Today we’d like to introduce you to Ginger Leigh
Hi Ginger, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My Life of Music, Creativity, and Global Influence
I was born into a sixth-generation family of professional musicians in San Antonio and Austin, Texas, so creativity has always been in my blood. My grandmother, Jane Henry, sang with the Glenn Gray Orchestra and many others, and my mother was part of The Cones Sister, a dazzling three-part harmony group backed by a full big band. Music, performance, and artistry were a natural part of my upbringing, shaping the path I would take.
At just 15, I studied in Bavaria, Germany, igniting my passion for culture, travel, and artistic exploration. At 18, I lived in Milan, fully immersing myself in the European music and cultural scenes, and at 20, I was studied in Rome, making Italy something like a second home for me. I always say that I have one stiletto in Italy and one boot in Texas. This well-traveled, immersive lifestyle has deeply influenced not only my music but also my approach to interior design and storytelling.
As a touring and recording artist, post-University of Texas, my career has taken me all over the world, with my European tours often rooted in Italy, where I had Sony distribution, strong management, and an enthusiastic following, especially with The Ginger & Sarah Band! Beyond music, I’ve built a second career in interior design, transforming homes, vacation rentals, and luxury spaces with the same passion, vision, and artistry I bring to the stage.
With all of the above, I’ve also created, produced, hosted and performed numerous events including the Blu Party for Formula One race weekend in Austin, as well as philanthropic endeavors like “Love. at the Stateside” and “Concerts for Austin Charities.” With a global perspective, a rich artistic lineage, and an unstoppable creative drive, I am more than a musician—I am a multi-creative, a storyteller, and I bring passion to both music and design and all that goes with it!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Navigating the Shifting Landscape of the Music Industry
Being at the crux of the music industry’s paradigm shift—from traditional record deals and radio play to digital distribution and self-production—I witnessed firsthand how the game changed completely. Suddenly, anyone with a MacBook, GarageBand, and some tuning software could release music. The barriers that once kept artists waiting for industry approval were gone, which was both liberating and overwhelming.
On the one hand, we no longer needed to be vetted by labels, A&R reps, and radio stations—we could take control of our own careers. But on the other hand, with no filters or quality control, the market became oversaturated, and music itself started to lose its monetary value. Instead of selling CDs, artists had to pivot to selling merch and experiences just to cover costs. The struggle wasn’t just making music—it was figuring out how to make it profitable in a digital world that had suddenly democratized the industry.
At the beginning of this shift, I was still performing with Sarah Dashew as part of The Ginger & Sarah Band. We embraced the digital world early—we were among the first local-level musicians to have a real website, which I built and updated manually in HTML, uploading everything via FTP. Before blogging was mainstream, we had already created our own online journal, sharing stories and updates with fans. We saw the potential of social media marketing, using Myspace and Friendster to connect with our audience at a time when the idea of “online promotion” was still in its infancy.
We were ahead of the curve, but when the band split, I moved back from LA to Texas, rebranded under my own name, and started again from scratch. By then, the digital world had exploded, and while we had a head start, the challenge remained the same—how do you stand out in an endless sea of music?
The reality is, the music business is no longer just about music. It’s about branding, content creation, engagement, and adaptability. The struggle isn’t just getting heard—it’s staying relevant in a constantly shifting landscape. And yet, through all of these changes, one thing remains true: real artistry, hard work, and authentic connection will always rise above the noise.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
A Life of Music, Design, Events, and Giving Back
I have always lived a multi-creative life, blending music, interior design, event production, and philanthropy into a career that reflects my passion for artistry, connection, humanity and transformation.
As a musician, being that I am a 6th-generation professional artist who has been performing, touring, and recording since I was young, my career has taken me around the world including the US, Europe and New Zealand. My musical versatility is one of my greatest strengths—I perform everything from pop to rock to country to jazz. My 9-piece jazz variety ensemble, Straight Up with a Ginger Twist, is a high-energy, show-stopping experience where Bette Midler meets Etta James, featuring four horns, upright bass, piano, drums, guitar, and powerhouse vocals. Whether performing with a rock band, my jazz ensemble, or as a solo artist, I create a dynamic, immersive show that blends deep storytelling, humor, and raw emotion.
Beyond music, I have built a thriving career in interior design, bringing my eye for aesthetics and function to homes, vacation rentals, and hospitality spaces. My background in design started early—I supported myself while at The University of Texas at Austin by managing remodel projects. Later, I helped found and grow Jane Reece Interiors in Austin, where I worked alongside her brilliant skills for a decade and a half before launching my own firm, Gin & Juice Home, specializing in staging, interior design, and renovations, alongside Realtor/Broker, Rebecca Gindele. I love creating spaces that feel luxurious, inviting, and effortless—whether it’s setting up a secondary home down to the last fork and spoon or curating a beautifully designed space that reflects a client’s personal style. A person’s home is a reflection of who they are, much like a person’s taste in music can tell you a lot about the individual.
