishes. This girl IS on Fire! Always busy, always cooking and singing as she stirs her Italian sauces and delicious dishes she prepares from scratch.
Gina was able to set aside a little time in her hectic schedule to chat with me. Here is our recent conversation and where she is right now…
Ok let’s get started, and get this out of the way, do you remember sitting next to me years ago on a flight out of Philadelphia to Nashville, Tennessee? Was it sometime between 2010-2014?
I do remember! It was September 2014 actually and I recall that I was on my way back from Italy. That was the first time we met and I recognized your name from being a fan of Seth Walker!
I know we have known each other way before MySpace, so has it been over 15 years now?
It hasn’t been that long because before MySpace I was in high school, but hey, time is a blur!
How did you hear about me, all those years ago?
I remember seeing your name frequently commenting on Seth Walker’s posts. I knew you were a music fan or promoter of some sort!
When did you decide to move to Nashville and why?
I decided to move to Nashville in 2013 to get a fresh start in life and music. Obviously I knew Nashville was a music town but I also liked that it was centrally located for touring, which I was doing a whole lot of back then. In addition, at that time, it was a really affordable place to live. You could get a one bedroom apartment in a great part of town for $400 or $500 a month, which was unheard of in the northeast.
Of course, soon after I move to town that quickly changed and prices shot up, but that’s one of the things that got me there!
Where were you born and raised?
I was born and raised in a suburb of Philadelphia called Newtown, Pennsylvania. It’s a beautiful town that was founded in the 1600s and it was a wonderful place to grow up.
Tell us a little about how you were raised?
I was raised with an older brother, David, and an older sister, Anne-Marie. I had a pretty traditional upbringing, my dad is a business owner in New Jersey and my mom was a stay at home mom. There was a lot of music in the house, which was always encouraged, and we frequently traveled, had lots of animals, and grew up speaking Italian and that culture was a big part of our lives.
I had a great childhood, no complaints!
Do you recall your very first memory going on stage to sing?
The very first time I sang in front of people was in first grade when I auditioned for the talent show by singing the little mermaid theme song, but the music teacher thought I was a little bit too young yet, and I didn’t make it in. I tried out again in the fourth grade and ended up singing Bette Midler’s “Wind Beneath My Wings” acapella. Since there was no music backing me up, there were several times through my performance when the audience thought I was finished singing and they would clap. That went on a few times and it ended up being really funny. Several times after that in grade school, I performed in talent shows and then it wasn’t really again until I got to college that I started performing live.
How many Albums have you dropped in total and what made you switch gears to your present Cooking endeavors?
I have released 11 albums in total and the cooking endeavor was something unexpected, but was a natural pivot. During the pandemic period in 2020 all my tours were canceled, there wasn’t a whole lot of music happening. I needed another creative endeavor to turn to. I nurtured my love of cooking and incorporating to get more into social media. In March 2021, I decided to make it into a full-time business.
At first I remember everyone thinking you were going to open a restaurant, write a Cook Book or Star in your very own cooking show. However you admittingly, said NO to all of the above, can you tell us why?
I think it’s because I always had my mind on selling my products in retail. As this would allow me more independence and flexibility in my schedule. I have never wanted to be married to a restaurant, that has not changed at all. I would probably be open to having a cooking show and think that would be fun, that was never a dream, nor was writing a cookbook! I always imagine selling my products in supermarkets.
Please share the steps you went thru to establish and birth, Gina’s Italian Cuisine, and how this came about?
I didn’t really take many steps, it was just sort of a natural progression that grew out of the growing passion for cooking. As people started responding really well to my social media posts about food, I thought it would be a smart idea to start selling entrées to people, and after I started making money from it, I knew there was no going back. I sort of quickly and impulsively came up with a business name and the whole thing happened pretty fast. Ever since then I have experimented in different areas of the food business in an effort to find my focus, but the actual launch of the business wasn’t really done methodically. I just sort of dove right in, and I’m glad I did.
I know you had a struggle at first with giving up music, for this New Product you created. You really are a True Blues Singer and I now see you finding balance between the two. Can you share what this meant to you now and then and how you arrived balancing both?
Yes, at first it was a strange feeling that I was putting my focus into another endeavor because all I had ever wanted was to pursue singing, and as businesses started reopening, and my peers were going back out on tour, I felt kind of weird setting up at farmers markets, and no longer doing what I had been doing. But as my business grew and the music business continue to change and become more difficult, I became increasingly more proud and relieved that I was building something for myself for the future. I now make music and sing for the pure joy of it and that’s a really good place to be. Running my food business has completely taken the pressure I used to feel off of music and I’m really thankful for that.
Your family heritage goes back to your father and grandfather and I am sure way way further back still. What has this meant to you, as far as your heritage?
Yes, it goes back to my father, he was born and raised in southern Italy, so of course my grandfather was as well. My dad insisted that me and my siblings grew up, speaking the language and were surrounded by the music and the culture from a very early age. And of course, the food. I am extremely proud of my heritage and love being Italian, I would not have it any other way! And of course, this has influenced my business and my cooking.
When was the very first time you can remember performing in Italy, as a true artist on stage?
The first time I performed in Italy was in 2015, on a three week tour. The weather was extremely hot, but it was a wonderful experience and I loved touring through southern Italy and Sicily and getting to perform on stages that were both big and small. I’ve done it several times since then.
You continue to WOW ME, time and time again, please share ALL your recent accomplishments with your food endeavors and also your Musical merits to date?
I have some really strong momentum, going right now. I have recently been accepted onto the shelves of major retailers, and I am working on a national expansion. I have a food broker on the West Coast who is helping me in this expansion. I’ve worked hard to build my network both in Nashville and around the country to build awareness of my brand and my mission. Things are going well.
