IT has been more than a decade since GINA JEFFREYS won the TOYOTA STAR MAKER QUEST , a win that spelled the start of a remarkable career.
While she continues to reign supreme in the Australian country music industry, it was not until early 2003 that Jeffreys delivered her biggest achievement.
In early January Jeffreys and her producer husband ROD McCORMACK became the proud parents of a baby boy named JACKSON .
Since the birth, Jeffreys has been taking some time out of the limelight to enjoy her new role as a mother and settle into a new house.
But living up to her reputation as one of the hardest-working artists in the music business, Jeffreys is set to embark on her first concert tour since the birth.
Fans will have the chance to see Jeffreys when she performs at TORONTO WORKERS CLUB on February 7.
Last year, the video for her hit single Angel took out the Video of the Year category at the TOYOTA GOLDEN GUITAR AWARDS in Tamworth.
Her latest Golden Guitar, which is her fourth, topped off a magical decade for the princess of country music.
The video was part of a huge splash which saw her last album Angel receive widespread media attention and strong radio airplay.
It was a finalist for this year's Best Selling Album Golden Guitar and has already spawned several hits, including the title track Angel and Break My Heart, I'm the One You're Gonna Miss and the more recent Just Like the Moon .
Jeffreys said she wanted to pursue new musical avenues with the album.
``We allowed each song to evolve into a l e of its own,'' Jeffreys said.
``The album is a very eclectic collection of songs, but the common thread is my voice and the fact that they all reflect very real and sometimes complex emotions.
``We wanted the album to be earthy and natural, to be understated and elegant so it would speak for itself,'' she said.
While planning her impending parenthood, Jeffreys felt it was an apt time to look back at the successes of the past 12 years.
With five albums under her belt, Jeffreys decided to bring together her biggest hits and favourite songs on a best of compilation album titled Gina Jeffreys .
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Since signing with ABC Country, Jeffreys has enjoyed a dream run, gathering an impressive collection of accolades.
She has picked up four Tamworth Golden Guitars, four MO AWARDS for live performance, an APRA AWARD , two VICTORIAN COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS and CMT Video of the Year Award for Dancin' With Elvis .
Her first four albums, The Flame, Up Close, Somebody's Daughter and Christmas Wish , have all been hits with her loyal base of fans and collected numerous gold and platinum awards.
She has had a string of top-10 singles since 1993 when her first hit song Two Stars Fell was released and the following year saw her take out the first of several Golden Guitars for female vocalist of the year.
She has also been one of the most in-demand country performers in Australia, appearing at everything from civic receptions to CAROLS BY CANDELIGHT to all the major country music festivals in Australia.
Jeffreys will be supported by local trio BELLA at Toronto Workers Club next month.
The show starts at 8.
30pm and tickets are $25 and available from the club on 4959 2011.
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