Jace Nelson may only be 12 years old but he is accomplished beyond his years with a professional recording contract and a lead role in a soon to be released animated feature.
The young singer is not the only accomplished singer/actor in the family. His 10-year-old sister, Jimi, and nine-year-old brother, Kade, have been active backing Jace up vocally, and have had acting roles on CBC's Heartland.
“All of my grandkids are talented,” said grandmother Maggie Hewett, who lives with the rest of the family east of Innisfail. “Kade plays guitar for Jace, and Jimi sings backup. They all take guitar, dance, singing, piano and acting lessons so we have to home-school them to fit it all in.”
Jace's path started when Hewett began lessons for the kids when they were five years old.
“I have been singing since I was five, and when I was nine, I went to New York for a weeklong workshop,” said Jace. “I used to say I wanted to visit New York, now I want to live there and sing on Broadway. I have been to workshops in New York three times, and Los Angeles once now, and every time I come back a little better and more determined.”
The young singer's break came when he attended a workshop put on by Los Angeles producer Andrew Lane, who has been part of the success of Hannah Montana, the Backstreet Boys, and High School Musical.
“Andrew heard me sing in January of 2013, and he told me that he wanted to work with me,” said Nelson. “The result is four songs that we have recorded and near the end of September, we will go down to L.A. and record my first video, which will be released the end of October.”
The young singer has a fondness for hats, and during his last recording said, “I take my hat off to you,” which turned into a song the next day.
“I'm not sure if we are going to release an album, or singles,” said Nelson. “Andrew is hoping a major label will pick me up after we release the four singles, but we will see.”
Hewett noted that her grandson is more of an old-time rock and roll singer/crooner, pre-Elvis style, while Kade is a more traditional country and western singer.
Almost 10 years old, Jade is more of a guitar player than a singer/actor but his career goals so far are not set.
“I want to ranch, and if a chance to work in TV, film or on an album comes up, I will take it,” said Jade. “I enjoy acting and modelling, and we all have an agent so we don't have to look for opportunities, they come to us.”
Maggie and her husband, Gary Hewett, are very proud of their grandkids.
“Their mom, Andy and us work very hard to give them the opportunities to achieve something incredible in their lives,” said Maggie. “Jace knows what he wants to do, Kade is not sure, and Jimi is still young. Jace's success so far is opening doors for his brother and sister. We want to allow them to live their dreams, not ours.”
The month of October will be busy for the Nelson family with the video tentatively scheduled for release, and Jace's first book, Jake and the Snowman, will be released.
“Can you imagine if Walter Gretzky did not buy Wayne his first pair of skates?” asked Maggie. “We want to make sure Jace, Kade and Jimi don't miss any opportunities.”