I’m also deeply involved in event production and philanthropy. I’ve helped curate and host fundraisers, concerts, and large-scale events, often blending my performance background with my organizational and style expertise. Whether I’m producing a show, designing a space, or bringing people together for a cause, my work is about connection, creativity, and impact.
What Sets Me Apart?
I bring a global perspective. Especially in my youth, the international influence helped shape my approach to music, design, and events, allowing me to blend cultures, styles, and creative techniques seamlessly. I also thrive at the intersection of creativity and strategy, combining artistry, business sense, and an innate ability to bring exciting experience to fruition.
What Am I Most Proud Of?
I take the greatest pride in my ability to evolve, adapt, and create—across multiple industries, through life’s highs and lows, and in the face of unexpected challenges. Whether I’m performing on stage, designing a home, producing an event, or supporting a cause, my goal remains the same: to create something meaningful, memorable, and impactful.
One of my happiest performance experiences was playing Maureen in RENT at Zach Theatre. It was a physically and mentally demanding role, but also one of the most rewarding. After an exhilarating 55-show run, I closed out 2010 by hosting a group of 10 people on a trip to Italy, where John Pointer and I performed in a theater near Genoa, in the town of Albenga. Organizing the trip was another challenge, but it was incredibly fulfilling to share a slice of Italy with friends and fans alike.
Shortly after returning home, life took an unexpected turn—I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was a daunting realization that I would face countless doctor visits, surgeries, and time away from the stage. But I wasn’t alone. A deeply authentic and caring community of friends, family, and fans surrounded me with love, encouragement, and unwavering support. They reminded me to face this challenge with courage.
I am eternally grateful to The Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM), whose preventative healthcare access played a pivotal role in my early diagnosis. Without them, I might not have caught the cancer as soon as I did. They also helped relieve some of the financial burden of hospital bills, allowing me to focus on healing instead of worrying.
Looking back, I’m incredibly proud of how I navigated the challenges of that time, but I know one thing for certain—I didn’t do it alone. It was community, resilience, and the power of support that carried me through. And for that, I am forever grateful.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Crisis
The COVID-19 pandemic taught me many difficult, sometimes funny, and often profound lessons. On the lighter side, I discovered that I can build things with my own hands—though I jokingly call my work “Don’t Look Too Closely Construction.” In my professional world, I always have experts handling the details, but during lockdown, I found myself swinging hammers, hanging drywall, building walls, a deck, and even a tool shed. It was both humbling and oddly satisfying to learn new hands-on skills and practice the ones I already knew quite well.
But beyond the silliness of DIY projects, 2020 was one of the most challenging years of my life. My family and I lost my father suddenly in January, just before the wave of COVID cases surged across the U.S. and lockdowns began. I had friends who lost parents to COVID early on, and we all lived in fear, uncertainty, and grief as we tried to navigate this strange, isolating new reality.
We created small, trusted pods of friends and family—those we could still see and share some form of human connection with. But that came with a deep sense of trust—we had to believe in each other’s caution and responsibility, knowing that one careless moment could put someone we loved in danger. At first, we weren’t sure how much damage COVID-19 could do, but soon we watched hundreds of thousands of lives lost, then into the millions.
At the same time, we witnessed leadership in Washington downplay the crisis, spread misinformation, and even suggest injecting disinfectant into our bodies. Instead of uniting, like the country did after 9/11, we fractured. Many in the country and in leadership roles turned a public health crisis into a political war. The pandemic didn’t just take human lives—it took relationships, trust, and our ability to listen to one another without anger or defensiveness.
But through it all, we adapted. We learned how to trust, how to cope with loneliness, and hell, we all became experts at using Zoom. We adjusted, learned, and rebuilt—but not without scars.
Coming out of the pandemic, I remember my first live show back. It was in Dallas, and during soundcheck, I suddenly felt completely overwhelmed. After a lifetime of performing, I found myself on the edge of panic, unaccustomed to the energy of a live room after so much isolation. I had to step backstage to reset, which was surreal for someone who has spent decades on stage. Eventually, though, the rhythm of normalcy crept back in, and we all found ways to return to life, even if some things will never quite be the same.
The pandemic changed all of us—our perspectives, our relationships, and our sense of security in the world. But through the loss, division, and uncertainty, it also reinforced the power of resilience, adaptation, and human connection.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.thegingerleigh.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/thegingerleigh
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thegingerleighATX
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gingerleigh/
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/gleigh
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/gingerleighmusic
- Other: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/ginger-leigh/122033073
Image Credits
Candice Ghai Photography
Deann Hoeft
Kasey Headland
Dave Pedley
