Thursday, Sep. 10, 2009
Balancing Act: Heidi-Lynn Golembewski Trial
Despite the seasonal influx of tourism, many living on the Grand Strand cite a small-town feel to the area. In varying degrees, people here either know everybody else or perhaps have heard of them. In the realm of entertainment, this small world gets smaller, and one tends to notice the same working performers in local event calendars. For the past three years, "the little girl with the big voice," Gabbie Rae Trial, now 11, has been a front-runner. From regular appearances as Hannah Montana for her tribute show at Broadway at the Beach to regular gigs with The Wow Factory and select solo performances at the Carolina Entertainment Complex, the bygone Cowboy's Nightlife, and other venues, Gabbie Rae has regularly entertained audiences of all ages, bringing her considerable vocal abilities to bear in this competitive market, even garnering a spot on the "Tyra Banks Show."
But not unlike Hannah Montana, this middle school student must strike a balance between performing, academics, family and community, and this is where mother and manager Heidi-Lynn Golembewski Trial comes in to play.
Since moving here from the Boston area with husband Roger Trial and daughter Gabbie Rae, Heidi-Lynn Trial hit the ground running, steeping herself in all things Myrtle Beach with a vengeance. "I just took over, like the mayor," she laughs. "It was very spontaneous that we came down here, and there was no master plan." Trial and her husband worked medical rescue in Massachusetts. "I left when I had Gabbie, and Roger had been on for almost 20 years, but he sustained a serious shoulder injury. After a couple of surgeries and they wouldn't clear him to return to duty." The time seemed right to move to a sunnier and more affordable destination.
After some homework, the Trials decided to look at the Myrtle Beach area, and things began to fall into place. A month after their cursory trip, the Grand Strand became home. "We knew no one - not one person," she says, "and we didn't know the area." This may have been a blessing in disguise.
By age 7, Gabbie Rae was performing regularly and was signed to the J Mitchell management Agency in New York. "But their deal was that you really had to live in New York City," she says. So we knew we were going to end that relationship, and thought that it would be the end of Gabbie doing anything." Providing a stable home environment for her daughter was priority one.
But soon after their arrival, Trial made a call to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans organization. "I told them that we were new in town and that my daughter was a wonderful vocalist and asked if they had any openings for the National Anthem." Gabbie Rae sang at the last game of the regular 2006 season. "It took off from there, and people went 'Oh my God - who is that child?'" A Theatre of the Republic Christmas show followed; as did a "junior icon" win at the Grand Strand Icon competition, a win at the Hard Rock Café's "Lead Singer Wanted" competition and an appearance in 2007 on Banks' "Little Kid, Big Talent" episode.
Trial is Gabbie Rae's de facto manager, but before one starts calling her a "momager" or stage mother, Trial stresses the fact that she strives for overall harmony. "I'm managing this child's life and creating a balance. School comes first in this house. Gabbie attends public school and maintains a straight A average. She loves music and teaching. When we're not playing out [Trial and husband are also musicians, backing up their daughter as part of the Wow Factory] she's in her room with all of her stuffed animals set up like a classroom - she's got her whiteboard and is just teaching away. When they have music class, she'll sing them a song."
Giving back to the community is also a high priority: "I want her to know how important it is to give back, and Gabbie is involved in any and every opportunity to fundraise and do benefits," she says. "And as a mom, I know that she will be applying for college one day, and that community work is going to be something that they will be looking at."
As if Trial isn't busy enough, she says she has recently transitioned into a new work situation as of June. "I'm contracted through a company called All One Health out of Boston. They placed me at International Paper in Georgetown. I love it. I support their occupational health clinics, which are made up of paramedics and nurses. I do administrative work and support in the role of EMT. They have 750 employees, and anything can happen in this mill, from a scratched finger to a serious accident. I love knowing that we are there to support these guys. It's a bit of a commute but well worth it and a great place to be," she says. "Roger is Mr. Mom. Our peace of mind is knowing that he's with Gabbie. They work together every day, rehearsing in our studio."
Although there is not much downtime, the Trials enjoy supporting local music, hitting up a water park or the beach in the summer or catching a movie. They plan on remaining on the Grand Strand. "Obviously, we hope to get a call one day from Nashville or L.A., but we'd like to keep something here. We are amazed that people save up all year to visit and we actually live here. We feel like we're on vacation all of the time."