Singer-songwriter and actor Stacy Gabel recently unveiled her new single/music video, “Merry Christmas My Friends,” an ode to her hometown in eastern Pennsylvania.
Growing up in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, everyone in Gabel’s life knew she would amount to greatness, as she won the ‘Most Likely to be Famous’ superlative in high school! Gabel attended the American Musical and Dramatic Academy for musical theater studies in New York before transferring to Kutztown University to study telecommunications.
Before acting, Gabel produced a wide variety of television shows for networks such as Nickelodeon and MTV. As a member of SAG/AFTRA, she has performed in various films and television shows, most notably Charmed and General Hospital.
In 2017, Gabel released “Two Hearts One Soul,” followed by a series of evocative singles. At the beginning of 2023, she dropped her debut EP, Straight to Voicemail.
The video for “Merry Christmas My Friends” contains all the aspects of your favorite Christmas movie. The visuals take us into her perfect Christmas world, featuring picturesque views and bright stars. We quickly turn to see those living there enjoying the Christmas activities and scenery with nothing but smiles on their faces.
Guitar Girl Magazine caught up with Stacy Gabel to find out more about the inspiration for “Merry Christmas My Friends” and her writing process.
What three things can’t you live without?
My phone, my car, and my pocket calendar.
Why do you make music?
To entertain and to connect with and inspire others.
What inspired your new single/music video, “Merry Christmas My Friends?”
Christmas is my favorite time of year. I’ve been traveling a lot this past year to promote my EP and the new Great Escape song and tour. The song and video were 100% fully produced in and around my hometown. I wanted to show appreciation to my friends back home and to all who have supported me along the way on my musical journey.
Who directed the video and where was it shot?
Alan Sylvestre was my videographer, and the video was shot in the Christmas City of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and also at the Lehigh Valley Zoo during their Winter Lights Spectacular event at holiday time.
How did you get started in music?
I was classically trained and continued my vocal training in NYC at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy for Musical Theater. I recorded songs as a kid and since then have worked in TV/Film production both in front and behind the camera, lending my voice to commercials and TV/Film projects.
What kind of guitar do you play?
A Martin Guitar. The factory is in my home state in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. However, I bought my first Martin in Los Angeles.
What inspires your writing? Do you draw inspiration from poems, music, TV, or other media?
Anything and everything. I have written songs that were inspired by people I’ve met, places I’ve visited, and things I’ve seen. I’m always writing. But they don’t all get cut.
What can you share about your writing process?
Usually, if I get inspired to write about a certain topic or if I have a great lyric line, I’ll grab my guitar or run to the piano and never leave until I have some semblance of a song. If I can’t finish writing a song within a couple of days, the ideas get tossed into a pile to be sorted through at a later time when I have nothing else to do – which hasn’t happened yet.
Which artists in your opinion are killing it right now?
Taylor Swift of course! Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, Lana Del Rey…so many extremely talented women out there are killing it!
How do you define success?
To me, success is achieving the goals you’ve set for yourself. At the end of the day, if you accomplished something or improved or bettered yourself and are moving in a forward direction, then you have achieved success.
What can your fans look forward to over the next six months? Music videos? Live gigs? New material?
Yes, Yes, and Yes – All of those things. Keep following!
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