I just released my 11th studio album on Blue Elan Records, and it’s a tribute to my hero, another artist with an entrepreneurial spirit, Sam Cooke. The album has gotten a really positive response and some great reviews will be coming out soon. It’s a good time and I’m glad to be doing what I’m doing.
You now have three Gina’s Italian Cuisine sauces. And you are busy with offering homemade pasta and more, what’s next?
The ultimate goal is to have a complete line of low-carb, healthy Italian food products,from sauces to pasta, to frozen meals, snack, and desserts.
I will do this gradually, as expanding into different categories can be tricky, but my vision is really clear for where I want the business to go.
With your reputation and persistence, and I am sure, relentless tenacity, share with us how your Sauces landed in grocery stores, farmers markets, specialty stores and now Publix?
It was just through networking and meeting as many people as possible, and being persistent. In addition, I’ve worked hard to perfect my pitching skills and to really hone in on my focus so that my vision is both clear to me and to others. The grocery business, just like the music business, is not easy, and there’s a lot of competition, so either way, I haven’t chosen an easy path, but I’m learning a lot as I go and it’s actually kind of fun.
Would you say, you cook at home everyday and night? How often are you at home cooking?
Yeah I pretty much cook something every day of the week, I’m not huge on eating in restaurants so I much prefer cooking at home, plus it’s healthier and saves money! And plus, it’s a passion of mine and I love doing it, even on my days off it’s how I choose to spend my time. I love experimenting with new dishes and sharing photos and videos on social media.
You have found the love of your life while living in Nashville. Can you share how you both met and became engaged and then married?
Jeff and I met through music soon after I moved to town in 2013 and were friends for about seven years before we finally started dating in late 2020. We knew pretty soon after we started dating that we were the perfect match and were engaged seven months later. The rest is history!
When you and your husband Jeff, go out to eat, what are your favorite choices and do you tend to order entrees you yourself do not routinely cook?
We don’t really go out to eat that much, but when we do, it’s usually for something quick, like pizza or Mexican food. But of course we love dining out when we travel and yes, I do like to go to restaurants where there’s a cuisine I would probably not typically cook at home, like Asian or Indian food.
I have a hard time going to my Italian restaurants because I just end up thinking to myself, “I could’ve made this better at home for much cheaper.”
This may be a hard one however knowing you I have to ask, how many regions of Italy have you traveled too and where is your favorite so far?
I’ve traveled to over a handful of regions, from Sicily all the way up to Northern Italy, where I also have family. Southern Italy has a special place in my heart because that’s where my family is from and it’s really one of the most beautiful places in the country!
Where in Italy have you not been and plan to travel to, in the future?
I would love to spend more time in central Italy, in the Tuscany region, and would also like to explore more of Sicily. I try to stay away from most of the big tourist cities and prefer smaller towns and villages that are less frequented by American tourists! My bucket list of travel destinations is quite lengthy.
Getting back to music, how do Italian and European audiences differ from those in the USA?
I think European artists have an appreciation for American roots music that you just don’t find in the US. Perhaps it’s more of a novelty for them or maybe the music just resonates better with them for some reason, but they seem to be a lot more passionate about music and enthusiastic over blues, soul, jazz, and roots music! For that reason, it’s always a joy to perform for them.
How long does it take for you to book a Tour of Italy and when will you be returning back?
I hope to return to Italy next year to maybe do a couple shows! I couldn’t really say how long it takes because I’ve only done it a couple times but a lot of times shows are booked last minute. But yes, hope to return in 2026 to do some performing.
Do you and Jeff foresee yourselves buying property or a home in Italy, in the future?
I don’t think we’ll ever buy property in Italy, that doesn’t really seem necessary and would probably end up being more of a burden than it’s worth. We definitely plan on spending more extended time there in the future and furnished rentals are plentiful in all parts of the country, so that definitely seems like the way to go. We both have a strong connection to Italy, so it makes sense to spend more time there in the future!
What is in store both Musically and with Gina’s Italian Cuisine, moving forward?
I will continue to make music, record, and perform locally in Nashville as I work to expand my food business nationwide. My focus is on expanding into all major grocery stores and maybe in my free time I can record some songs or pick up some gigs when I feel like it. So that’s what the future holds, at least for the foreseeable future!
When you are not cooking, singing or traveling , what do you like to do and why?
I love doing hot yoga, I’ve been doing it for about eight years and it’s definitely one of my favorite things to do. I’m also passionate about the Italian language and spend much of my free time listening, reading, and speaking. That’s something I will continue to do the rest of my life. Other than that, just hanging out in Nashville with friends and enjoying the city!
Is there anything you would like to share that I failed to ask of you?
I don’t believe so, but if I think of anything, I will let you know… Thank you!
There you have it! When you are a person who loves to create, it seems to overlap in things you enjoy doing. Singing since the first grade due to being raised in a family that values the arts. Cooking right beside your parents and having this engrained in you from a very young age, one cannot help but pursue what comes naturally to them.
You do not have to exchange one talent for another when it comes to making life decisions. During the pandemic, it was a bittersweet time. Some people found themselves at a complete stop in life. While others found creative ways to express themselves and recreate a lifestyle that they might have just put on hold.
Thank you for sharing your experience with us, Gina. I am sure there will be nothing but progress ahead as you continue fulfilling your Cooking endeavors.
Bon appetite and give a listen to Gina’s 11th Album - A Tribute to Sam Cooke
For more on Gina, visit her website or her Facebook pages for music and food.
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